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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 8Ch. 4Art. 9§ 1043 Officer Records Discovery Process

§ 1043 Officer Records Discovery Process

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1043 Officer Records Discovery Process

Key Takeaways

  • •If you want to see a police officer's personal records (like complaints or discipline records), you have to ask a court first.
  • •You must give the police department a heads-up in writing before asking the court.
  • •You need a good reason to see these records, like proving something important in your case.
  • •The police department must tell the officer that someone is trying to see their records.

Example

You get into a car crash and think the police officer who wrote the report was unfair because they have a history of being rude. You want to see their past complaints to prove they were biased.

You can't just ask for the officer's records. You have to file a motion in court, tell the police department ahead of time, and explain why those records are important to your case. The police must then tell the officer that you're trying to see their records.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1043 Officer Records Discovery Process

(a) In any case in which discovery or disclosure is sought of peace or custodial officer personnel records or records maintained pursuant to Section 832.5 of the Penal Code or information from those records, the party seeking the discovery or disclosure shall file a written motion with the appropriate court or administrative body upon written notice to the governmental agency that has custody and control of the records, as follows: (1) In a civil action, the written notice shall be given at the times prescribed by subdivision (b) of Section 1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) In a criminal action, the written notice shall be served and filed at least 10 court days before the hearing. All papers opposing a motion so noticed shall be filed with the court at least five court days, and all reply papers at least two court days, before the hearing. Proof of service of the notice shall be filed no later than five court days before the hearing. (b) The motion shall include all of the following: (1) Identification of the proceeding in which discovery or disclosure is sought, the party seeking discovery or disclosure, the peace or custodial officer whose records are sought, the governmental agency that has custody and control of the records, and the time and place at which the motion for discovery or disclosure shall be heard. (2) A description of the type of records or information sought. (3) Affidavits showing good cause for the discovery or disclosure sought, setting forth the materiality thereof to the subject matter involved in the pending litigation and stating upon reasonable belief that the governmental agency identified has the records or information from the records. (c) Upon receipt of a notice served pursuant to subdivision (a), the governmental agency shall immediately notify the individual whose records are sought. (d) No hearing upon a motion for discovery or disclosure shall be held without full compliance with the notice provisions of this section except upon a showing by the moving party of good cause for noncompliance, or upon a waiver of the hearing by the governmental agency identified as having the records. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 585, Sec. 2. (AB 1600) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

peace or custodial officer personnel recordswritten motiongood causemateriality

Related Statutes

  • § 1040 Public Information Privilege
  • § 1041 Whistleblower Identity Protection
  • § 1042 Privileged Information In Criminal Cases
  • § 1044 Medical Record Access Rights
  • § 1045 Peace Officer Complaint Records

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1043.
View Official Source