Kern County Superior Court Agrees to Ensure Public Access During Pandemic
Agreement comes after FAC, ACLU file First Amendment lawsuit
January 11, 2021
FAC’s greatest asset is in the legal wisdom and experience accrued over 30 years of successfully holding governments accountable at the local, state, and federal levels, supporting journalists and educating citizens on how to enforce their First Amendment rights
Recent Wins
Kern County Superior Court Rescinds Public Access Ban
The Kern County Superior Court has rescinded a problematic order used for months to block people from entering its courthouses, an important step in restoring the public’s First Amendment right
July 15, 2020
Victory: California Appeal Court Orders Records Unsealed
A California appeal court today issued an important opinion affirming the public’s right of access to court records. The Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles sided with FAC
April 15, 2020
FAC Wins Important Ruling for Police Transparency in California
The First Amendment Coalition won an important legal victory in its year-long effort to enforce California’s landmark police transparency law, with an appeals court saying the public has a right
January 30, 2020
Legal Initiatives
FAC conducts a program of strategic litigation by initiating “test case” lawsuits to resolve key legal issues in a way that maximizes chances for a favorable outcome, with far-reaching effects. Go to Strategic Litagation
FAC weighs in on issues in already-filed cases through the submission of amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs. We also enlist other organizations and interested parties to join our amicus briefs. Go to Amicus Briefs
The Legal Hotline gives users quick, free access to FAC’s lawyers for questions about access to public records; your right to attend public meetings; access to court documents and proceedings. Go to Legal Hotline
Asked & Answered is a searchable database of questions posed by users about open government laws, and First Amendment safeguards that have been answered by FAC’s attorney. Go to Asked & Answered
The S.D.I. aims to provide pro bono or reduced-rate counsel trained in the intricacies of subpoena defense to defend journalists—particularly those from independent and nonprofit media outlets. Go to Subpoena Defense