Asked & Answered

Q: My request request for mugshot demographics data was denied by the California Department of Corrections. I sent specific data parameters for this information along with my name address and telephone number and received a telephone call from someone in the state archives denying my request. I was told the request was denied because it was not submitted on letterhead. I explained that I was requesting the information as a private citizen and did not have letterhead. Can

Q: I’ve recently been confronted with how terrible journalistic protocol is around telling the stories of rape and assault survivors. The nature of the crimes committed against them mean that they’re often uncorroborated or unwitnessed and the hostile environment of the internet means that victims who come forward at all are hounded. Is there a way for me to tell the stories of rape and assault survivors and still protect them? Can I out an abuser

Q:  I am working with a community organization that has filed public records requests with the School District asking for certain data pertaining to enrollment statistics for a subset of their total population. We have reason so believe that the information they have provided is inaccurate. One indicator, for example, is that they have provided wildly varying data depending upon the forum in which they are presenting the data. Is there a way to challenge

Q:  This case concerns two opposing ballot arguments filed regarding a county measure, both from bona fide organizations. The elections official decided to evaluate the “quality” of the two arguments, as a means of selecting one for publication. He did not consider flipping a coin or random drawing. He had no decision matrix or identified factors used in making his “evaluation.” He decided to select the argument that addressed a range of issues, instead of the

Q: Under the CA Public Records Act, are not-for-profit charter schools required to comply? Are any not-for-profit (public, private, charter, etc.) required to comply? A: I’ll address your questions in reverse order.  With respect to your second question regarding whether schools are subject to the PRA depends on a few things.  Generally in our experience, non-profit charter schools that are funded with taxpayer dollars are, more often than not, subject to the California Public Records