California Auto, Tractor and Trailer Accident Attorney - Inspection Of Documents; Things And Places

WHAT MAY THE PARTY INSPECT?
The California Code of Civil Procedure provides that a party may demand that any other party (where the item is in the possession, custody, or control of that other party)
1. Produce and permit inspection of a document.

2. Produce and permit copying of a document.

3. Allow the party to enter any land or other property and do one or all of the following as to such property
a. inspect
b. measure
c. survey
d. photograph
e. test
f. sample

WHEN AND WHERE MAY THE DEMAND BE MADE?
A Defendant may make a demand for inspection at any time, but Plaintiffs must wait until at least ten days after service of the summons. This chapter uses the example of a tractor / trailer / truck accident.

The asking party must specify
1. A reasonable time for the inspection that is at least 30 days after service of the demand

2. A reasonable place for making the inspection, copying, and performing any related activity

3. The manner in which that related activity will be performed, and whether that activity will permanently alter or destroy the item involved.

A party may send a supplemental demand to inspect any later acquired or discovered items twice prior to the initial setting of a trial date, and once after the initial setting of a trial date. As in much of discovery law, if an asking party shows "good cause" to the court additional requests can be ordered.