Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Criminal case from 1935

My grandfather was arrested in 1935 on an illegal operations charge in Los Angeles. He died in 1981. I live in Michigan, so its difficult to get information. But on my last trip to Los Angeles, I went to court for a court order for access to the file. I won the case. But there is no testimony in what was given to me. It is important to me, that I view the testimony, if it still exists. But I have no idea what I would have to do, in order to get access to it. Please help.


Asked on 7/30/07, 12:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Criminal case from 1935

You're serious? You think a 72-year old, long forgotten and stored case folder is going to have anything in it? What you see is what you get. They didn't keep records then like today, and they certainly didn't keep trial 'testimony', meaning Certified Shorthand Reporter tapes, in the court file anyway. The reporter, if there was one, is long dead and gone, and so are the tapes they stored. The only 'testimony' in the court file or in the police dept file would be witness statements and officer reports. Back to, what you see is what you get.

Read more
Answered on 7/30/07, 2:45 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in California