Court Security Video Request

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for keeping everyone in the courthouse safe. To do this, the Sheriff's Department handles all incidents related to safety and security. Video monitoring systems are used in courthouse public hallways, waiting areas, some courtrooms, lockups, and the clerk's office to help maintain security. These video monitoring systems and the images they capture belong to the court.

Not all video is recorded, and any recorded video is kept only for a short time. These recordings are not official records of court proceedings and cannot be used as such. Government Code section 69957 and the case NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV) v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1178, 1212 state that the public’s right of access does not include anything beyond court proceedings and filed documents. Releasing these recordings to the public could create security risks by revealing important parts of the Sheriff’s security plans. According to California Rules of Court, Rule 10.500(f)(6), the video systems and recordings are controlled by the Court Executive Officer until they are routinely deleted.

The public cannot access these recordings unless approved by the Court Executive Officer or their designee. If you want to request a recording, you must use the Court’s Request for Court Security Video form. The request must include the following:

• A detailed description of the time, date, and location of the video you are requesting.
• Specific reasons why the video should be disclosed.
• An explanation of why no other alternatives are available.
• Offer suggestions for reducing the negative impact on important concerns, such as courthouse security, the right to a fair trial, protection of minor victims and witnesses, privacy for jurors, protection of witnesses from embarrassment or intimidation, attorney-client privilege, national security, and maintaining courtroom dignity and decorum, as outlined in NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV) v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1178.