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Showing 11 - 20 of 141 results

Asked and Answered

CPRA

Can I be charged fees for downloading court records posted online?

Riverside Superior Court changes fees to search and acquire court records through its website. This wasn't always the case. Several years ago this service was provided for free, and that seems to still be the case in other counties. For the past three budget years, these fees have meant additional annual revenue for the […]

February 4, 2014
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Using the CPRA to access list of alcoholic beverage licensees

[…] for the search and retrieval of records. Agencies that produce copies of records are permitted to charge "direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee if applicable." Gov’t Code § 6253(b). A "direct cost of duplication" generally does not include search and retrieval time, but does include maintenance costs and the salary of the clerk for time spent copying. See North County […]

June 13, 2016
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Acceptable fees for public records

Under the Public Records Act ("PRA"), the district may only charge a fee "covering direct costs of duplication" (or a statutory fee). Government Code § 6253(b). But the courts have held that the "direct cost" generally does not include search and retrieval time. North County Parents Organization v. Department of Education, 23 Cal. App. 4th […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

CPRA

University claims to have a year to respond to document requests

[…] for a copy of a public record; the time for responding can be extended by the agency for an additional 14 days in "unusual circumstances."Gov't Code § 6253(b) and (c).This section goes on to state: "No notice shall specify a date that would result in an extension for more than 14 days. When the agency […]

January 4, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Can a fee be charged for requesting public documents held in storage?

The city may argue that charges for retrieval are based on the allowance of a "statutory fee" under Government Code § 6253(b). However, California courts have not ruled on what constitutes a "statutory fee." It seems obvious that a "statutory fee" must be one set forth in a "statute," that is a law passed by the […]

June 12, 2014
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Public Availability and Destruction of Temporary or Handwritten Notes

[…] be deemed to be a transcript, exemplification, or certified copy, as the case may be, of the original. You also requested information regarding the availability of attorney's fees should you challenge the Director's actions. If you ultimately determine/believe that the city has withheld the records improperly, you have the option of filing a lawsuit […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Charged a fee for viewing documents? Is that legal?

[…] any public record, except as hereafter provided. Gov't Code § 6253(a).Public agencies may charge a fee "covering direct costs of duplication" (or a statutory fee).Gov't Code § 6253(b). As for charging the public for the right to merely inspect records, the agency may be on shaky ground.By its own terms, the PRA does not seem […]

May 4, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Is it legal to charge fees for viewing a transcript?

[…] public record, except as hereafter provided. Gov't Code § 6253(a). Public agencies may charge a fee "covering direct costs of duplication" (or a statutory fee).Gov't Code § 6253(b).As for charging the public for the right to merely inspect records, the agency may be on shaky ground. By its own terms, the PRA does not […]

October 21, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

School district claims too busy to fulfill document request

[…] a copy of a public record; the time for responding can be extended by the agency for an additional 14 days in "unusual circumstances." Gov't Code § 6253(b) and (c). This section goes on to state: "No notice shall specify a date that would result in an extension for more than 14 days. When the […]

August 18, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Charging for Electronic Records

[…] that unless a particular statutory fee has been established for copies of a record, agencies can charge fees "covering the direct costs of duplication." Govt. Code § 6253(b). In the context of paper copies, a California court has said that "he direct cost of duplication is the cost of running the copy machine, and conceivably […]

June 14, 2009