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Showing 451 - 460 of 1786 results

Asked and Answered

CPRA

Why did one county deny a PRA request that most others quickly fulfill?

[…] from local business’s in the area. Here is what I sent: 5/21/2013 RE: Public Records Request Dear City Clerk, Pursuant to the California Public Records Act ( Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), I hereby formally request to obtain a copy the following, which I understand to be held by your agency: All Backflow […]

July 25, 2013
Asked and Answered

Brown Act Newsgathering

Community Association claims parks are private; city says they’re public

[…] Improvement Dist., 87 Cal. App. 4th 862 (2001). I hope this information is helpful. 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.

July 17, 2013
Asked and Answered

Brown Act First Amendment

Board retailiating against former colleague who called them on Brown Act violations

[…] about insurance, until finally I received notice that I would no longer have access to my hanger although the rent was always paid in full and on time. Who helps citizens in my situation? Any gov agency? Legal group? I can’t afford to hire an atty to fight a government agency with unlimited funds. Thanks

August 21, 2011
Asked and Answered

Brown Act CPRA

Access to City Manager’s compensation denied

[…] made public. See International Federation of Professional Engineers v. Superior Court, 42 Cal. 4th 319, 331 (2007) ("[t]he 'broadly based and widely accepted community norm[]' applicable to government employee salary information is public disclosure"). Although there is an exemption for "personnel" records under the Act that public agencies routinely invoke when they believe a […]

July 28, 2011
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Do US firms working abroad uphold the First Amendment?

[…] restrictions on governmental entities.Sometimes the actions of private entities can implicate individuals' First Amendment rights, but it is a bit unusual to speak in terms of the government prosecuting corporate First Amendment offenders. Holme Roberts & Owen LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to First Amendment Coalition hotline inquiries. […]

October 12, 2010
Asked and Answered

Newsgathering

Can police videotape me in my home without consent?

[…] (a) (full text below). The term "person" in the statute is defined to include "an individual acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of any government or subdivision thereof," which would seem to include law enforcement personnel. Penal Code § 632 (b). Note, however, that there are a number of carve-outs related […]

December 2, 2011
Asked and Answered

Newsgathering

Can police use hidden cameras to videotape the public without consent?

[…] (full text below in italics).The term "person" in the statute is defined to include "an individual acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of any government or subdivision thereof," which would seem to include law enforcement personnel.Penal Code § 632 (b). Note, however, that there are a number of carve-outs related to […]

October 26, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA School Records

School personnel campaigning on public dime

[…] the public can request public records directly without any legal assistance.California's Public Records Act is designed to allow members of the public inspect documents related to the government's handling of the public business and does not require much at all in the way of formalities.There is not even a requirement that requests be made […]

October 27, 2010
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Charter board meetings flout Brown Act rules

[…] §54957.7. You may want to review the various circumstances under which closed sessions may be held, which are contained in the sections 54956.7 - 54957.8 of the Government Code. As for reporting out, the Act embraces the idea that action taken in permissible closed sessions should, in most circumstances, be reported to the public […]

June 8, 2011
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Can businesses ban Google Glass?

[…] prohibition by a private entity would pass muster. That is because First Amendment standards are much lower when it comes to private individuals and businesses. Thus, while the government would have to meet a very high standard to justify the prohibition of the wearing of Glass on government property, the same standard would not apply […]

August 15, 2014