Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

retailers surveillance video

for how long is a very large retail chain expected to keep its surveillance videos in its archives, and how can someone go about obtaining information on a specific incident that would be on a retailers surveillance videos


Asked on 6/07/08, 2:56 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: retailers surveillance video

If there is a court case, your lawyer can subpoena the video.

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Answered on 6/07/08, 2:58 am
Ryan P. McClure The Law Offices of Ryan P. McClure

Re: retailers surveillance video

If the incident in question is relevant to the criminal case the retail chain has probably digitally stored the incident, which can be preserved forever or until needed.

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Answered on 6/16/08, 1:14 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: retailers surveillance video

Retailers are not required to have surveillance cameras at all. There are no laws which say how long those who choose to have cameras must preserve the tapes. Further, third parties have no right to see those tapes.

If you are involved in a court case to which the store is a party, you can demand that it preserve any recordings it still has and then can demand that it give you copies. If you are a party to such a case but the store isn't, you can subpoena the recordings.

If there is no court case (at least not yet), you still have the right to ask for a look at the tapes. The store, however, has the right to say no.

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Answered on 6/07/08, 6:47 pm


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