My Child Welfare Records from 30 years ago Q: I was a resident of California when I became a reluctant but active participant in child welfare. I was placed in a foster home where I was abused, in a multitude of ways. I am writing my autobiography and have a story to tell, but I can’t get anyone there to help me procure those records. I want access to the records between 1975-1978, or there
Police Background Investigation Q: I was told I failed a background investigation for a volunteer job at my local police department. Later I was given inside information that, only days before, the PD had decided they didn’t want people with disabilities volunteering, because they felt it would involve too much liability. I believe I “failed the background investigation” because it was easier than telling me that they didn’t want disabled people. They will not give
City deleting unread e-mails Q: I sent two emails to the Mayor of my city concerning official business and the mayor deleted them without reading them. Then, an email I sent to the City Manager about 30 days ago, more or less, was deleted unread, as the city’s office email program deletes emails after 30 days. Is it proper or legal for a city to delete emails without reading them? Seems to me it would
DNA records Q: I am the webmaster of a site tracking the case of a serial rapist/killer. I would like to gain access to the crime files of a local Sheriff’s department regarding the killer. The statute of limitations on the rapes committed by this person expired over a decade ago. There is DNA information in the crime files that has never been released to the public. I believe it could be used to identify
Juvenile mother competency hearing Q: In Juvenile Court, a competency hearing is being held for a young girl accused of abandoning her baby. The district attorney’s office has charged her with attempted murder and felony child abandonment. Under WIC 676, the public should be allowed into the criminal proceedings. However, the DA’s office said the criminal proceedings have been suspended during the competency hearing. The judge has barred all media from the hearing and imposed