People v. Gaines

Opinion

BAXTER, J.

A criminal defendant, on a showing of good cause, is entitled to discovery of information in the confidential personnel records of a peace officer when that information is relevant to defend against a criminal charge. (Pen. Code, § 832.7; Evid. Code, § 1043 et seq.; see Pitchess v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 531 [113 Cal.Rptr. 897, 522 P.2d 305] (Pitchess).) In this case, the Court of Appeal determined that the trial court abused its discretion by summarily denying defendant’s Pitchess motion without first examining the requested records in camera to determine whether…