Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Arrest Records

The simple answer is "with great difficulty" I am

afraid. Although the case file and most of its contents

are "public record" at any individual courthouse,

what is not public record is the person's "rap sheet"

or summary of criminal history.

Hence, you must go to the courthouse you suspect the

prior misbehavior to have been litigated and ask

to see the file on that particular name. Parts of

the file, such as police reports or probation reports

MAY be sealed but also may be right there open for

the reading. If they are sealed, you are not going

to get to read them. If you meet resistance in even

seeing the file, ask for a supervisor since they

are in fact public records.

It is about the best you can do. Some private

investigators allege that they can get rap sheets.

I would not advise it. It would be illegal.

Larry Bruce

Larry B. Bruce Attorney At Law

10532 Acacia St. Suite B-11