2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 10.856. Notice of superior court records destruction
(a) Scope
"Records" of the superior court, as used in this rule, do not include records of limited civil, small claims, misdemeanor, or infraction cases.
(Subd (a) adopted effective January 1, 2007.)
(b) Notice
The superior court must give 30 days' written notice of its intent to destroy court records open to public inspection to entities maintained on a master list by the Judicial Council and to any other entities that have informed the court directly that they wish to be notified.
(Subd (b) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (a); previously amended effective January 1, 2001, and July 1, 2001.
(c) Transfer to requesting entity
Records scheduled for destruction must be permanently transferred to the entity requesting possession of the records on written order of the presiding judge unless the request is denied for good cause shown. The cost of transferring the records must be paid by the requesting party.
(Subd (c) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (b); previously amended effective January 1, 2001.)
(d) Request by two or more entities
If two or more entities request the same records, the presiding judge must order the transfer of those records to the entity that shows the greatest capability of caring for and preserving the records according to commonly recognized archival principles and practices of preservation and access, and that provides the greatest likelihood of making them available for historical or research purposes.
(Subd (d) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (c); previously amended effective January 1, 2001.)
(e) Public access
No entity may receive the records unless the entity agrees to make the records reasonably available to all members of the public. Provision must be made for duplicating the records at cost.
(Subd (e) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (d); previously amended effective January 1, 2001.)
(f) Destruction
If after 30 days no request for transfer of records scheduled for destruction has been received by the court, the clerk may destroy the records not designated for the historical and research program under rule 10.855, under a written order of the presiding judge of the court and in accordance with provisions of the Government Code.
(Subd (f) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (e); previously amended effective January 1, 2001.)
(g) Extension of time
The time for retention of any of the court records specified in the notice may be extended by order of the court on its own motion, or on application of any interested member of the public for good cause shown and on such terms as are just. No fee may be charged for making the application.
(Subd (g) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (f); previously amended effective January 1, 2001.)
(h) Forms
The court must use the following forms to implement the requirements of this rule:
(1) Notice of Intent to Destroy Superior Court Records; Offer to Transfer Possession (form REC-001(N), with a form on the reverse titled Request for Transfer or Extension of Time for Retention of Superior Court Records (form REC-001(R)), for optional use by the recipient of the notice; and
(2) Notice of Hearing on Request for Transfer or Extension of Time for Retention of Superior Court Records; Court Order; Release and Receipt of Superior Court Records (form REC-002(N)).
(Subd (h) amended effective July 1, 2010; adopted as subd (g); previously amended effective January 1, 2001; previously amended and relettered effective January 1, 2007.)
Rule 10.856 amended effective July 1, 2010; adopted as rule 243.6 effective January 1, 1994; previously amended effective July 1, 2001; previously amended and renumbered as rule 6.756 effective January 1, 2001, and as rule 10.856 effective January 1, 2007.
Chapter 11 renumbered effective January 1, 2008; adopted as Chapter 5 effective January 1, 2001; previously amended and renumbered as Chapter 10 effective January 1, 2007.