Facts

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and Electronic Frontier Foundation sued the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, the City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Police Department, in connection with plaintiffs' requests for records.

CLAIMANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Claimants contended that from August through October 2012, they submitted requests for records concerning the use by LASD and LAPD of Automated License Plate Recognition tools. Although respondents released some records, claimants contended that the releases were inconsistent and did not include the full scope of records they had requested. Claimants also alleged that respondents refused to release several categories of requested records, violating their legal duties to do so. Claimants asserted that the requested documents were public records that the public has a right to inspect.

Claimants filed suit, seeking a writ of mandate to enforce the California Public Records Act against respondents.

RESPONDENTS' CONTENTIONS:
Respondents contended that those records were privileged, and not subject to disclosure.

Result

Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant concluded that Automated License Plate Recognition data was exempt from disclosure, and denied claimant's writ petition.