CA Public Records Research v. Co. of Yolo
Annotate this CaseIn September 2012, appellant California Public Records Research, Inc. (CPRR) filed a petition for writ of mandate and complaint challenging fees charged for copies of official records by the Yolo County Clerk Recorder’s Office. CPCR alleged Yolo County and County Clerk/Recorder Freddie Oakley (collectively, County) failed to perform a mandatory duty to limit copy fees, in violation of Government Code section 27366, article XIIIC of the California Constitution (Proposition 26) and California common law. The County moved for summary judgment on the grounds that section 27366 authorized the Board of Supervisors to exercise discretion in setting fees, there was no genuine issue of material fact as to whether the Board abused its discretion, and fees were reasonably related to the cost of producing copies. The County also argued that CPRR’s causes of action for negligence and money had and received were barred by the Government Claims Act, and that the petition for writ of mandate was moot, as the County had voluntarily reduced copy fees from $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each subsequent page ($10.00/$2.00) to $7.35 for the first page and $2.00 for each subsequent page ($7.35/$2.00). The trial court granted the motion and entered judgment in the County’s favor. CPRR appealed, challenging the trial court’s interpretation of section 27366 and insisting the County abused its discretion in setting copy fees. CPRR also argued the trial court improperly reconsidered and reversed an earlier order overruling the County’s demurrer to CPRR’s causes of action for negligence and money had and received, thereby exceeding its jurisdiction. Finding no reversible error in the grant of summary judgment in favor of the County, the Court of Appeals affirmed.
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.