CALIFORNIA SHIELD LAW TOUGHENED

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By: Joel Davis Journalists Given 5-Day Testifying Grace Period





California Gov. Gray Davis signed into law a measure that gives journalists a five-day grace period before being required to testify under subpoena.



The law also clarifies that information produced in response to subpoenas does not constitute a waiver of their rights. Further, the new law requires the judge to detail the importance of information in question and explain why alternate sources are insufficient to satisfy the defendant's right to a fair trial.



The new law takes effect Jan. 1.





Joel Davis (jdavis@editorandpublisher.com) is West Coast editor for E&P.





Copyright 2000, Editor & Publisher.

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