Do the crime, do the time
December 11, 2009 2:22 PM Subscribe
How can I find out why a person went to jail? Looking for the specific crime that sent him there. It's from the 1930s; is there an online resource?
Trying to find out what crime this person committed. Thanks.
Trying to find out what crime this person committed. Thanks.
Where was the crime committed? What Country? Was it a federal or a state crime? Do you know what prison this person was incarcerated in?
posted by inturnaround at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by inturnaround at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2009
Federal prison should be something you can unearth with an FOIA request, maybe less. The Library of Congress may have the records if the BOP does not. State prison is going to be more variable. If you are just talking jail, local records are going to be a dice roll. Paper records are bulky, and fires, natural disasters, and even just a leaky pipe can do them in. You will need to be more specific and contact the closest agency you can find.
It is also possible to contact a local genealogy resource, as they probably have easy enough access to local newspaper archives.
posted by dhartung at 2:29 PM on December 11, 2009
It is also possible to contact a local genealogy resource, as they probably have easy enough access to local newspaper archives.
posted by dhartung at 2:29 PM on December 11, 2009
Here's the general layout: records of criminal matters, including records of conviction and sentencing, are usually kept in court files. Most courts keep their records, though many have moved older files to less accessible space saving formats. The ability to physically visit the court where the case was handled, plus good data on the name and date of birth of the person, would probably help a lot in finding the court file.
Newspaper archives are also a decent source though of course you are relying on the accuracy of the reporter (usually not a lawyer) who wrote the story.
posted by bearwife at 4:13 PM on December 11, 2009
Newspaper archives are also a decent source though of course you are relying on the accuracy of the reporter (usually not a lawyer) who wrote the story.
posted by bearwife at 4:13 PM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: Moundsville State Prison. Wondering if there was an online resource rather than FOIA request. It would make sense if there wasn't one. Thought I'd ask.
posted by bunny hugger at 5:18 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by bunny hugger at 5:18 PM on December 11, 2009
It might be a long shot, but you could contact the prison:
http://www.wvpentours.com/page/category.detail/nav/5440/Contact-Us.html
(it is now a tourist attraction) and see if any sort of historical records are available. Baring that you might check with the West Virginia Department of Corrections to see if they have any resources.
posted by mmascolino at 7:47 PM on December 11, 2009
http://www.wvpentours.com/page/category.detail/nav/5440/Contact-Us.html
(it is now a tourist attraction) and see if any sort of historical records are available. Baring that you might check with the West Virginia Department of Corrections to see if they have any resources.
posted by mmascolino at 7:47 PM on December 11, 2009
Do you know which city/county/other entity arrested and/or tried this person? You could ask at that police department or courthouse.
posted by tellumo at 1:14 AM on December 12, 2009
posted by tellumo at 1:14 AM on December 12, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Sys Rq at 2:24 PM on December 11, 2009