California Supreme Court Rejects Appeal of Strong Ruling that Reaffirms Oversight Board’s Subpoena Power
LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission (Commission/COC) Chair Hans Johnson applauded the California Supreme Court’s refusal on July 8, 2026, to review an appeals court ruling that recognizes the authority of Sonoma County’s civilian oversight board to subpoena the county sheriff for records. The clear ruling of the appellate court also ordered the Sonoma County sheriff to comply with the oversight board’s subpoenas.
“The state’s highest court has reaffirmed what state law plainly states. County civilian oversight bodies, including the COC in LA County, have the lawful power to subpoena documents needed for an investigation from the county sheriff. The Sheriff’s Department has a duty to obey,” Chair Johnson said. “It upholds and reinforces the COC’s ability to compel information that is vital to doing our job effectively and makes it clear that obstruction of state law will not stand up in court.”
The case began in July 2024, when the Sonoma County Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) sued the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office for refusing to comply with its subpoenas as part of an IOLERO investigation into a whistleblower complaint.
A lower court initially ruled against IOLERO. However, on March 26, 2026, the California Court of Appeal reversed that decision, stating that California law (Government Code section 25303.7) grants subpoena authority to sheriff oversight boards, therefore giving them full authority to compel testimony and documents. The Court of Appeal directed the lower court to enforce IOLERO’s subpoenas and ordered the Sheriff’s Office to comply.
Both the Sheriff’s Office and a deputies’ association attempted to appeal the Court of Appeal decision to the California Supreme Court. With the rejection of their appeal by the state’s highest court, the case is over. The Sonoma County Sheriff has announced the department will comply with IOLERO’s subpoenas.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s Department (LASD) still refuses to comply with three subpoenas issued by the Commission in February 2025. The subpoenas were to seek documents necessary for a COC investigation related to deputies’ uses of force in severely beating Joseph Perez in July 2020 and Emmett Brock in February 2023, and in shooting and killing Andres Guardado in June 2020. The former LASD deputy who pleaded guilty in federal court in December 2024 to depriving Brock of his Constitutional rights after pursuing and beating him severely, such that Brock suffered a concussion, will face sentencing on August 7. In March 2024, a court found Brock factually innocent of any charges. In contrast, the former deputy who beat him, Joseph Benza, was officially and permanently decertified in January 2026 by the state standards and training commission from ever serving in law enforcement again. The LASD relieved of duty eight personnel, including four sergeants, allegedly involved in the former deputy’s misconduct, including attempts to suppress, falsify, or cover up evidence surrounding the pursuit, beating, and detention of Brock.
The enactment of state law in AB 847 in October 2025, effective January 1, 2026, affirms the Commission’s subpoena power. That authority was granted explicitly by Measure R, approved overwhelmingly by L.A. County voters in March 2020, and by state law in AB 1185, effective January 1, 2021. The COC at its January 2026 public meeting reasserted its demand that LASD comply with the subpoenas issued in February 2025. LASD again defied that demand, citing instruction by L.A. County Counsel.
At its April 2026 public meeting, the COC passed a resolution, with the unanimous support of Commissioners, expressing the need for unconflicted counsel for the COC and intent to enforce the three lawful subpoenas. On June 22, 2026, the Commission filed suit in L.A. Superior Court to enforce the three lawful subpoenas. The labor unions also urged the California Attorney General to intervene and filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the Commission.
At its upcoming meeting on July 16, 2026, the Commission will consider a vote to reaffirm the Commission’s enforcement action at the L.A. County Superior Court.
