Investigated but no charges

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I was wondering if a person is investigated for a possible crime but the DA/police decides there is not enough evidence, is there a police report/record created that that person was investigated but not charged? If so are these reports/records accessable by the general public or do you have to be a lawyer to get ahold of them? If they are accessable to the public what information does one need to locate this information and where would one go to get it? Thanks.

Name Withheld said:

I was wondering if a person is investigated for a possible crime but the DA/police decides there is not enough evidence, is there a police report/record created that that person was investigated but not charged?

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It depends on what the nature of the incident is/ If someone claimed your dog did not have a dog license, and they found he did - probably no report. if you were accused of breaking in to your neighbor's house and they had some good reason to believe you did, there probably WOULD be a report.

If so are these reports/records accessable by the general public or do you have to be a lawyer to get ahold of them?

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An agency may choose to release a closed file if they choose to. In general, agencies do not tend to release investigative reports and pursuant to the Government Code they do not always have to.

If they are accessable to the public what information does one need to locate this information and where would one go to get it? Thanks.

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You can call the police department holding the report and ask if they will release it to you.

- Carl

CdwJava said:

You can call the police department holding the report and ask if they will release it to you.

- Carl

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Do I have to know the exact police station or can I just go to Hill St also what information do I have to have to get access to the reports? I assume the name of the person being accused would be one thing is there any other information I need to have inorder to get the reports.

Name Withheld said:

Do I have to know the exact police station or can I just go to Hill St also what information do I have to have to get access to the reports? I assume the name of the person being accused would be one thing is there any other information I need to have inorder to get the reports.

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If this is a large agency with more than one precinct, then you should probably call and find out where you go to seek a copy of a report. They can probably search by suspect, victim, or even address as well as crime alleged. But, as I said, they are probably under no legal obligation to tell you anything ... it depends on the details of the matter.

My department would not release it at all. Yours might.

- Carl