TexasCHLforum.com

what is the best site to use to find a persons conviction and or arrest record in TX ??

If you know enough info about the person to get started:

TDCJ Offender Database

Those are Public Documents.

There are fee based search engines that can access that information.

Texas DPS has one.

Personally, I think that they're kinda/sorta good/bad in that they do not, at first blush, discriminate 'tween 'arrest' and 'conviction'. One just ain't the same as the other, but both carry the same weight to a potential employer or bonding/insurance/mortgage agent.

If you've ever had to file a law suit to receive Worker's Compensation, it'll be there...and will, most likely, give a potential employer cause to pass over your application.

A gent with same last name and similar first name skipped out on a bail bond, my home has had a lein placed on by a Bonding Company. Its in 'my' name and 'my' property though, not his.

There are remedies to situtations like that, but they are time consuming and you may need a bit of legal advice. But first, you need to be aware that that that data exists, where it came from, and why.

Its kinda like keeping up with your credit reports. The information is out there..others have access to it..it's in your best interest to know about it also.

Computerized access to public records cuts both ways. Then there's the GIGO factor. Like the newspapers, you might not want to beleive everything you read in the public archives.

That's more than you asked, and I'll get off my soapbox now, but it does give you pause.

has anyone here ever used a site called publicdata.com and if so what did you think of it?

barres wrote:If you know enough info about the person to get started:

TDCJ Offender Database

that site is just for people currently in prison,thats not what i mean at all.

I have a publicdata account. Send me a name and dob if you want and I will pull their results for you and you can decide if you want to get an account. it is good for running the plates of the car sitting in front of your house and whatnot.

stormbringerr wrote:has anyone here ever used a site called publicdata.com and if so what did you think of it?

Yes...again what was mentioned above is that you can use the Texas DPS website to research previous arrest AND conviction records for residents, offenders and crimes taking place in Texas. If your search is oriented outside of the state, then you may want to check official state avenues first before pouring money into a "wannabe PI site". Arrest records are public record unless they have been sealed by a judge which is rare but it does happen. The Texas DPS site is fairly reasonable and you buy into it with credits and use a credit everytime you serach an individual. The problem I have with other database sites is their lack of specifics in that you might get the phonebook when looking for one person.

stormbringerr wrote:has anyone here ever used a site called publicdata.com and if so what did you think of it?

I use publicdata.com. Mainly, when someone in a CHL class says "I was arrested 20 or so years ago, but I don't remenber what agency handled it, so how do I get my records?" If you are looking for something that is fairly recent, it is not real helpful. But, for past arrests and convictions (over a year or so ago), it is very helpful.

thanks everybody, i used the TX. dps and the publicdata sites they both told me the same thing and both worked well for me.you can do a little more with publicdata in info gathering.

I use publicdata...with 3 daughters, makes it nice to check out my daughter's latest boyfriends...and find the lien holder on their vehicles.

kingalls wrote:I use publicdata...with 3 daughters, makes it nice to check out my daughter's latest boyfriends...and find the lien holder on their vehicles.

Yeah... my youngest daughter refuses to tell me her boyfriend's last name. I wonder why?

llwatson wrote:

kingalls wrote:I use publicdata...with 3 daughters, makes it nice to check out my daughter's latest boyfriends...and find the lien holder on their vehicles.

Yeah... my youngest daughter refuses to tell me her boyfriend's last name. I wonder why?

You'd be surprised how many teens have "best friends for life!", about whose last name they have no clue.

That is where the lic. plate comes in handy...after you get the registration, you got the last name..or the parent's name...then you can check out the parents too...you might be surprised.

kingalls wrote:That is where the lic. plate comes in handy...after you get the registration, you got the last name..or the parent's name...then you can check out the parents too...you might be surprised.

Like father like son?

llwatson wrote:

kingalls wrote:I use publicdata...with 3 daughters, makes it nice to check out my daughter's latest boyfriends...and find the lien holder on their vehicles.

Yeah... my youngest daughter refuses to tell me her boyfriend's last name. I wonder why?

Mama's got guns, and knows how to use them???

Kind of a role reversal here...Its usually the Dad thats cleaning shotguns when the boys come calling...

"Soooooo, yer taking out my daughter...Can you pass me those High Explosive rounds over there son?"

Thanks...