California Municipal Law Blog
tag:
CPRA

NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS FOR LOCAL AGENCIES

by Toni A. Otokunrin on April 27, 2026

posted in Law Enforcement, Municipal Law, Public Records Act, Recent Court Decisions,

Agencies are increasingly adopting law enforcement technology that increases the efficiency, transparency and safety of investigations. However, these technologies also create time consuming and costly burdens. Police departments have begun using tools like body-worn cameras, license plate peaders (LPRs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), which provide important advantages. These tools allow distanced assessments to ensure the appropriate resources are dispatched and increase investigation efficiency. These tools also create records which implicate the California Public Records Act ... Continue Reading

tags: Body Worn Cameras, CPRA, Government Code Section 7923.600(a), Law Enforcement Technology, New laws, Public Records Act,

WHAT THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REALLY REQUIRES – AND WHAT IT DOESN’T

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

tags: California Public Records Act, CPRA, Public Records Act,