Official Records & Admissible Evidence
Courts don't care what you know. They care what you can prove—with official documentation that's properly authenticated and entered into the record. This guide shows you exactly how to get every record you're entitled to and how to make it count in court.
For fathers especially: In custody battles, the parent with the most documented evidence wins. Not the one who's right—the one who can prove it. Every interaction, every incident, every record matters.
Sections
Police & Law Enforcement Records
Every police interaction generates records. Every single one. If police came to your house, responded to a call, or were involved in any incident, there are records you can and should obtain. These are often the most powerful evidence in court because they come from an official, third-party source.
Incident / Police Reports
The officer's written account of what happened—who was involved, what was said, what they observed, who they identified as the aggressor (if applicable), and their disposition (how they resolved it).
Go to the police department that responded (city PD, county sheriff, or state police). Request the report by date, address, or case number. Most departments have a records request form. You can usually do this in person, by mail, or online.
- •Request by date AND address—sometimes reports are filed under different case numbers than you expect
- •If you were the subject or a party, you almost always have the right to a copy
- •If they say "no report was filed," request the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) log instead—there's ALWAYS a record of the call
- •Ask specifically if supplemental reports exist—officers sometimes file follow-up reports separately
- •In domestic situations, ask for all reports at your address for the past 1-3 years
Body Camera Footage
Video and audio recorded by the officer's body-worn camera during the encounter. This captures what actually happened—not just what was written in the report.
Submit a written request to the department's records division. Reference the specific date, time, and officers involved. Some departments have online portals. You may need to cite your state's public records law.
- •REQUEST IMMEDIATELY—many departments auto-delete after 60-90 days if not flagged
- •If denied, file a formal public records request citing your state's open records law
- •Request footage from ALL officers on scene, not just the primary officer
- •Ask for dash cam footage too—it often captures things body cam misses
- •If the department says the camera "malfunctioned" or "wasn't activated," document that claim in writing—it can be powerful in court
- •Save the footage in multiple locations once received
Dash Camera Footage
Video from the patrol car's dashboard camera. Captures the approach, the scene, and often audio from the officer's wireless mic.
Same process as body cam. Request specifically—departments won't volunteer it.
- •Dash cam often starts recording automatically when lights/sirens are activated
- •Captures a wider view than body cam—useful for showing the full scene
- •Some departments use in-car camera systems that record the back seat too (relevant for arrests)
911 Call Recordings
The actual audio of the 911 call. Shows exactly what was reported, by whom, what tone was used, and what information the caller provided.
Request from the 911 dispatch center (may be city, county, or regional). Reference the date, time, and address. Some jurisdictions require a court order; most provide them through public records requests.
- •The 911 call often tells a different story than the police report
- •Shows who actually called—important in domestic situations where the other party claims they called
- •Tone and demeanor on the call can be powerful evidence
- •If the caller made false statements to 911, this is documented proof
CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) Records
The dispatcher's log of the call—timestamps, unit assignments, officer notes entered from the field, call type codes, disposition codes. This is the raw data of the police response.
Request from the dispatch center or police records division. Ask specifically for 'CAD records' or 'dispatch logs.'
- •CAD records exist even when no formal report was filed
- •They contain timestamps for when the call came in, when officers were dispatched, when they arrived, and when they cleared—useful for proving response times or time at scene
- •Officer notes in CAD are sometimes different from the formal report
- •Request all CAD entries for your address over the relevant time period
Arrest Records / Booking Records
Documentation of any arrest—charges, booking photos, property inventory, fingerprints, statements made.
Request from the arresting agency or county jail/sheriff's office.
- •Arrest records show what charges were actually filed vs what was alleged at the scene
- •Property inventory can prove what you had (or didn't have) on you
- •If charges were dropped or reduced, get documentation of that too
Got Your Records? Upload Them.
Once you've gathered your police reports, CPS findings, school records, and bank statements — upload them to CourtDocs. We'll organize everything, build timelines, detect patterns, and help you turn raw records into court-ready evidence.