Are inquest records available to the public?

Inquests are in public All inquests are public and anyone can attend. Reports of an inquest may be published in national and local newspapers, but in practice only a minority of inquests are actually reported. You can get a copy of an inquest report from the Coroner’s Office when the inquest has concluded.

Are coroners reports public record in California?

The California Public Records Act (PRA), Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270, requires the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office to make public records available for inspection by the public and to provide copies upon request.

How do I view an inquest report?

Obtaining a Transcripted Record of Inquest Either the coroner will provide a copy of the recording, or will allow “inspection” (where you are given an appointment to attend the coroner’s office to listen to the recording.) The coroner can charge for providing a copy of the recording after the inquest.

Where can I find inquest reports?

To find out if PRONI has the inquest record you are seeking, you can search PRONI’s eCatalogue by inserting the person’s name and the word inquest or report. You can also email or write to PRONI to ask if they have the inquest record. Include the person’s name.

How do you find the cause of death in California?

A requester can obtain a death record in California at the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) by a mail-in request. County Recorders and County Health Departments also provide death records by mail-in and in-person requests.

How can you find out the cause of death of someone?

Call the Coroner’s Office in the late afternoon to learn the results of an autopsy conducted that day. Any member of the staff can furnish you with the cause and manner of death appearing on the Death Certificate.

Do all deaths have an inquest?

A coroner must hold an inquest if: the cause of death is still unknown. the person might have died a violent or unnatural death. the person might have died in prison or police custody.

How do I look up a death in California?

Where Can I Get Death Records in California? A requester can obtain a death record in California at the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) by a mail-in request. County Recorders and County Health Departments also provide death records by mail-in and in-person requests.

How do I find cause of death for someone?

The California Department of Public Health provides a list of County Recorders and County Health Departments with their addresses, websites, and contact details. A requester can submit a request to any of these custodians to obtain a death record.

How long does a coronial inquest take?

Whilst some cases may be resolved within a few months, the majority of cases take considerably longer. An investigation often takes up to 12 months and in rare instances, even longer.

How much is an autopsy in California?

No, there are no services fees or charges to the family for an autopsy that is required by the State of California. The cost is absorbed through the operation of the Medical Examiner Office and funded through tax dollars.

What are coroner’s inquests?

Coroner’s Inquests Under the Coroners Act 2003(SA) an inquest can be held to establish the cause, or circumstances, of a reportable death. The circumstances may include matters related to or arising out of the event or its aftermath [s 3(3)]. Reportable deathis defined in section 3 of the Coroners Act 2003(SA). It includes the death of a person:

Can the coroner reopen an inquest?

The Coroner may reopen an inquest at any time or the Attorney-General may direct that an inquest be reopened.

What are the circumstances under which an inquest is held?

Under the Coroners Act 2003 (SA) an inquest can be held to establish the cause, or circumstances, of a reportable death. The circumstances may include matters related to or arising out of the event Under the Coroners Act 2003 (SA) an inquest can be held to establish the cause, or circumstances, of a reportable death.

What are the rules of the coroner?

The Coroner is not bound by the normal rules of evidence and may inquire into any issues as she or he thinks fit. The Coroner must act according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case, but without regard to technicalities and legal forms [see s 24].