Motion to Seal Records Filed In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
25CV025304: DANTZLER vs AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 08/06/2026 Hearing on Motion to Seal Records Filed In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 16C
Tentative Ruling
Defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc.s (Defendant) motion to seal portions of exhibits filed in support of Defendants motion for summary judgment is UNOPPOSED and GRANTED.
This is a breach of warranty case, brought under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Plaintiff Deandre Tyron Dantzler (Plaintiff) alleges that the 2024 Honda Prologue (the Vehicle) he leased from Honda Van Nuys suffered from problems with the Vehicles front axle.
Defendant moves to seal the 18-page Exhibit 2 that Defendant submitted in support of Defendants motion for summary judgment. Exhibit 2 is a printout from Defendants Customer Retention and Resolution System (CRRS) related to communications between Plaintiff and his attorney and Defendants representatives regarding Plaintiffs vehicle. Defendant contends the exhibit contains confidential trade secret information regarding how Defendant handles and remedies warranty inquiries from its customers.
Defendants supporting declaration from Jennifer Pacheco, Mediation Quality Assurance Supervisor, states the following:
5. AHM treats its CRRS documentation as confidential trade secret information because it reveals: (1) the operation of AHMs customer support activities, (2) its communications with customers, (3) its policies and procedures for handling customer inquiries, including the consideration of customer buy-back requests, (4) personal identification information of the customer, (5) customer account numbers, (7) AHMs employees personal information, (8) AHMs procedure for determining repurchase value, and (9) AHMs communications with its attorneys regarding customer interactions.
Before Exhibit 2 was prepared to file in this action, any potentially attorney-client privilege information was redacted. However, the document still contains confidential information. For example, it contains personal information regarding the Plaintiff, including his lease account number, and the calculation of the offered repurchase.
6. AHM considers the information contained in Exhibit 2 and other CRRS reports as a trade secret because it is information that could be valuable to a competitor. AHM keeps this information secret from the public and its competitors. AHM only produces CRRS reports in litigation subject to a protective order between the parties. It is my
Looking for case law or statutes not cited here? Search published authorities
Examples: “Why did the court rule this way?” · “What were the procedural grounds?” · “Is appearance required?”
25CV025304: DANTZLER vs AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 08/06/2026 Hearing on Motion to Seal Records Filed In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 16C
understanding that there has been no protective order entered in this action because no documents have been requested by Plaintiff at this point.
(Declaration of Jennifer Pacheco, ¶¶ 5-6.)
A court may order a record to be filed under seal only if it expressly finds facts establishing: (1) there exists an overriding interest that overcomes the right of public access to the record; (2) the overriding interest supports sealing the record; (3) a substantial probability exists that the overriding interest will be prejudiced if the record is not sealed; (4) the proposed sealing is narrowly tailored; and (5) no less restrictive means exist to achieve the overriding interest. (California Rules of Court, rule 2.550(d); NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV), Inc. v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1178, 1217-1218.)
The Court finds that Defendants motion meets this standard. Accordingly, Defendants motion is GRANTED.
The minute order is effective immediately. No formal order pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1312, or further notice is required.
NOTICE:
Consistent with Local Rule 1.06(B), any party requesting oral argument on any matter on this calendar must comply with the following procedure:
To request limited oral argument, on any matter on this calendar, you must call the Department 16C Oral Argument Request Line at (916) 874-1475 by 4:00 p.m. the Court day before the hearing and advise opposing counsel. At the time of requesting oral argument, the requesting party shall leave a voice mail message: a) identifying themselves as the party requesting oral argument; b) indicating the specific matter/motion for which they are requesting oral argument; and c) confirming that it has notified the opposing party of its intention to appear and that opposing party may appear via Zoom using the Zoom link and Meeting ID indicated below. If no
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
25CV025304: DANTZLER vs AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 08/06/2026 Hearing on Motion to Seal Records Filed In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 16C
request for oral argument is made, the tentative ruling becomes the final order of the Court.
Unless ordered to appear in person by the Court, parties may appear remotely either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform with notice to the Court and all other parties in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure §367.75. Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings.
The Department 16C Zoom Link is https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16030877014 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 160 3087 7014. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government code §68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956. Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed on the Court Reporter Services webpage available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://saccourt.ca.gov/general-information/court-reporter-services-transcripts. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://saccourt.ca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/227/639084034465370000.
A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not using a reporter from the Courts Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list. Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will forward the form to the Court Reporters Office and an official reporter will be provided.
*** EFFECTIVE APRIL 13, 2026, THIS DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED TO THE TANI G. CANTIL- SAKAUYE COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 500 G STREET IN SACRAMENTO, CA 95814. ALL HEARINGS NOTICED FOR DEPARTMENT 54 WILL BE HEARD IN DEPARTMENT 16C OF THE
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
25CV025304: DANTZLER vs AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 08/06/2026 Hearing on Motion to Seal Records Filed In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 16C
NEW COURTHOUSE. ***