reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27470.5.

27470.5. Any county with a population under 250,000 that has elected to implement a trauma care system plan pursuant to Section 1797.257 of the Health and Safety Code may charge any actual costs incurred in the performance of an autopsy upon a person who was a resident of another county to the county of origin of that person. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the jurisdiction of the county coroner or medical examiner in the county performing the autopsy over any inquiry or investigation into the cause of death of that person.
(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 412, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27471.

27471. (a) Whenever the coroner takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, he or she shall make a reasonable attempt to locate the family. After a reasonable attempt, the coroner may embalm the body or authorize the embalming by a mortician for purposes of preserving the remains for evidence, to prevent microbial and contagious disease hazards, or for investigative functions. If the embalming has been requested by the family or by a person authorized to take charge of the body prior to such embalming, and such family or person has agreed to accept the expense, the coroner may charge and collect up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135). Any family, however, which has not been located within 24 hours of the custody by the coroner of the body, shall not be charged more than sixty-five dollars ($65).
This subdivision shall only apply to counties that own and maintain a central morgue with a paid, full-time staff that performs embalming.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), whenever the coroner takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, he or she may embalm the body, and charge and collect up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135) from the person entitled to its custody, except when the body is that of a child not more than 14 years of age or a person for whose burial there is available less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150), in which cases the expense of embalming is a county charge. In any county where the coroner is paid a salary, the fee shall be paid into the county treasury, except that the board of supervisors may order that the fee be paid to the coroner if the coroner is a funeral director in the county.
(c) The board of supervisors shall by ordinance establish the fee to be charged pursuant to this section.
(d) The board of supervisors may increase the amount of the fees specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 54985) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5.
(Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 182, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27472.

27472. If authorized by the county board of supervisors by ordinance, the coroner, whenever he or she takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, may charge and collect from the person entitled to control the disposition of the remains, as specified in Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code, the actual expense incurred by the coroner in removing the body from the place of death and keeping the body until its release to the person responsible for its interment. The charge shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100), shall not be imposed upon a person who claims and proves to be indigent, or in cases in which the body is that of a child not more than 14 years of age or in cases in which the coroner ascribes the death to the criminal act of another unless the coroner has reasonable grounds to believe that the deceased was involved in any criminal activity which contributed to his or her own death. The charge shall not include expenses of keeping the body during the time necessary for the coroner to perform his or her duties in connection with it. The charge, if not paid, may be considered a part of the funeral expenses and paid as a preferred charge against the estate of the decedent.
(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 61, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27473.

27473. In coroners’ cases, interpreters’ and translators’ fees or other compensation shall be paid from the county treasury upon warrants drawn by the county auditor, when so ordered by the coroner.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 212, Sec. 6. (AB 2767) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.1.

27491.1. In all cases in which a person has died under circumstances that afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the person’s death has been occasioned by the act of another by criminal means, the coroner, upon determining that those reasonable grounds exist, shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the criminal investigation. Notification shall be made by the most direct communication available. The report shall state the name of the deceased person, if known, the location of the remains, and other information received by the coroner relating to the death, including any medical information of the decedent that is directly related to the death. The report shall not include any information contained in the decedent’s medical records regarding any other person unless that information is relevant and directly related to the decedent’s death.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1068, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.2.

27491.2. (a) The coroner or the coroner’s appointed deputy, on being informed of a death and finding it to fall into the classification of deaths requiring his or her inquiry, may immediately proceed to where the body lies, examine the body, make identification, make inquiry into the circumstances, manner, and means of death, and, as circumstances warrant, either order its removal for further investigation or disposition or release the body to the next of kin.
(b) For purposes of inquiry, the body of one who is known to be dead from any of the causes or under any of the circumstances described in Section 27491 shall not be disturbed or moved from the position or place of death without permission of the coroner or the coroner’s appointed deputy. Any violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 304, Sec. 4.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.25.

27491.25. (a) The coroner or medical examiner, or their appointed deputy, on being notified of a death occurring while the deceased was driving or riding in a motor vehicle, or as a result of the deceased being struck by a motor vehicle, shall take blood and other biological samples, when appropriate, from the body of the deceased before it has been prepared for burial and make appropriate related chemical tests to determine the alcoholic contents, if any, of the body. The coroner or medical examiner, or their appointed deputy, on being notified of a death occurring while the deceased was driving a motor vehicle, shall perform drug screening and confirmatory tests for drugs, as referenced in Section 312 of the Vehicle Code, on the driver.
(b) The detailed medical findings, resulting from those examinations that are conducted, shall either be reduced to writing or permanently preserved on recording discs or other similar recording media and shall include all positive and negative findings pertinent to the presence or absence of any alcoholic or other substance content. Blood alcohol content and blood drug concentrations shall be provided when available.
(c) This section does not apply to the testing of a deceased person under 15 years of age unless the surrounding circumstances indicate the possibility of alcohol or drug consumption, nor shall it apply when the death has occurred more than 48 hours after the accident.
(d) For purposes of this section, hospital antemortem samples, if available, shall be used in place of postmortem samples if the decedent was hospitalized prior to death.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 223, Sec. 1. (SB 925) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.3.

27491.3. (a) In any death into which the coroner is to inquire, the coroner may take charge of any and all personal effects, valuables, and property of the deceased at the scene of death or related to the inquiry and hold or safeguard them until lawful disposition thereof can be made. The coroner may lock the premises and apply a seal to the door or doors prohibiting entrance to the premises, pending arrival of a legally authorized representative of the deceased. However, this shall not be done in such a manner as to interfere with the investigation being conducted by other law enforcement agencies. Any costs arising from the premises being locked or sealed while occupied by property of the deceased may be a proper and legal charge against the estate of the deceased. Unless expressly permitted by law, any person who enters any premises or tampers with or removes any lock or seal in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Any property or evidence related to the investigation or prosecution of any known or suspected criminal death may, with knowledge of the coroner, be delivered to a law enforcement agency or district attorney, receipt for which shall be acknowledged.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d), any person who searches for or removes any papers, moneys, valuable property or weapons constituting the estate of the deceased from the person of the deceased or from the premises, prior to arrival of the coroner or without the permission of the coroner, is guilty of a misdemeanor. At the scene of any death, when it is immediately apparent or when it has not been previously recognized and the coroner’s examination reveals that police investigation or criminal prosecution may ensue, the coroner shall not further disturb the body or any related evidence until the law enforcement agency has had reasonable opportunity to respond to the scene, if their purposes so require and they so request. Custody and control of the body shall remain with the coroner at all times. Reasonable time at the scene shall be allowed by the coroner for criminal investigation by other law enforcement agencies, with the time and location of removal of the remains to a convenient place to be determined at the discretion of the coroner.
(d) A peace officer may search the person or property on or about the person of the deceased, whose death is due to a traffic accident, for a driver’s license or identification card to determine if an anatomical donor card is attached. If a peace officer locates such an anatomical donor card which indicates that the deceased is an anatomical donor, the peace officer shall immediately furnish such information to the coroner having jurisdiction.
“Peace officer,” as used in this subdivision, means only those persons designated in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 of the Penal Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 304, Sec. 5.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.42.

27491.42. (a) For purposes of this section, “sudden unexplained death in childhood” means the sudden death of a child one year of age or older but under 18 years of age that is unexplained by the history of the child and where a thorough postmortem examination fails to demonstrate an adequate cause of death.
(b) The coroner shall notify the parent or responsible adult of a child described in subdivision (a) about the importance of taking tissue samples.
(c) A coroner shall not be liable for damages in a civil action for any act or omission in compliance with this section.
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 614, Sec. 1. (AB 620) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.44.

27491.44. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the coroner is authorized to do all of the following:
(a) Assist the people of this state, as appropriate, in the implementation of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act contained in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 7150) of Part 1 of Division 7 of the Health and Safety Code, and in the otherwise lawful utilization of medically proven organ and tissue transplant procedures.
(b) Cooperate in the authorized removal and timely disposition of human organs and tissue from the bodies of deceased persons, including victims of homicide, in accordance with law and accepted medical practice.
(c) Assist medical and health service agencies in identifying donors of human organs and tissues, for purposes of providing life-enhancing benefits of transplant surgery to recipients under duly sanctioned medical conditions.
(d) Ask the deceased person’s next of kin, at the time of notification of death, whether the deceased was a donor or if the family was a donor family. If not, the coroner is authorized to inform them of their option to donate viable organs and tissues.
(e) Enter into agreements with one or more procurement organizations to coordinate organ recovery procedures within that coroner’s jurisdiction or in cooperation with other coroners throughout the state.
(f) Contract with or receive assistance of any kind from any public or private entity for the purpose of providing education and training to his or her personnel in pathology or any other area of the healing arts and sciences that will assist in timely determination of the causes of death.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 827, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.46.

27491.46. (a) The coroner shall have the right to retain pituitary glands solely for transmission to a university, for use in research or the advancement of medical science, in those cases in which the coroner has required an autopsy to be performed pursuant to this chapter, and during a 48-hour period following such autopsy the body has not been claimed and the coroner has not been informed of any relatives of the decedent.
(b) In the course of any autopsy, the coroner may cause to be removed the pituitary gland from the body for transmittal to any public agency for use in manufacturing a hormone necessary for the physical growth of persons who are, or may become, hypopituitary dwarfs, if the coroner has no knowledge of objection to the removal and release of the pituitary gland having been made by the decedent or any other person specified in Section 7151.5 of the Health and Safety Code. Neither the coroner nor the medical examiner authorizing the removal of the pituitary gland, nor any hospital, medical center, tissue bank, storage facility, or person acting upon the request, order, or direction of the coroner or medical examiner in the removal of the pituitary gland pursuant to this section, shall incur civil liability for the removal of the pituitary gland in an action brought by any person who did not object prior to the removal of the pituitary gland, nor be subject to criminal prosecution for removal of the pituitary gland pursuant to the authority of this section.
Nothing in this subdivision shall supersede the terms of any gift made pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 7150) of Part 1 of Division 7 of the Health and Safety Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 787, Sec. 4. (SB 1189) Effective January 1, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.47.

27491.47. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the coroner may, in the course of an autopsy, authorize the removal and release of corneal eye tissue from a body within the coroner’s custody, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The autopsy has otherwise been authorized.
(2) The coroner has no knowledge of objection to the removal and release of corneal tissue having been made by the decedent or any other person specified in Section 7151 of the Health and Safety Code and has obtained any one of the following:
(A) A dated and signed written consent by the donor or any other person specified in Section 7151 of the Health and Safety Code on a form that clearly indicates the general intended use of the tissue and contains the signature of at least one witness.
(B) Proof of the existence of a recorded telephonic consent by the donor or any other person specified in Section 7151 of the Health and Safety Code in the form of an audio recording of the conversation or a transcript of the recorded conversation, which indicates the general intended use of the tissue.
(C) A document recording a verbal telephonic consent by the donor or any other person specified in Section 7151 of the Health and Safety Code, witnessed and signed by no fewer than two members of the requesting entity, hospital, eye bank, or procurement organization, memorializing the consenting person’s knowledge of and consent to the general intended use of the gift.
The form of consent obtained under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) shall be kept on file by the requesting entity and the official agency for a minimum of three years.
(3) The removal of the tissue will not unnecessarily mutilate the body, be accomplished by enucleation, nor interfere with the autopsy.
(4) The tissue will be removed by a licensed physician and surgeon or a trained transplant technician.
(5) The tissue will be released to a public or nonprofit facility for transplant, therapeutic, or scientific purposes.
(b) Neither the coroner nor medical examiner authorizing the removal of the corneal tissue, nor any hospital, medical center, tissue bank, storage facility, or person acting upon the request, order, or direction of the coroner or medical examiner in the removal of corneal tissue pursuant to this section, shall incur civil liability for the removal in an action brought by any person who did not object prior to the removal of the corneal tissue, nor be subject to criminal prosecution for the removal of the corneal tissue pursuant to this section.
(c) This section shall not be construed to interfere with the ability of a person to make an anatomical gift pursuant to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 7150) of Part 1 of Division 7 of the Health and Safety Code).
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 787, Sec. 5. (SB 1189) Effective January 1, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.5.

27491.5. The cause of death appearing on a certificate of death signed by the coroner shall be in conformity with facts ascertained from inquiry, autopsy and other scientific findings. In case of death without medical attendance and without violence, casualty, criminal or undue means, the coroner may, without holding an inquest or autopsy, make the certificate of death from statements of relatives, persons last in attendance, or persons present at the time of death, after due medical consultation and opinion has been given by one qualified and licensed to practice medicine and so recorded in the records of the death, providing such information affords clear grounds to establish the correct medical cause of death within accepted medical practice and within the requirements for accuracy prescribed by the Division of Vital Statistics of the State Department of Health Services. The coroner shall not finally exclude crime, suicide, or accident as a cause of death because of lack of evidence.
(Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 373.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.55.

27491.55. In any case where a coroner is required to inquire into a death pursuant to Section 27491, the coroner may delegate his or her jurisdiction over the death to an agency of another county or the federal government when all of the following conditions have been met:
(a) The other agency has either requested the delegation of jurisdiction, or has agreed to take jurisdiction at the request of the coroner.
(b) The other agency has the authority to perform the functions being delegated.
(c) When both the coroner and the other agency have a jurisdictional interest or involvement in the death.
(Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1139, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.6.

27491.6. The coroner may also, in his discretion, if the circumstances warrant, hold an inquest, and he shall hold an inquest if requested to do so by the Attorney General, the district attorney, sheriff, city prosecutor, city attorney, or a chief of police of a city in the county in which such coroner has jurisdiction. Such inquest shall be held with or without a jury, at the coroner’s discretion and shall be open to the public.
(Amended by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1220.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.7.

27491.7. The coroner, his authorized deputy, or a hearing officer shall conduct the inquest.
(Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1220.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27491.8.

27491.8. (a) When the coroner seeks a confidential communication of a deceased person that is privileged under Article 6 (commencing with Section 990) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 1010) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code, by means of a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, for the purpose of inquiry into, and determination of, the circumstances, manner, and cause of death as set forth in Section 27491, or for the sole purpose of being introduced as evidence at a coroner’s inquest proceeding, the coroner shall provide notice to the decedent’s personal representative personally or at his or her last known address, not less than 15 days prior to the date the records are to be delivered to the presiding judge of the superior court. The notice shall inform the personal representative that he or she may provide to the court a written objection to the disclosure or to any part thereof, on or before the date for delivery thereof to the court. The custodian shall deliver the records to the presiding judge of the superior court in a confidential manner. The presiding judge shall examine the records in camera. If there is good cause, the presiding judge shall direct the custodian to disclose to the coroner those portions of the records which the judge determines are relevant to the coroner’s inquiry or inquest.
(b) A communication made available to the coroner pursuant to this section is confidential, except insofar as it is introduced into evidence at a coroner’s inquest proceeding, and shall not be distributed or made available to any other person, agency, firm, or corporation.
(c) This communication shall not be admissible as former testimony pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1290) of Chapter 2 of Division 10 of the Evidence Code.
(d) After the investigation or inquest has terminated, the court shall order the records thereof to be sealed as necessary to protect the confidentiality of the decedent’s medical or mental health information.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2003.
(Repealed (in Sec. 3) and added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1068, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001. Section operative January 1, 2003, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27492.

27492. The coroner shall summon, or cause to be summoned by any sheriff or policeman, not less than nine nor more than 15 persons, qualified by law to serve as jurors, to appear before him forthwith, either at the place where the body of the deceased is or at some other convenient place within the county designated by him, or at the request of the district attorney, to inquire into the cause of the death.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 872, Sec. 57. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27493.

27493. No person summoned is exempt from jury duty except at the discretion of the coroner. No person shall be summoned as juror who is related to the decedent or is charged with or suspected of the killing, nor shall anyone be summoned who is known to be prejudiced for or against him. No person selected or summoned to appear as a juror is subject to be challenged by any party.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27497.

27497. After the jury has been sworn and charged by the coroner it may, if deemed necessary and so ordered by him, go with him to view and examine the body of the deceased person. On order of the coroner the jury shall retire to any convenient place specified by him to hear the testimony of witnesses and deliberate upon its verdict.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27498.

27498. (a) The coroner may issue subpoenas for witnesses, returnable forthwith or at such time and place as the coroner appoints, which may be served by any competent person. The coroner may also require any such witness to bring with him or her any books, records, documents, or other things under the control of the witness which, in the opinion of the coroner, are necessary to the conduct of the inquest and as a further aid in determining the circumstances, manner, and cause of death of the decedent. To enforce the provisions of this section, the coroner may issue subpoenas duces tecum in accordance with Section 1985 of the Code of Civil Procedure. In case of failure of a witness to attend, and in the case of a subpoena duces tecum, for the failure to produce the items set forth therein, the coroner, or the coroner’s authorized deputy, issuing the subpoena upon proof of service thereof, and the failure of the witness, may certify the facts to the superior court in the county where the proceedings are held. The court shall thereupon issue an order directing the person to appear before the court and show cause why he or she should not be ordered to comply. The order and a copy of the certified statement shall be served on the person. Thereafter the court shall have jursidiction of the matter. The same proceedings shall be had, the same penalties may be imposed and the person charged may purge himself or herself of the contempt in the same way as in the case of a person who has committed a contempt in the trial of a civil action before a superior court. The items set forth on the subpoena duces tecum shall not be made public unless an inquest is held.
(b) Any books, records, documents, or other things under the control of a law enforcement agency, subpoenaed pursuant to subdivision (a), shall not themselves be made a part of the record in any coroner’s inquest without the written consent of the law enforcement agency, when such inquest pertains to a death caused by a police officer.
(Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1198.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27499.

27499. The coroner shall summon and examine as witnesses every person who in his opinion or that of any of the jury has any knowledge of the facts. He may summon a surgeon or physician to inspect the body or hold a post mortem examination or a chemist to make an analysis of the stomach or the tissues of the deceased and give a professional opinion as to the cause of the death.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27499.1.

27499.1. Where the names and addresses of possible witnesses have been furnished to the coroner by the next of kin of the deceased, an attorney for the next of kin, or the district attorney, the coroner shall, if it reasonably appears to him that the persons named are in fact necessary witnesses, subpoena such persons to appear at the inquest hearing.
(Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1220.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27500.

27500. Any witness served with a subpena who wilfully and without reasonable excuse fails to attend and testify is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27501.

27501. The coroner may adjourn the inquest from time to time as may be necessary.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27502.

27502. The coroner shall cause the testimony given by any witness to be reduced to writing or recorded either in shorthand or by a mechanical recording device. It may, if recorded, at his discretion, be transcribed into typewriting by him or under his direction. He may employ a clerk or stenographer for the purpose. When the testimony is taken down by a stenographer, his duly certified transcription thereof constitutes the deposition of the witness. The compensation of the clerk or stenographer shall be the same as that allowed to stenographers in the superior court of the county and is a legal charge against the county.
(Amended by Stats. 1947, Ch. 575.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27502.2.

27502.2. The inquest verdict or decision shall be inadmissible as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding.
(Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1220.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27503.

27503. The transcript of the testimony of the witnesses examined in the coroner’s inquest shall be completed and filed within 10 days following the inquest with either the coroner’s office or the county clerk as determined by the board of supervisors.
(Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1175.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27504.

27504. After hearing the testimony, the jury shall render its verdict and certify it by an inquisition in writing signed by the members of the jury, or the coroner shall render his decision if the inquest is by the coroner sitting without a jury, setting forth the name of the deceased, the time and place of death, the medical cause of death and whether the death was by (1) natural causes, (2) suicide, (3) accident, or (4) the hands of another person other than by accident. Such findings shall not include nor shall they make any reference to civil or criminal responsibility on the part of the deceased or any other person.
(Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1573.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27504.1.

27504.1. If the findings are that the deceased met his or her death at the hands of another, the coroner shall, in addition to filing the report in his or her office or with the county clerk, as determined by the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 27503, transmit his or her written findings to the district attorney, the police agency wherein the dead body was recovered, and any other police agency requesting copies of the findings.
The findings and conclusions provided for in this article shall be sufficient to satisfy the cause of death information required in death certificates under Section 102875 of the Health and Safety Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 36. Effective January 1, 2003.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27511.

27511. There shall be but one inquest upon a body, unless that taken is set aside by the court, and there shall be but one inquest held upon several bodies of persons who were killed by the same cause and died at the same time.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2 - Inquests › Section 27512.

27512. If it appears that an error in the identity of the body has been made by the jury, the coroner may call another inquest without reference to the court, and a memorandum of the error shall be entered upon the erroneous inquisition.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2.5 - Autopsy › Section 27520.

27520. (a) The coroner shall cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has not already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him or her to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner shall cause an autopsy to be performed if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(b) The coroner may cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him or her to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner may cause an autopsy to be performed if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(c) The cost of an autopsy requested pursuant to either subdivision (a) or (b) shall be borne by the person requesting that it be performed.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 787, Sec. 6. (SB 1189) Effective January 1, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2.5 - Autopsy › Section 27521.1.

27521.1. The law enforcement agency investigating the death of an unidentified person shall report the death to the Department of Justice, in a format acceptable to the Department of Justice, no later than 10 calendar days after the date the body or human remains were discovered.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 284, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 2.5 - Autopsy › Section 27522.

27522. (a) A forensic autopsy shall only be conducted by a licensed physician and surgeon. The results of a forensic autopsy shall only be determined by a licensed physician and surgeon.
(b) A forensic autopsy shall be defined as an examination of a body of a decedent to generate medical evidence for which the cause of death is determined. At the direction and supervision of a coroner, a medical examiner, or a licensed physician and surgeon, trained county personnel who are necessary to the performance of an autopsy may take body measurements or retrieve blood, urine, or vitreous samples from the body of a decedent.
(c) For purposes of this section, a postmortem examination shall be defined as the external examination of the body where no manner or cause of death is determined.
(d) For purposes of this section, the manner of death shall be determined by the coroner or medical examiner of a county. If a forensic autopsy is conducted by a licensed physician and surgeon, the coroner or medical examiner shall consult with the licensed physician and surgeon in the determination of the manner of death.
(e) For health and safety purposes, all persons in the autopsy suite shall be informed of the risks presented by bloodborne pathogens and that they should wear personal protective equipment in accordance with the requirements described in Section 5193 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations or its successor.
(f) (1) Only individuals who are directly involved in the investigation of the death of the decedent shall be allowed into the autopsy suite.
(2) If an individual dies due to the involvement of law enforcement activity, law enforcement personnel directly involved in the death of that individual shall not be involved with any portion of the postmortem examination, nor allowed inside the autopsy suite during the performance of the autopsy.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), individuals may be permitted in the autopsy suite for educational and research purposes at the discretion of the coroner and in consultation with any licensed physician and surgeon conducting an autopsy.
(g) Any police reports, crime scene or other information, videos, or laboratory tests that are in the possession of law enforcement and are related to a death that is incident to law enforcement activity shall be made available to the physician and surgeon who conducts the autopsy prior to the completion of the investigation of the death.
(h) This section shall not be construed to limit the practice of an autopsy for educational or research purposes.
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 787, Sec. 7. (SB 1189) Effective January 1, 2017.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 10 - Coroner › ARTICLE 3 - Vacancy › Section 27530.

27530. If the coroner is absent or unable to attend, the duties of his office may be discharged by any of his deputies with like authority and subject to the same obligations and penalties as the coroner.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27550.

27550. The surveyor shall be a person authorized to practice land surveying in this state. The surveyor shall be elected in the same manner and for the same term as other county officers unless the board of supervisors of the county shall have provided by ordinance for his or her appointment by the board. If so appointed, the surveyor shall serve at the will of the board.
(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 116, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27550.1.

27550.1. The qualifications for eligibility to a county or district office, required by Section 24001 of this Code, shall not apply to candidates or applicants for, or a person elected or appointed to, the office of surveyor in a county containing a population of under 20,000 as determined by the 1960 federal decennial census.
(Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 2091.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27550.2.

27550.2. Notwithstanding Section 27550, in Solano County, the county surveyor is not an elected position and may be appointed by the Director of Transportation if the board of supervisors have so provided by ordinance for that appointment. If so appointed, the surveyor shall serve at the will of the director.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 407, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27551.

27551. The surveyor shall make any survey that is required by order of court or the board of supervisors. He shall keep a correct and fair record of all surveys made by him, number them in the order made, and preserve a copy of the field notes and calculations of each survey, and shall endorse thereon its proper number. A copy of the survey and a fair and accurate plat, together with a certificate of survey, shall be furnished by him to any person upon application and payment of the fees allowed by law.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1433.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27552.

27552. Any person owning or claiming land which is divided by county lines and who wishes to have it surveyed may apply to the surveyor of any county in which any part of the land is situated. Upon such application, the surveyor shall make the survey, which is as valid as though the land were situated entirely within the county.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27553.

27553. When the title of land which is in dispute before any court, is divided by a county line, the court making an order of survey may direct the order to the surveyor of any county in which any part of the land is situated.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27554.

27554. When required the surveyor shall aid and assist the State Lands Commission in making surveys within the county.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27555.

27555. When the surveyor is interested in any land, the title to which is in dispute, and a survey is necessary, the court shall direct the survey to be made by some disinterested person. The person so appointed is for that purpose authorized to administer and certify oaths. He shall return the survey, verified by his annexed affidavit, and receive for his services the same fees as the surveyor would be entitled to for similar service.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27556.

27556. The surveyor shall copy, plat, or trace each map filed for record in the office of the county recorder, at the cost of the party filing the map, and is ex officio deputy recorder for the county for such purposes. All maps or plats filed by a licensed land surveyor and such other maps and plats as are filed and are thereby made a record are exempt from this section.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27557.

27557. The surveyor shall plat, trace, blueprint, or otherwise make all county, road, district, and other maps and, at the request of the assessor, make all assessors’ block-books for the county.
(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1187, Sec. 4.5. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27558.

27558. The board of supervisors may provide and pay from county funds for the making or purchase of the maps and block-books by contract with some other competent person, if any of the following conditions exist:
(a) The office of the assessor is not provided with maps and block-books.
(b) The maps or block-books in the office of the assessor are insufficient or defective and the surveyor neglects or refuses to make them.
(c) The facilities of the surveyor’s office are inadequate to do so.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27559.

27559. In the preparation of assessors’ maps and block-books the surveyor shall make all investigations and surveys necessary to provide complete and accurate maps.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27560.

27560. All maps which are platted, traced, blueprinted, or otherwise so made for the county and all data obtained by the surveyor or person making them from other sources is the property of the county.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27561.

27561. The board of supervisors may provide for the sale at not less than cost of copies of maps prepared for the use of the assessor.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)
2023 California Code › Government Code - GOV › TITLE 3 - GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES › DIVISION 2 - OFFICERS › PART 3 - OTHER OFFICERS › CHAPTER 11 - Surveyor › ARTICLE 1 - Duties Generally › Section 27562.

27562. The surveyor shall make such surveys of county roads and perform such other engineering work as the board of supervisors directs. All surveys shall be tied by courses and distances to the corners of legal subdivisions through which they pass or to natural or artificial monuments. All such maps and field notes of surveys shall be filed in the office of the surveyor and are the property of the county.
(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)