I could use some guidance from the PPOT braintrust
 

How would a private citizen go about getting court records on a homicide that occurred in Palmdale, Ca. back in 1995 ?

Likely you will need to hire a private detective or an attorney with a legal assistant in Palmdale and have them go to the courthouse.

He might have passed on...was good though.:D

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/Iw...d450/t_500x300

If it was anything federal, you can do a Freedom of Information Act search. First two hours (I believe) are at no cost.

I tried this for a federal case back in the 1920's. It was worthless, FYI. My personal research was more productive in less time.

On this subject. I have seen a newspaper account of a federal conviction and appeal. Nothing about the status of the appeal case or if any time was served. I would very much like to know the answer. Anybody have a tip?

You should be able to get copies from the court's clerk's office. Find out as much as you can on the court's website, like the case number, as the people working the clerks office are usually about at friendly as Seinfeld's soup nazi.
Not an attorney, but helped a friend dig up some old court records a while back.

https://oag.ca.gov/contact/publicrecords_form

https://www.nfoic.org/california-sample-foia-request/

Freedom Of Information Act, request public records.

In NJ it's called OPRA request for state/local records. I'm guessing CA has an equivilent.

Most states have an offender or inmate search. If you know the defendant's name you can find out if they are incarcerated. Oregon has one:

https://docpub.state.or.us/OOS/intro.jsf

My person was in Washington in the 1920's...

Didn't have a lot of computers back then.

Define "court records". If you mean the docket-just line entries about who was charged and what the rulings were, it s almost certainly online. If you mean text of motions etc or transcripts of testimony, then you need to contact the atty's involved and pay for it.

I know the assailant was arrested and stood trial. I know the witness to the shooting testified in court. What I'd like to find out is a few more details as to the how and why the shooting took place and if the shooter was sentenced to any time in jail. I spoke to the witness shortly after the shooting took place but got a very scattered and confusing explanation as to what happened.