by Steven Graham on January 21, 2020
posted in Law Enforcement, Legislative Updates,
Several new laws took effect this year that affect public safety. The key legislation is summarized in this post. ... Continue Reading
by Steven Graham on October 25, 2018
posted in Law Enforcement, Public Records Act,
The Legislature has responded to public pressure calling for increased transparency into local policing by passing two new laws that mandate disclosure of records related to officer misconduct and use of force incidents. With Governor Brown’s signature, SB1421 and AB 748 will change how police departments respond to requests for certain personnel records and recordings of use of force incidents that were previously exempt from disclosure. ... Continue Reading
by Karen A. Feld on August 15, 2018
posted in Law Enforcement, Recent Court Decisions,
The California Supreme Court issued a very favorable ruling in favor of police agencies on August 13, 2018. In an unanimous opinion, the Court ruled that a police department that requires ALL of the officers to certify that they have read and understood the vehicle-pursuit policy can claim immunity even if all its members failed to sign. Ramirez v. City of Gardena (2018) S244549. ... Continue Reading
by Sunny Huynh on March 13, 2018
posted in Law Enforcement, Legislative Updates, Uncategorised,
On March 7, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a lawsuit challenging California’s “sanctuary” state laws. This is only one in a series of actions that Attorney General Sessions’ has taken to curtail “sanctuary” efforts in the United States. While the term “sanctuary” city or state does not have a precise definition, it generally refers to a jurisdiction that limits its cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The idea behind a “sanctuary” city or state is to reduce the fear of deportation among immigrants living in a jurisdiction illegally, ... Continue Reading
by William R. Galstan on July 20, 2015
posted in Law Enforcement, Pitchess Motions,
The California Supreme Court has resolved questions that have arisen among police departments, city attorneys and district attorneys about their obligations to respond to criminal discovery requirements under the landmark decisions of Brady v. Maryland and Pitchess v. Superior Court. The Brady case, generally, requires the prosecution to disclose material evidence that is favorable to the criminal defendant. Pitchess holds that peace officers are entitled to a measure of privacy, and that their personnel records can only be examined and disclosed after the filing of a “Pitchess motion”. ... Continue Reading