Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of brackets and ellipses, especially when citing cumbersome cases and statutes. But getting carried away with redacting authority carries the danger of distorting plain meaning.
My colleague Jake Risner offers this example.
Penal Code section 750, "Reinstatement of Night Court:"
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the event that [the relevant authorities in Los Angeles County have] discontinued, on or after December 1, 1991, a nightcourt . . . program . . . the . . . program shall . . . be substantially reinstated, with at least the average level of staffing and [] scheduling which occurred during the period of six months immediately prior to December 1, 1991."
Who knew the Legislature had mandated the return of Judge Harry T. Stone, ADA Dan Fielding, and APD Christine Sullivan . . . let alone Bull and Mac?
(It's too late, the opening bass line from the theme song is already in your head. Click here to indulge yourself.)
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