Investigation guide
CSLB Criminal Referrals and District Attorney Referrals
Explanation of CSLB criminal and district-attorney referrals, referral packages, investigation records and the Minor case example.
CSLB may investigate suspected violations and refer information to a prosecuting agency. A referral is not a conviction and does not itself decide whether charges will be filed or proved.
01
What a referral can contain
The contents depend on the matter and may include reports, witness information, documents, recordings and other investigative material. The prosecutor makes an independent charging decision.
- Investigator reports
- Witness interviews or summaries
- Supporting records
- Evidence references
- Charging or arraignment materials
02
Retention of DA referral records
Item 140 of the schedule in this archive identifies DA criminal referrals, including licensee and non-licensee matters, with a ten-year retention period computed from final court disposition.
03
The Minor referral
The site compares a recorded interview with the written referral. Plaintiffs allege material discrepancies; Defendants dispute the claims. No allegation is presented as a judicial finding.
Questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions About CSLB Criminal Referrals and District Attorney Referrals
- Does a CSLB referral mean charges will be filed?
- No. The prosecuting agency decides what action to take.
- How long are CSLB DA referral records retained?
- The schedule published in this archive lists Item 140 at ten years from final court disposition; disputes can remain over which materials belong to that series.
Primary record
Related Source Documents
- S005Criminal Referral / Arraignment Package — Signature Page
Signature page establishing when the criminal referral / arraignment package was signed.
- S012CSLB Records Retention Schedule — Approval No. 2023-168
The Secretary-of-State-approved CSLB retention schedule, including Items 120 and 128–142.
- S020State Third Amended Complaint — Minor v. CSLB, et al.
Plaintiffs' current state-court pleading, its claims, factual narrative, and requested relief.
- S021Federal Amended Complaint Materials — Minor v. Flores & Martinez
Plaintiffs' federal civil-rights allegations and legal theories under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
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