Alameda Superior Court Sealing & Redaction Procedures

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Civil cases

If medical, personal, or consumer records are involved, the parties are to delete any information that counsel, or any self-represented party, agree should not come into evidence, including insurance information, so that such information is not received by the jury. The proponent must then prepare clean copies of the records for submission into evidence.

Summary: For medical, personal, or consumer records, parties must delete information that should not come into evidence (e.g., insurance information) and prepare clean copies for submission.

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In any proceeding involving the custody or visitation of minor children, any written report or recommendation must be marked and kept confidential and unavailable to any person except the court, minor’s counsel, the parties, their attorneys and any person to whom the court expressly grants access by written order made with prior notice to all parties. No person who has gained access to this type of a confidential report may make copies of it or disclose its contents to any child or any other third party absent an order that provides for disclosure.

Summary: Written custody evaluation reports must be kept confidential and unavailable except to the court, minor's counsel, parties, their attorneys, and persons given access by court order, with copies and disclosure prohibited absent a disclosing order.

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Relatives, de facto parents, foster parents, and service providers are not entitled to receive copies of CASA reports. CASA reports will be copied and distributed by the CASA program office staff.

Summary: CASA reports are confidential: relatives, de facto parents, foster parents, and service providers may not receive copies, and copies are made and distributed only by the CASA program office staff.

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However, child abuse and neglect reports described by Penal Code section 11167.5 (Suspected Child Abuse Report, Form #S-8572), information disclosing the identity of a reporting party, or court-ordered psychological evaluations will not be exchanged between the agencies absent a court order. Copies of DCFS, APS or JPD documents, used by FCB, or PCI shall not be attached to their respective court reports and shall not be made available to the public without a court order.

Summary: Child abuse reports, reporting-party identity, and court-ordered psychological evaluations may not be exchanged between agencies without a court order, and copies of DCFS/APS/JPD documents may not be attached to court reports or made public without a court order.

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Criminal cases

Any exhibit that contains biological or hazardous material, or poses a security or safety risk must be securely sealed and protected against breakage so that no contents or odors can be released that may harm court personnel. Containers of biological or hazardous material must be clearly marked and identified as to type, amount and weight.

Summary: Exhibits containing biological or hazardous material or posing a security or safety risk must be securely sealed and protected against breakage, and their containers must be clearly marked with type, amount, and weight.

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Civil cases

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all documents related to mental health proceedings must be filed confidentially.

Summary: All documents related to mental health proceedings must be filed confidentially unless the court orders otherwise.

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Where authorized or required by law or court order, parties may designate all or portions of electronically filed documents as confidential.

Summary: Parties in criminal cases may designate all or portions of e-filed documents as confidential when authorized or required by law or court order.

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Where authorized by required by law or court order, parties may designate all or portions of electronically filed documents as confidential and file confidential information may be obtained through the filer’s EFSP and the court’s web site at http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/efsp.

Summary: In juvenile cases, parties may designate all or portions of e-filed documents confidential when authorized or court-required, with guidance available through filers and the court's portal.

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Civil cases

The following documents are confidential but do not require a court order to seal: (1) Court investigator reports and memoranda. (2) Original bank statements. (3) For guardianships: (A) Confidential Guardianship Screening Form (form GC-212); Confidential Proposed Guardianship Questionnaire and Screening (local court form); (B) Confidential Guardianship Status Report (form GC-251); (C) Confidential Guardianship Termination Questionnaire (local court form);

Summary: Listed documents are confidential and sealed without a court order.

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Documents e-filed in actions under the Uniform Parentage Act are confidential and do not require a court order to seal.

Summary: Documents e-filed in Uniform Parentage Act actions are confidential and do not require a court order to seal.

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The following persons and agencies may have access to juvenile court records and may obtain photocopies of records without a prior court order, subject to the conditions specified, if disclosure will be in the best interest of the child whose records are sought and the information contained in those records is necessary and relevant to a juvenile dependency or delinquency proceeding; a civil or criminal investigation or proceeding; a proceeding involving child custody or visitation; a proceeding involving adoption, guardianship, or emancipation of a minor; a proceeding involving probate or conservatorship; or a proceeding involving domestic violence.

Summary: Listed persons and agencies may access juvenile court records and obtain photocopies without a prior court order, subject to conditions (best interest of child, necessary and relevant information).

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

It is ordered that if the grand jury desires to interview any member or employee of the court, the foreperson of the grand jury shall address to the Presiding Judge a sealed written request for the interview of a specified member or employee of the Court that identifies the interviewing grand jurors and specifies all questions to be put to the member or employee of the Court.

Summary: A grand jury seeking to interview a court member or employee in a civil investigation must submit a sealed written request to the Presiding Judge identifying the interviewing grand jurors and specifying all questions.