Asked & Answered

Q: I filed a complaint alleging the violation of the corporate practice of medicine by a large California Corporation. The complaint was filed with the Medical Board of California. After many months I was informed the case was closed. I asked for access to their files of the investigation and was informed that it was exempt from disclosure California Government Code § 6254 (f). My interpretation of the statute is that it refers to law enforcement

Q: My laptop was taken in a burglary.  When the police located it, it had been bought and sold twice people who had it innocently bought it off Craig’s List. Those people are listed as “witness” on the police report. Police refuse to identify them to me because 1) they don’t release witness identities 2) release their identity to me would endanger them (witnesses). Needless to say, the identity of people who had access to my most

Q: Several months ago the city council majority changed the public comments procedure to make it more difficult for all that wanted to make comments to do so. At a recent council meeting, they changed the ordinance regarding conduct during city council meetings, and more specifically the conduct while addressing the council. For example, if the mayor, in his personal view, decides your comments are disruptive because they are repetitive or that they are repeating the comments of

Q: I have a question about police records you may be able to help with. I’m trying to verify the identities of some homicide victims, four years after the crime. I’ve asked for the name and date of birth of the victims, but the department says they may not release the info. Do you know if and when they must release that information? Is it when the investigation is complete? And a related question: Does

Q: Does a request for public records of public hearings of department of Animal Services include tape recordings of hearing made by hearing examiner? A: As you may know, under the Public Records Act, public records — which include “any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics,” Gov’t Code section 6252(e) — are presumed