How do I obtain a copy of a criminal record from California? Does this fall under the freedom of information act?

Not sure if this will help at all??


California Free Public Records, Criminal Records And Sex Offenders Search

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You will probably have to write via regular old mail to the court of conviction you need the full name of the defendant usually date of birth and docket/ case number/s . unless it is sealed by a judge it is public record though not always easy to obtain many courts do not allow photocopying all you can do is read.You can request the under FOIA but it will take a while and thy might want to know why you are requesting them . If a plea deal was made it might be harder to get at .
I would start by contacting the court of conviction .

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Hey Lawdog knows the exact answer to this question. I remember he posted it one time but I can’t remember the thread it was on. You can try private messaging him. He’s a moderator and very helpful.

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

My PP was contacted by an attorney that told him he got too much time but my PP has no money so we are trying to see what we can come up with to help.

I'll contact Lawdog and see what he stays.

thanks

Hmmm. Thats more complicated. Have you tried a search for "pro bono" criminal law attorneys in the state your pen pal is incarcerated in? Did the crime take place in that same state? I think Lawdog can help you get the information but I shouldn't speak for other people. It seems like I remember him posting something about obtaining information from the courts using the "freedom of information act" specifically. So if Im understanding, he was found guilty, yet this other attorney felt over charged and over sentenced?

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

If you go to openaccess.gov.com and click on State & Local it will take you any state you want. All info is free and printable.

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i tried that site and i found it really hard to navigate. This may sound like an odd question, they dont put any pics up on there as well do they?

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No, I've found the only stae to do that so far is Texas.

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Society has erected the gallows at the end of the lane instead of guideposts and direction boards at the beginning.
Bulwer-Lytton

The only thing that website does is give you links to all other State and Federal websites. It doesn't specifically help you find what you're looking for in this case.

There are many ways to get the information you seek, but much will depend upon accessing specific information that will lead to the final result. Sometimes, it is a major search, just to find the information you need to finally do a search for the actual information you want.

The FOIA applies mostly to the Federal government, but every State has its own version of an Open Records Act. Even in a plea deal, most of the records are available, though some may be redacted (covered up, or blanked out). Furthermore, the rules as far as making copies will vary - some Courts will allow you to examine the record and copy what you need, paying a small copy fee. Other Courts will actually copy the whole record for you and charge not only for copies but for administrative costs of pulling the file and making the copies.

In all cases, in every State Open Records Act, you ARE entitled to copies of the record (assuming the case has been adjudicated) with only minor exceptions. I've not found any State law yet that demands you state a purpose for wanting the copies. They ARE public record, and that would be the ONLY purpose necessary.

Now, let's consider the actual question being asked - "How do I obtain a copy of a criminal record from .....". If what you're looking for is a person's criminal HISTORY record, it's not generally going to be possible. There are websites that claim to be able to obtain this information for a fee, but the criminal history database is controlled by the FBI (through the National Crime Information Center) and access to such records are highly restricted.

If what you're looking for is the information relating to the person's case that resulted in his incarceration, that's a different question altogether. That's where you have to pound the pavement, and possibly make a personal visit to the Courthouse. There are very few Courts that are fully automated in that regard.