California Municipal Law Blog
by Czarmaine C. Majan on September 3, 2025
posted in
Law Enforcement, Pitchess Motions,
A Pitchess Motion is a procedural tool used in both criminal and civil cases to seek the discovery of specific information contained in confidential personnel files of peace officers. Pitchess is used typically in criminal cases in an effort to support the defense’s case and/or to impeach an officer who may testify as a material witness.
Although California Penal Code Section 832.7 has opened specific categories of peace officer records to public disclosure, Pitchess Motions remain highly relevant. This is because many forms of officer misconduct still fall outside the statute’s automatic ... Continue Reading
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by Tyler J. Sherman on August 14, 2025
posted in
Law Enforcement, Police Pursuits,
Tens of thousands of police pursuits occur every year in California according to data from the California Highway Patrol. Hundreds can result in serious crashes causing death or injury to officers, civilians or suspects. Seeing a need to stem the number of pursuit-related crashes, the Legislature adopted Vehicle Code section 17004.7 in 1987. (Alcala v. City of Corcoran, 147 Cal.App.4th 666, 672 (2007).)
Vehicle Code section 17001 makes public entities liable for employees’ negligent driving: “A public entity is liable for death or injury to person or property proximately caused by a negligent ... Continue Reading
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by Derek P. Cole on August 1, 2025
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Public Records Act,
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) guarantees access to the records of state and local governments. The act ensures public officials and employees conduct business transparently. It recognizes that government records belong to — and should always be available to — the people.
But the right to access public records is not unlimited. As a municipal lawyer, I regularly advise my clients on handling public records requests. I often encounter misperceptions about what the CPRA requires.
Here’s a look at the most common misperceptions — and what the act really says.
Fact: Agencies ... Continue Reading
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California Public Records Act, CPRA, Public Records Act,
by Betsy Martyn on December 31, 2024
posted in
Administrative Regulations, CEQA, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Uncategorised, Zoning,
Unless otherwise stated, all bills are effective January 1, 2025, and do not require an implementing ordinance to take effect. Please note, that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) is expected to release guidelines for some of the new housing laws. Our office will continue to update you as information is provided.
ZONING AND PLANNING
Zoning Ordinance Notice (Assembly Bill 2904) – Increases the notice period to 20 calendar days – Mandatory [Passed Sept. 27, 2024]
Assembly Bill 2904 (“AB 2904”) extends the notice period for public ... Continue Reading
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by Betsy Martyn on December 31, 2024
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Public Works, Uncategorised,
All bills are effective January 1, 2025 unless otherwise provided.
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
Voluntary Disclosure of a Police Officer Termination – SB 400: Amends Penal Code 832.7 by adding (b)(13) which provides for voluntary disclosure by a public agency of the reason for termination for cause for the type of incident which must be disclosed.
13) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, an agency that formerly employed a peace officer or custodial officer may, without receiving a request for disclosure, disclose to the public the termination for cause ... Continue Reading
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New laws, Public Records Act,
