Acquiring Crim. History Documents

[ferretray]

Howdy folks. I got a letter from DPS ref. providing documentation related to a DWI and misdemeanor from the early 80's. Provide the paperwork within 90 days or my application is terminated.
The DWI occured in San Diego, Ca. A check of their website shows that they purge their records system of DWI's after 10 years (I checked their system and my DWI is not on record). Can I just refer DPS to the San Diego website? I doubt anyone in the San Diego system is going to send me a certified statement as to their administrative rules.
The misdemeanor occured in Al. The Al website seems somewhat archaic. Anyone here ever try to get court records from Montgomery, Al.? Will I end up needing to have a local lawyer get the record?
Thanks in advance, Ray

[dicion]

You should probably call them, and get a certified copy of the disposition. (I know it's actually called something else, and someone will chime in here soon with it's name as it's known to the clerks).

If they can't find anything, you need a certified copy saying just that, that there are no records found.

They Will send it to you if you call and ask for it properly. They may charge a small fee for it, but afaik, they cannot refuse to do it, as it is public record.

Many people here have had to do this in states outside texas. Hopefully one will chime in with a little more information then I have.

[Crossfire]

Ray,

You need a written statement from San Diego stating that they have no records on you. Telling DPS to just go look at the website won't get you very far.

For Alabama, contact the agency that heard your case (county criminal court, or whoever it was) and ask how to get a copy of you records. You shouldn't need a lawyer for either of these.

[joe817]

You should probably call them, and get a certified copy of the disposition. (I know it's actually called something else, and someone will chime in here soon with it's name as it's known to the clerks).

What we call 'disposition'(which really most accurately describes what we need for DPS), the clerks I talked to from Tarrant county, Arlington, and Euless....all called it "Final Judgment and Sentence". That term is even used on the Tarrant county paperwork I got from them on my disposition.

Hope that helps, and good luck in obtaining what you need for DPS.