Tuesday, March 24, 2020:  5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

This class will explore your right to government information in California, and the processes and procedures for obtaining public records from state and local agencies. Topics include what constitutes a public record, deadlines and timeframes, exemptions for confidential and other materials and how to formulate an effective request.

Class covers:

• Importance of the Public Records Act, and why we need it
• What constitutes a public record
• Deadlines and timeframes
• Exemptions for confidential and other materials
• How to formulate an effective request

Presented by: Kelly A. Aviles

Registration fee: FREE

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Class recorded on March 16, 2021

For updated information on e-filing and filing court documents in-person during COVID-19, please click here. If your case is being heard in California state superior court, please be sure to visit your court’s website for the most recent updates. L.A. Superior Court’s website is here.

Many people need to find important court records, but doing so can be complicated. Although most documents filed with a court are public record and accessible to anyone, each court makes records available in different ways, and surprisingly few are freely available online. In this class, learn how to locate and access common types of court documents from state and federal courts.

Class covers:

• Finding civil and criminal court documents in other state superior courts
• Accessing older state court documents through county archives
• Using Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) to find federal court documents
• Finding state and federal appellate court briefs

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below.

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Los servicios provistos por Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project se brindan telefónicamente este mes y hasta nuevo aviso debido a problemas de salud pública. Si es un inmigrante no representado en un proceso de expulsión en la corte de inmigración, puede llamar al (323) 905-0404 (disponible solo los martes y jueves) para obtener información relevante para su caso de inmigración y referencias para servicios de autoayuda adicionales. Para obtener información sobre los servicios para inmigrantes no representados en los procedimientos de expulsión, haga clic aquí. Para obtener asistencia general de Esperanza por teléfono, llame al (213) 535-7594.

También puede obtener información relevante para su caso inmigración solicitando una consulta telefónica con un abogado aquí. Para solicitar una consulta telefónica gratuita con un abogado, haga clic aquí.

La biblioteca jurídica de Los Ángeles no brinda asesoría legal:
La biblioteca jurídica de Los Ángeles no brinda asesoría legal. La biblioteca jurídica de Los Ángeles ofrece recursos legales y la asistencia con la investigación jurídica como un servicio educativo. La biblioteca jurídica de Los Ángeles se complace en ofrecer a nuestros usuarios la oportunidad de obtener asistencia de proveedores de servicios legales de terceros en este y otros eventos dentro de la biblioteca. Sin embargo, la biblioteca no controla y no es responsable del contenido o el alcance de la asistencia brindada por dichos proveedores.

Due to public health concerns, this class will be offered online only. Registrants will be emailed a link to access a recording of the session.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020:  6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

The Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 1421, making many types of police personnel files available to anyone through a California Public Records Act request. Learn the current state of the law and how to access police personnel files.

Formerly, such records were only available through specified court procedures like Pitchess motions, which imposed stringent requirements. However, the new law relaxed those requirements, but implementation has been complex and there have been numerous court challenges to the law's scope and validity.

Class covers:

• How to access police personnel files under the new law, Senate Bill 1421
• How Senate Bill 1421 changed existing law, including the Pitchess motion procedure
• Why implementation of Senate Bill 1421 has been complex
• Court challenges to the new law's scope and validity, and what they might mean for accessing police personnel files in the future

Presented by:
David A. Katz, Managing Attorney, Katz & Associates
Christine N. Wood, Director of Public Records Act Services and E-Discovery Counsel, Best Best & Krieger LL

Registration: FREE

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.