DEAR SUN SPOTS: I do not live in Lewiston, but I certainly read the Sun Journal, mainly for your column or for Dr. Donohue’s.

I am interested in finding out if a certain person in the Portland area has a criminal record. If I go online and google Portland public records, I will get some place out in the Midwest that will list something like 60,000 criminal records, and they require a credit card. That is not what I want.

Is there some way I can find out if this certain person has a criminal record or has served jail time? Either through the Internet or by going in person to the courthouse or some place? — No Name, Portland

ANSWER: Sun Spots knows of no shortcuts for obtaining criminal records. It is a difficult process, which is why it’s so expensive.

If you know that this person was arrested in Portland, you can go to the courthouse and review the records. Charges and the resulting court proceedings are public records.

If you aren’t sure about the locale, it gets more complicated. You might have to search the courthouses of several towns and not get any results.

You can also try googling the person’s name. If his arrest was in the newspaper, and the newspaper is online, you could get lucky that way. Especially if he has an unusual name.

The other options cost money. You could pay an online service, or alternatively hire a reputable private investigator. A search that would be difficult for an amateur should be fairly simple for a trained professional, who already has a subscription to the required search services.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m trying to get information about a possible arrest that took place some time in April 2012. My son-in-law was supposed to have been arrested in April, but I can’t seem to find any record of it? Can you search your files and see if you can help me? I believe the charge was lewd conduct with a minor, but I’m not too sure.

I would really like to know if my grandchild is in the same house as a sexual predator. Thank you for your help in this matter. — Your Email Address: spacemtn2@comcast.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots found an arrest in Lewiston in May for a person by the name you gave Sun Spots who was arrested on a warrant for sexual abuse of a minor. You can go through official channels to obtain a copy of his arrest record(s).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We love your column and read it all the time. You have helped us in the past, so we hope you can help us again.

First, we are grandparents and have been told that there is a law the entitles grandparents to see their grandchildren. Is this true? To whom do we speak to about this law and for help?

We have a friend who met a person and they are soon to move in together. We heard that this person committed a crime about 10 years ago. How do we go about looking into this crime and information? A town hall, the library, police station? Please help. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: At Maine.gov it says that the grandparents law was originally passed in the Legislature in 1991. The current law provides a mechanism for grandparents to petition for visitations with their grandchildren, if certain criteria are met. This act is in Title 19-A, sections 1801-1805.

Pine Tree Legal has a very good explanation of the law and your rights and responsibilities that you can check out at http://tinyurl.com/cy5p2fy. It may not save you from needing to hire an attorney.

As for the second part of your question, see the answers to the previous letters.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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