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[…] to her lawyer. Current officials/candidates were coerced to condemn and shame me. I feel my First Amendment rights were abridged when she used her public influence and government officials to silence and condemn me. I have no form of social media. I don't know how my email was intercepted. I feel I should have […]

[…] sorry that we will not be able to help you with that particular questions. Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question.  Generally, the First Amendment applies only to government actors, and since shopping centers are often privately owned, many of the broad First Amendment rights associated with public spaces such as parks and public sidewalks do not necessarily apply.  That said, there are situations where First Amendment […]

[…] the legislative body fails to correct the action within the requisite time period, you must file the lawsuit within 15 days. Please see the provisions of California Government Code 54960.1 regarding the particulars of the timeline.Alternatively, you can seek an injunction/declaration for the purpose of stopping or preventing violations or threatened violations under California […]

[…] you can also respond to the agency with arguments of your own. My guess is that the agency may be claiming the so-called "catch-all" exemption, found in Government Code section 6255.   This exemption requires a strong showing that on the facts of the particular case, the public interest in withholding the record from public view […]

I am not aware of any changes in the law that would allow the City Council to refuse to comply with the requirements of the Brown Act. Government Code § 54954.2(a)(2) continues to prohibit agencies from voting on or even discussing an issue that is not on the agenda for a regular meeting ("No action or […]

[…] the agency will be required to pay your attorney’s fees. Gov't Code § 6259(d). Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

[…] requester shall execute a declaration to that effect under penalty of perjury. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit or limit a scholarly, journalistic, political, or government use of address information obtained pursuant to this paragraph. Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries.  […]

[…] letter can be found on the FAC website at https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/brown-act/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-brown-act/template-for-brown-act-complaint/. Holme Roberts & Owen LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to First Amendment Coalition hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

The Freedom of Information Act requires that a government agency produce existing records that are not otherwise exempt.  5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2).  The FOIA applies to existing documents, but nothing in the act requires that an agency produce or compile new records for the benefit of the requesting party.  If an agency denies an individual’s […]