[AnotherUnixGeek]

The record inquiry was made for a non-law enforcement purpose, which is a violation of both department policy and state policy governing the use of the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) database, according to the news release.

So does Joe The Plumber have some sort of record to warrant inclusion in such a database, or is this database some sort of Big Brother-ish collection of information about ordinary, law-abiding citizens? And what are the odds that this is the first time an inquiry has been made for a non-law enforcement purpose?

As long as authorities are allowed to compile and store detailed information about ordinary law-abiding citizens, such abuses and violations of privacy are guaranteed.

[Repub4bush]

So is this another person too?

so who is this Kelly woman?

[Enterprise]

"Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) database"

This a fancy name for records stored in a computer. Since Joe probably has a drivers license, his drivers license information and address would be stored in a computer accessible state wide by law enforcement. If you have a license, your information is also stored in a computer and it is accessible by all law enforcement personnel in your state.

Where the clerk got into trouble here is that the information she accessed was not requested by law enforcement personnel acting within the scope of their duties. She really really should have known better, because once she accessed it, it was immediately known to someone at the State level. Normally, the act of searching a record by law enforcement personnel would not raise suspicions, but the circumstances surrounding the search raised a red flag in the opinion of someone at the State level. The clerk is toast.