BARRENDA L. v. Superior Court

In these related writ proceedings we conclude that the County of Los Angeles and various of its employees, real parties in interest, have failed to demonstrate good cause to require petitioners to answer questions at depositions relating to sexual encounters other than those directly at issue in this litigation. We also conclude that real parties have failed to demonstrate good cause to require an independent psychological examination designed to invade the same privacy rights addressed during the depositions. Accordingly, we issue a writ of mandate directing the trial court to reverse its rulings ordering petitioners to answer the deposition questions and ordering petitioners to undergo the psychiatric examinations.

Statement of Facts

The Action

Petitioners are Barrenda L. and Shiffon B., each of whom was a minor at the time of the alleged incidents that gave rise to this litigation. Each is a plaintiff in an action against real parties in interest in Los Angeles County Superior Court case No. BC149788.

It is alleged in the second amended complaint that Shiffon B. was declared a dependent child under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 shortly after her birth…