Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Criminal background check info

Hard to say. There's no Penal Code section listed. Could be a traffic ticket. And 25 years ago?? Best advice, disregard this and trust your instincts.

Re: Criminal background check info

The simplest way I can think of is to go to the criminal clerk in that county and get a copy of the docket on the case. You have the case number so it should be fairly simple. Thank you for your question...David Wallin

Re: Criminal background check info

Marin County limits public online access to cases, so all you know is that it was filed in December 1985 and resolved a year later in December 1986.

I can't even tell if it was a traffic citation, misdemeanor or felony.

If you're really curious - I suppose you could do the old fashioned thing and ask if he's got any record. If the records still exist, you could also go to the county court and ask to see the file.

Re: Criminal background check info

Go to the Criminal Clerk's Office on Floor C of the Civic Center and put in an order to pull the court file out of storage. You already have the case number, which is all you need. If it still exists, you can inspect it and learn the charges and the conviction and sentence. You don't need to give a reason, as it is a public record. The police report however, will not be public.

I have an idea however, why not give him a chance to answer about this first and see if he is honest about it. You could say someone told you he had gotten in trouble with the law once and ask if it's true. Then you'll REALLY find out something about him, won't you? If I liked someone but found out they had a minor shoplift 24 years ago, and they were honest about it, it might not change how I felt. If he lied however, THAT tells me something.

Good luck, and congrats on having the sense to look into it.

Re: Criminal background check info

I applaud your sensibility in researching your date! It seems like common sense to me, but I am always shocked and amazed how many women bury their heads in the sand and don't have the good sense to do even a cursory background check of a person with whom they are willing to spend personal time.

I had a brush with this not too long ago. I went on a few dates with a police detective, who I had known 15 years prior in high school, and who I assumed was beyond reproach. We were catching up on old times, and he said he had never been married and had no children. I did a little digging through public records and found records of his marriage, record of his daughter, and.... the kicker... no divorce record! He was married with children and had lied about it.

Anyway, you just never know. I couldn't help myself but share my little story and let you know you are doing the right thing by checking out your new beau. I also agree that you should give him the opportunity to lie about it (or tell the truth, as the case may be).

Best of luck to you!!!