Okay, I’ve had it up to.. yeah, to here. Next time you agree to go out with some nutjob who hit on you at the Citgo (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), don’t come crying to me.
MOST COURT RECORDS ARE PUBLIC. You know what that means, doncha girls? That’s right. “I didn’t know!” won’t cut it anymore. Rules differ depending on jurisdiction so just Google your state and/or county and the word “courts” to find info. (If you can’t find them anywhere else, U.S. Superior Court records are available through PACER, which requires a subscription.)
Example: Washington State
Go to Washington Courts Online to search by name. This can be a little addictive. Family members, ex-whatevers, that weird chemistry teacher from 8th grade… go nuts. That means it can be difficult to tell which ones are serious offenses, so don’t assume the worst if his name pops up. Or do. Ya know, whatever humps your camel.
In Washington, most courthouses have public computers with access to court records from any county. Using the system (which allegedly predates the Taft administration) can be tricky so don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have a case number from the name search above, bring it in to find out the details. If it’s a common name you can compare date of birth, address, etc to see if the guy you’re into is child-molesting Brad Smith or expired-fishing license Brad Smith.
This post courtesy of the Consortium for Condescending Paternalism