Chapter 5. Obtaining Possession Of Office of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 1. >> Chapter 5.

Every officer is entitled to the possession of all books and papers pertaining to his office, or in the custody of a former incumbent by virtue of his office.

If any person, including a former incumbent, refuses or neglects to deliver to the actual incumbent any such books or papers, the actual incumbent may petition any court of record sitting in the county where the person so refusing or neglecting resides, or any judge of the superior court residing therein.

After notice to the adverse party, the court or judge shall proceed in a summary way to hear the allegations and proof of the parties, and to order any such books or papers to be delivered to the petitioner.

The execution of the order and the delivery of the books and papers may be enforced by:
  (a) Attachment as for a witness.
  (b) At the request of the petitioner, by a warrant directed to the sheriff of the county commanding him to search for those books and papers, and to take and deliver them to the petitioner.

Every person who wilfully and knowingly intrudes himself into any public office to which he has not been elected or appointed, and every person who, having been an executive, administrative or ministerial officer, wilfully exercises any of the functions of his office after his term has expired, and a successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Every officer whose office is abolished by law, or who, after the expiration of the time for which he may be appointed or elected, or after he has resigned or been legally removed from office, willfully and unlawfully
  (a) Mutilates, destroys, or takes away the records, papers, documents, or other writings appertaining or belonging to his office, or
  (b) Withholds or detains from his successor, or other person entitled thereto, the records, papers, documents, or other writings appertaining or belonging to his office, or any money or property in his custody as such officer, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.