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Asked & Answered

A&A: Are Search & Rescue Board Meetings subject to Brown Act?

FAC September 8, 2015

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”84622″ img_size=”full size” link=”https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2015/09/aa-are-search-rescue-board-meetings-subject-to-brown-act/”][vc_column_text] Q: Our Search and Rescue team is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation, includes only volunteer members, operates under the Sheriff’s Office and uses their facilities/vehicles, raises public donations, and includes two Sheriff Deputy Sergeants on the seven person Search and Rescue Board (they are not on the County Board). Are we subject to the Brown Act? [/vc_column_text][ult_buttons btn_title=”Exercise your right to know! Ask FAC’s Legal Hotline your own question!” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Ffacelementor.wpengine.com%2Flegal-hotline||” btn_align=”ubtn-center” btn_size=”ubtn-custom” btn_width=”630″ btn_height=”70″ btn_padding_left=”10″

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A&A: Does the Brown Act apply to city council appointed committees?

FAC August 15, 2015

Q:  Does the Brown Act apply to city council appointed committees?  If it does, how is a city supposed to conduct the necessary extended deliberations critical to producing good decisions regarding (among other things) public services and expenditures of public funds? A: Whether the Brown Act’s meeting requirements apply to committees created by the city council depends on whether the particular committee may be defined as a “legislative body.” Under the Brown Act, a “legislative body”

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A&A: Can a newspaper be sued for the content of a letter to the editor?

FAC August 14, 2015

Q: I am a owner and publisher of a local community newspaper. We printed a letter to the editor that named a person in the community and mentioned their family in regards to legal matters and other issues they were dealing with. Now the person the letter referenced is suing my newspaper, claiming defamation of character. Not sure what my rights are or if I should be worried. A: There are many defenses to defamation, though of course we’d

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A&A Can the city legally refuse to fulfill my request unless I use their form?

FAC August 13, 2015

Q: My city will not fulfill a request for documents made via email.  They insist that I first fill out their request form. I have made email requests to other government entities for years and other than delays I have received my documents. Can the city legally refuse to fulfill my email request? Is there state code that I can site that prevents them from refusing to comply unless I fill out their form? A: I

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A&A: City Council editing public meeting videos

FAC July 30, 2015

Q:  I went to a Police Commission hearing to file a complaint with the police department.  I spoke from a prepared speech. No one did a thing. At the end of the meeting no one addressed my request for a proper complaint. I then asked the chief of police three times for a complaint. He had an officer escort me into an interrogation room. They took my contact information. No recording as required or the triplicate form. I go online and

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