Open Government Guide

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Open Records

   I. STATUTE -- BASIC APPLICATION

      A. Who can request records?

         2. Purpose of request.


There are no limitations on access to public records based on the purpose for which the record is being requested, if the record is otherwise subject to disclosure. Cal. Gov't Code § 6257.5. A member of the public need not state the purpose for requesting records. See, e.g., CBS Broad. Inc. v. Superior Court, 91 Cal. App. 4th 892, 909, 110 Cal. Rptr. 2d 889 (2001); City of San Jose v. Superior Court, 74 Cal. App. 4th 1008, 1018, 88 Cal. Rptr. 2d 552 (1999); State Bd. of Equalization v. Superior Court, 10 Cal. App. 4th 1177, 1191, 13 Cal. Rptr. 2d 342 (1992). What is material is the public interest in disclosure, not the private interest of a requesting party. State Bd. of Equalization, 10 Cal. App. 4th at 1191.



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