B. How long to wait.

There is no prescribed length of time to wait for a response to a request for access to public records. The length of time to wait, and the steps to take next, will vary with the circumstances for each request. If the relief that is ultimately sought in court is preliminary or permanent injunction, however, care should be taken not to delay unduly and thus jeopardize the claim for "irreparable injury." See Birmingham News Co. v. Chambers, CV 89-186 (Cir. Ct. of Shelby County, Ala., May 17, 1989) (request for permanent injunction granted and records ordered released within seven days, but application for preliminary injunction denied because of perceived delay by newspaper in bringing suit) (permanent injunction affirmed in Chambers v. Birmingham News Co., 552 So. 2d 854 (Ala. 1989)).