Records requester filed mandamus action against police department and city chief assistant law director that sought to compel production of records related to a criminal case against him under the Public Records Act, plus statutory damages, attorney fees, and court costs.
Respondents filed a motion to refer the case to mediation, which the Supreme Court granted, however the case was later returned to the regular docket.
Records requester filed a motion for leave to amend his complaint.
The Supreme Court held that:
- Requester was not entitled to leave to file amended mandamus complaint to add a claim alleging police department improperly destroyed body-camera footage;
- Requester was not entitled to leave to file amended mandamus complaint to assert a new mandamus claim;
- Requester abandoned his mandamus claim seeking to compel department and law director to produce a requested buccal swab;
- Requester’s mandamus complaint seeking a DVD of a video interview, a recording of a phone interview, and department’s records-retention schedule were rendered moot;
- Requester was entitled to an award of $2,000 in statutory damages; and
- Requester was not entitled to an award of attorney fees or court costs.