Search Results

Showing 761 - 770 of 1787 results

Asked and Answered

CPRA

Requests for applications of public positions

I live in a City with a deep history of closed government.The City Clerk has just notified me that I can not review (partially redacted) copies of job applications of the director of the City's planning department. I will not be allowed to see anything.It is my understanding that CFAC's stance is that I […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Incomplete labor exemption codes within School District closed session agenda

[…] the meeting of the body." The Brown Act, Open Meetings For Local Legislative Bodies, Office of the Attorney General (2003), at pp. 16-17. I agree that merely listing Government Code Section 54957, without any other designation, may be unclear. Pursuant to Gov't Code § 54957(b), a closed session may be held to consider the appointment, […]

March 24, 2016
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Expressive conduct at International Airport

[…] place and manner restriction. For example, if there are restrictions on speech that are applied evenly and without regard to the content of the speech, then the government may impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on the speech provided it demonstrate the restriction is (i) narrowly tailored, (ii) serves a significant government interest, […]

April 21, 2016
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

What does Brown Act say about board members’ having secret affair?

[…] action by just two of the members will implicate the Brown Act. Bryan Cave 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.

January 9, 2013
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

City Planning Commission failure to address public comment

The Brown Act serves to facilitate public participation in all phases of local government decision-making, and to curb misuse of the democratic process by secret legislation of public bodies. Bell v. Vista Unified School Dist., 82 Cal. App. 4th 672 (2000). The Act provides the opportunity at each meeting for the public to "directly address […]

April 11, 2016
Asked and Answered

CPRA Police Records

Are police dashboard-cam videos exempt from the CPRA?

[…] video was indeed part of a police investigation – either relating to the juvenile or the officer – then the police department can claim an exemption under Government Code 6254(f). And, even more unfortunately, once a record becomes part of an investigatory file, it is exempt from disclosure forever under the Public Records Act, […]

March 18, 2015
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Reporter seeks access to court proceedings involving police personnel records

[…] attorney to see what options you may have for challenging the closure of these proceedings. 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.

August 31, 2016
Asked and Answered

First Amendment

Parents Want to Shield Kids from ProLife Protest Signage at Florida Elementary Schools

[…] forums is protected by the First Amendment and can only be restricted if a high standard is met. In either a traditional or designated public forum, the government may restrict the time, place and manner of the speech through reasonable regulations, as long as enforcement is content neutral. Content neutral restrictions are those that […]

April 3, 2018
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Are draft reports exempt under CPRA?

[…] agency in the ordinary course of business, if the public interest in withholding those records clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure."Govt. Code Section 6454(a). Although some government personnel mistakenly believe that any "draft" document is automatically subject to this exemption, reading the text of the statute itself indicates that the exemption only applies […]

February 17, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Are letters to legislators public?

[…] owned, used, or retained by the Legislature." Govt. Code 9072(c). A "writing" is broadly defined and includes letters. Govt. Code § 9072(d). Not all writings must be disclosed, Government Code section 9075 identifies numerous categories of documents need not be disclosed. This list includes letters sent by private citizens to the legislature. Govt. Code § 9075(j). […]

July 14, 2014