Attorney, Counsel, or Public Defender

a: For legal case file of attorney or counsel:
RETENTION: 6 years after case closed, or 0 after any minor involved attains age 21, whichever is later
NOTES: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of significant cases which have importance or which set major legal precedents. For instance, local governments may wish to permanently retain files for cases concerning major local controversies, issues, individuals and organizations which are likely to be the subject of ongoing research or which result in decisions or rulings of major significance to the local government or community or to the entire state. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area. In addition, local governments may wish to retain the complaint and release for routine cases longer for convenience of reference.
Evidence, including video and audio recordings, should be returned to law enforcement or owner as appropriate. Local law enforcement should retain evidence as long as the corresponding case investigative file, item no. 1222.

b: For legal case file of public defender:
RETENTION: Retain until 6 years after case closed, or 0 after any minor client attains age 21, whichever is later. Subsequent to this period, the file must continue to be maintained until death of the client concerned, 80 years after date of birth of the client concerned, or the client concerned provides instructions on disposition of the file, whichever is earlier.
NOTES: This retention period provides for lengthy retention of case files in the absence of instructions from the client on the disposition of the records, such as to transfer the file to the client or to destroy the file. This lengthy period will meet potential future needs of the client for the records or information they contain. These may include use in future civil or criminal matters, such as immigration, capital cases or other legal actions, in which records of previous criminal events and proceedings would be relevant.
Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently in the absence of any instructions from the client to the contrary. Local governments should consider permanent retention of significant cases which have importance or which set major legal precedents. For instance, local governments may wish to permanently retain files for cases concerning major local controversies, issues, individuals and organizations which are likely to be the subject of ongoing research or which result in decisions or rulings of major significance to the local government or community or to the entire state. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.