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View Full Version : Records of a traffic stop


yolanda09
01-02-10, 02:59 PM
Do police departments keep track of when a cop calls in after stopping someone, even if they don't arrest the person?


Cat_Doc
01-02-10, 03:00 PM
Most agencies do.

yolanda09
01-02-10, 03:06 PM
So how should I go about finding out? I am dealing with a situation right now that I have to go to court about and this bit of information would help me greatly.


Samuel
01-02-10, 03:11 PM
So how should I go about finding out? I am dealing with a situation right now that I have to go to court about and this bit of information would help me greatly.

your lawyer can help you with that

Cat_Doc
01-02-10, 03:12 PM
So how should I go about finding out? I am dealing with a situation right now that I have to go to court about and this bit of information would help me greatly.

Call the agency you were stopped by. Ask them if they maintained a record of it and how you may get that released to you under the Freedom of Information Act. It usually will cost you some administrative costs for labor and paperwork. Be prepared to tell them the license plate number of the vehicle you were driving, date and approximate time of stop and where the stop occurred.

Cat_Doc
01-02-10, 03:13 PM
your lawyer can help you with that

Samuel is absolutely correct. An attorney will be able to help you out. He/she will know the proper steps.

txinvestigator1
01-02-10, 04:01 PM
So how should I go about finding out? I am dealing with a situation right now that I have to go to court about and this bit of information would help me greatly.

Generally police files are not available for you for court. You have a right to whatever evidence the DA has, but not the police.

You can, as has been suggested, request records under the freedom of information act (or whatever they call it in your state). However, they do not have to release it to you just because you filed the request. The PD can request an Attorney General ruling on releasing the info. Than can take over 10 days, and the AG may rule against you.