Release of mug shots Q: I’m seeking a booking photo on a person. The jail said they can’t release the mug unless there is a conviction. Is this true? A: Our position is that the mug shots have to be provided, but that the AG has taken the position that it is discretionary. In any event, there is no statute preventing the release.
Bring your own copier? Q: I have a question regarding the CA Public Records Act. We have put in a records request to a county government agency and are planning to visit the agency on Thursday to photocopy some documents. However, the agency is insisting that we not bring our own photocopier (which we normally do on such requests and which has not been an issue before). Our question: is there anything in the CA
Q: I want to listen to a tape recording of a meeting of the Fire District Board of Directors (they are elected). I have been told the recording is not public record. Don’t they have to make it available for 30 days? A: Yes, Code sec. 54953.5(b) requires agency to keep any recordings for at least 30 days and to treat such recordings as public records unless and until they are erased or destroyed (which
Counsel for a school board Q: I am reporter and seeking advice about what I can do to request information from our local school district. Recently our school board hired a lawyer to formulate legal opinion about a particular school board policy. The opinion is in, but they refuse to share the information, citing attorney-client privilege. Is there any way around this? Is this in fact legal? A: The California Public Records Act, Government Code
Political Reform Act case records Q: I asked our District Attorney for information allowed by Gov Code 6254 (f)(2) on Political Reform Act cases. She gave only closed cases, saying giving me anything on open cases would endanger the investigation. Do you agree? A: Under the California Public Records Act, certain law enforcement information can be properly withheld. Specifically, under California Government Code section 6254(f), records of complaints and investigations of law enforcement agencies may