What is the test for obtaining discovery of a police officer's personnel records and complaints against such officers?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Maeshack, B245582 (Cal. App. 2013):

To obtain Pitchess discovery of a police officer's personnel records and complaints against such officers, a defendant or petitioner must file a motion describing the type of records sought and showing, inter alia, the materiality of the information to the subject of the pending action and good cause for disclosure. (Evid. Code, 1043, 1045.) "To show good cause as required by section 1043, defense counsel's declaration in support of a Pitchess motion must propose a defense or defenses to the pending charges. The declaration must articulate how the discovery sought may lead to relevant evidence or may itself be admissible direct or impeachment evidence [citation] that would support those proposed defenses." (Warrick v. Superior Court (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1011, 1024 (Warrick).) "Counsel's affidavit must also describe a factual scenario supporting the claimed officer misconduct." (Ibid.) "The court then determines whether defendant's averments, '[v]iewed in conjunction with the police reports' and any other documents, suffice to 'establish a plausible factual foundation' for the alleged officer misconduct and to 'articulate a valid theory as to how the information sought might be admissible' at trial. [Citation.] Although a Pitchess motion is obviously strengthened by a witness account

Page 10

Other Questions


Does a complaint to the police department asserting misconduct by a police officer constitute a crime prescribed under California Penal Code section 148.5 of reporting to police officer that a felony or misdemeanor has been committed? (California, United States of America)
Can a district attorney seek discovery of the peace officer personnel records of a criminal defendant who was not a police officer at the time of the crime? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for obtaining discovery of a police officer's personnel records? (California, United States of America)
Is there good cause for discovery of the personnel records of a police officer not named as a victim in the criminal complaint? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for a criminal defendant to obtain copies of a police officer's personnel records from the California Police Service? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant who claims self-defense to a charge of battery upon a police officer, who is also charged with battery upon the officer, obtain materials from the police department concerning the propensity for violence against the officer? (California, United States of America)
Can a police officer who was not present at the time of arrest be required to produce the personnel records of the arresting officer? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for discovery of confidential personnel records of a police officer accused of misconduct against a criminal defendant? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for discovery of misconduct in a police officer's personnel records? (California, United States of America)
Is a criminal defendant entitled to discovery of certain information in the personnel records of a police officer accused of misconduct? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.