What is the California Public Records Act?
The right to inspect public records is generally regulated by the California Public Records Act Cal. Govt. Code 6250 et seq. The legislature, while mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, found and declared that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in the state. The general policy of the act favors disclosure and a refusal to disclose information must be justified by the specific exceptions enumerated in the act. Public records within the coverage of the Public Records act are ordinarily open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency in which they are kept. Govt. Code 6253(a). What public records are subject to inspection? “Public records” that are subject generally to inspection and copying include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless
