Deputy fired for checking driver's license status of celebrities and co-workers

**TXCharlie** · 03-20-06, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

The private detectives are probably paying for criminal record info. That's private unless you're LE or the subject signs a permission form to release it.

False in Texas at least - In fact, you can go onto the Texas DPS web site and pull people's criminal history:
https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/dp...unt/login.aspx

You would also be surprised what kinda stuff is available at the court house, especially if the object of your search has a Professional License, or has ever had a divorce where property was contested, ever been involved in a lawsuit, etc.

I learnt all that in my $70 intro PI class

**Virginian** · 03-20-06, 01:15 AM

Cool, I'm not in there - whew! Must run off phone books, since I intentionally keep myself out of them. PD says officers can even have their DL reflect that they live at the HQ, which is nice if your wallet were ever taken by someone not fond of you.

The private detectives are probably paying for criminal record info. That's private unless you're LE or the subject signs a permission form to release it.

Ah, maybe next time I should read the whole article, thought it was criminal info as well!

**Virginian** · 03-20-06, 01:17 AM

False in Texas at least - In fact, you can go onto the Texas DPS web site and pull people's criminal history:

Yeah that's the same here. Maybe just because only things you're found guilty of are posted? Not sure.

**Virginian** · 03-20-06, 01:20 AM

Can I obtain criminal history information on someone else?

In order to obtain criminal history information on another individual, you must obtain their consent for release of the record by completing a Request for Criminal History Information Form (SP-167) which can be downloaded from this Web site. The form requires the notarized signature of the requestor, as well as the person named in the record, and a fee of $15.00 is assessed for each request. The results will contain conviction information maintained in Virginia’s files. Please allow approximately 12-15 business days to receive your response.

Hmmm... weird, I know I've seen a site that had people's criminal histories on it, because I looked up several people I knew lol.

**TXCharlie** · 03-20-06, 01:28 AM

PublicData.com has criminal history for some states, not all.

There's very little detail, however, so to get a complete description of the crimes, get mugshots, and all that stuff you have to trot down to the court house

But they don't ask you to get permission from anyone - Conviction records are public.

I can even see who's in my county jail online - The Sheriff has a online database

**Virginian** · 03-20-06, 01:30 AM

haha! Cool

Found a guy I work with on the sex offender site a while back. That is not cool.

**Cochese** · 03-20-06, 03:14 AM

I have my address of my PD on my DL. It's against the law technically, but so is someone taking my wallet from me and killing my wife at home.

**Retdetsgt** · 03-20-06, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Cochese

I have my address of my PD on my DL. It's against the law technically, but so is someone taking my wallet from me and killing my wife at home.

In Oregon it's legal. You just have to have a command person sign a little card that verifies you're a cop there and send it in with your request. I kept my real address on my DL just because it was a hassle with cashing checks (pre debit cards), but I used the dept address on my vehicle licenses. I also kept nothing in my regular wallet that indicated I was a cop. I kept my badge, ID card and business cards in a badge holder.

Yeah, in Oregon criminal records are more secure. And private investigators here aren't held in very high regard I guess because they have absolutely no more power in anything than an ordinary citizen.

**cntryboy0531** · 03-20-06, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Cochese

I have my address of my PD on my DL. It's against the law technically, but so is someone taking my wallet from me and killing my wife at home.

In Florida we do other stuff besides that. My DMV Records are sealed and address information is not released to anyone. When my Tag or Drivers License Number is ran, it display's the Sheriff's Office address on the read out.

Same with any other public document. In florida it's a crime to publish an LEO's address or contact information. My agency is ANAL about not putting that information out and keeping it confidential.

**TXCharlie** · 03-20-06, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

And private investigators here aren't held in very high regard I guess because they have absolutely no more power in anything than an ordinary citizen.

True here too, except for the fact that an ordinary citizen cannot investigate people as a business - They have to have a individual PI license and working for a investigations company, or a investigation company license if they're working on their own.

I haven't gotten into the test yet, but if it's like other State tests, it's probably mostly a rundown of all the things you cannot do as a PI and what the penalities are - A lot of them are just common sense rules from what I hear - For example breaking into a house to collect information, or entrapment is frowned upon. Pretty much the same rules cops operate under with a few exceptions, like when it comes to detaining/arresting people, running red lights, and stuff like that

**Retdetsgt** · 03-20-06, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by cntryboy0531

In Florida we do other stuff besides that. My DMV Records are sealed and address information is not released to anyone. When my Tag or Drivers License Number is ran, it display's the Sheriff's Office address on the read out.

Same with any other public document. In florida it's a crime to publish an LEO's address or contact information. My agency is ANAL about not putting that information out and keeping it confidential.

That's a good idea. But in reality, it's not that hard to find out where you live if someone really wants to find you. We have a defense attorney here who routinely serves subpoenas on cops at their homes just for effect. I don't know how he gets the addresses, but it must not be all that hard. Think about this, if you subscribe to the local paper, they have your address.

I'm not a fatalist by any means, but if someone really wants to kill you, they will. And if they have any brains at all, you'll never see them beforehand.

**TXCharlie** · 03-20-06, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

I don't know how he gets the addresses, but it must not be all that hard. Think about this, if you subscribe to the local paper, they have your address.

Voting registration records, probably - That's public info! Yeah, paper boys and pizza delivery guys were mentioned in my PI class. Valuable source of information if you "approach" them right. I got the distinct impression that PI's are sneaky

**cntryboy0531** · 03-20-06, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

That's a good idea. But in reality, it's not that hard to find out where you live if someone really wants to find you. We have a defense attorney here who routinely serves subpoenas on cops at their homes just for effect. I don't know how he gets the addresses, but it must not be all that hard. Think about this, if you subscribe to the local paper, they have your address.

I'm not a fatalist by any means, but if someone really wants to kill you, they will. And if they have any brains at all, you'll never see them beforehand.

True on that last part, and I do realize that. However, I would like to make them work for it if they're going to do it.

We had a lawyer around here that tried to serve Subpoena's on Cop's at their homes. Our court process section flat out told him he could try it if he want's, but if court see's a home address anywhere on that Cop's subpoena, there will be hell to pay, and charges to follow.

**Whitewolf** · 03-20-06, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie

I can even see who's in my county jail online - The Sheriff has a online database

Hehehehehee..I remember I was curious looking who's in jail. It's fun when typing in my cousins' names, my cats' names, my kids' names, and my kids' dad's name. But one of these days, I decided to check my friends' names on it, and lo and behold, one of them WAS in jail.

He didn't want to tell me what happened, it's a misdemeanor. I talked to him and asked why is he's in jail? He said, some deaf ppl forced him to receive a stolen good, aaaiiiiii. Grrr! He doesn't has any common sense to use.

So I told him, "DON'T LISTEN to them anymore, listen to your heart which tell you 'NO!' And if they try to get you to steal something, tell them to shove their a$$ up and walk away. It's simple and pain-free. They will go to jail so beat it." So far, he has not contact any deaf friends/strangers for a long time, he spend more time with people who are not deaf now. Got a job and stay there which I'm happy to report. He said I'm not the only one who tell him that, even a police officer told him the same thing with the same lecture. At least, it's good for him to listen to us.

Now who else am I gonna check out?

**Retdetsgt** · 03-20-06, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie

Voti Yeah, paper boys and pizza delivery guys were mentioned in my PI class. Valuable source of information if you "approach" them right. I got the distinct impression that PI's are sneaky

They have to be ingenious since they don't have any real authority, at least here.

**Virginian** · 03-20-06, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie
Voti Yeah, paper boys and pizza delivery guys were mentioned in my PI class. Valuable source of information if you "approach" them right.

With wallet extended?

**cntryboy0531** · 03-20-06, 05:21 PM

I just got an E-mail from work reminding us about this. In Florida, miss-use of CJIS/NCIC/FCIC will get the agency's certification revoked, and criminal charges filed against the officer/deputy. So, that's why it's a big deal around here. I personally don't see what it would hurt.. But, I don't make these kinds of decisions.

katiemh · 03-20-06, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by cntryboy0531

True on that last part, and I do realize that. However, I would like to make them work for it if they're going to do it.

Y'all get take home cars right? You might want to park your car at someone else's house then.

**cntryboy0531** · 03-21-06, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by katiemh

Y'all get take home cars right? You might want to park your car at someone else's house then.

That's true.

**lcsodre108** · 03-21-06, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by cntryboy0531

I just got an E-mail from work reminding us about this. In Florida, miss-use of CJIS/NCIC/FCIC will get the agency's certification revoked, and criminal charges filed against the officer/deputy. So, that's why it's a big deal around here. I personally don't see what it would hurt.. But, I don't make these kinds of decisions.

Same in Arkansas, you can be charged with a felony for releasing that information, I guess because ours lists arrests, and conviction information. Every ACIC/NCIC printout must be shredded after it is used.