pUBLIC RECORDS ACT 

"ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY."

-- Wendell Phillips, abolitionist, 1852. 

The Silverstein Law Firm is a leader in Public Records Act litigation. On behalf of our clients, we prosecute Public Records Act cases against the government at all levels.

The California Public Records Act guarantees public access to most documents in the possession of the government. The Public Records Act is the state equivalent of the federal Freedom of Information Act.

The Silverstein Law Firm fights to uphold the promise that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." Govt. Code Section 6250.

As stated by the California Supreme Court: "Implicit in the democratic process is the notion that government should be accountable for its actions. In order to verify accountability, individuals must have access to government files. Such access permits checks against the arbitrary exercise of official power and secrecy in the political process. . . . " CBS, Inc. v. Block (1986) 42 Cal.3d 646, 651.

Robert P. Silverstein is frequently consulted on Public Records Act issues. He has lectured on the California Public Records Act, and regularly represents clients against governmental agencies in Public Records Act disputes.