Hernandez v. County of Monterey

Background

Defendant California Forensic Medical Group, Inc. (CFMG) filed two administrative motions to seal exhibits and portions of exhibits supporting its response to a show-cause order. The materials included jail inmates’ personal identifying information, inmates’ confidential medical information, and jail staff’s personal identifying information.

The plaintiffs and the County of Monterey did not oppose the requests. CFMG represented that the plaintiffs and the County consented to the first motion. The plaintiffs filed a non-opposition to the second motion but asked the court to require CFMG to file redacted versions as soon as possible. CFMG requested 14 days to file the redacted versions because the exhibits were voluminous.

Court’s analysis

The court applied the “compelling reasons” standard because the show-cause response and exhibits concerned central issues in the case, including whether Monterey County Jail inmates were receiving adequate medical and mental-health care. The court relied on its earlier finding that compelling reasons supported sealing inmates’ identifying and medical information and jail staff’s identifying information.

The court found that compelling reasons supported sealing the requested materials and that CFMG’s request was narrowly tailored, as required by the district’s local rules. The court also found CFMG’s requested 14-day period reasonable and found no prejudice to the parties or the public from allowing that additional time.

Ruling

Judge Beth Labson Freeman granted CFMG’s administrative motions to seal. The court ordered CFMG to file redacted versions of all documents on the public docket by September 5, 2024. At the same time, the court said it would issue proposed orders containing detailed charts identifying the material to be sealed. The order terminated the two motions, identified as ECF 907 and ECF 908.