Let me take a shot at this.
Databases are databases. That is to say, you can only get out what is put in and you can only put in what the system will allow.
CJIS (Criminal Justive Information Service),
CLETS (CA Law Enforcement Telecomunication System) (which is part of NLETS, National Law Enforcement Information System and accesses
NCIC, National Crime Information Center) and most of the other systems we currently use are very outdated and antiquated. They were an attempt at merging multiple databases across multiple jurisdictions, with the primary goal being the sharing of information for Law Enforcement purposes. Sometimes this is done successfully and other times, it seems wholly inadequate, considering the job we are expected to do with it. There are steps being taken to revamp the system, as was done with NCIC 2000, between 1998 and 2002.
That said, there are multiple LOCAL databases shared by agencies regionally, by county, by OES district and within each city. In some cases, several cities may merge their local databases to share information on citations, field interviews, police reports as well as person and location information (hazards, prior contacts, associates, etc..)
So, to answer the original question; most states have reciprocal agreements with other states regarding DMV records. This is to say, some states share ticket and traffic court convictions, some do not. I could not tell you which states have reciprocal agreements with CA. If someone can find that, please feel free to post a link in this thread.
If there is a reciprocal agreement, it is possible but unlikely, that a CA cop would actually see the information during a routine stop. That is not to say that if they KNEW the information was out there that it could not be located or confirmed somehow. It is just to say, it is highly unlikely that they would see it during a routine traffic stop.. that is, even assuming they ran out your driving record at all during the course of a traffic stop.
Now, if you had a warrant or your license was suspended, that would be another story all together.
As for the second poster's question; some systems are designed to pull up all possible information when a plate, name, ID# or address are run. I mean, they run everything.. past contacts with any associated parties (past drivers and passengers, assuming that was documented), the criminal history of all associated parties, you name it. This means, on a stop it would run the registered owner, all drivers, owners and passengers previously associated with that vehicle within the system and the addresses of those people and all people associated with those addresses, all of their vehicles and all people associated with those vehicles and their addresses and their associates! It could go on and on, depending upon how many levels deep the administrator has chosen to go back. The usual depth is 3. Any more than that and it becomes a joke for a routine traffic stop. All of these queeries and returns take up bandwith and slow down the system for everyone.
Many local systems have access to notes, but keep in mind, under the freedom of information act, those notes are public record. As a result, if someone has AIDS or HIV, we are prevented from noting this in our contact notes, because it is a violation of medical privacy. I personally feel their privacy ends when all first responders are placed at risk.. hell, medical info. could be redacted, if necessary. But, the courts have held that we cannot track confidential medical information in a record that is open to public inspection.
Records go back a looooong way. Automated records usually go back to around 1990 (maybe earlier in some jurisdictions, later in others). Prior to automated records, there are "manual records." When you see, or are advised by dispatch that there is a "manual rap on file," this is an indicator that there is previous criminal history on file. Most major criminal stuff has been entered (at least the type of crime and maybe the disposition) so you have a clue as to whether you need to have the manual record pulled. We routinely pull all manual records/rap sheets for anyone we arrest and all (sex, drug and arson) registrants in our jurisdiction. Traffic records are purged 3 to 10 years after the conviction date, unless there was jail time served.. in which case, the incarceration would show longer, likely forever.
Lastly, all records can only be accessed in the course of an authorized police investigation. Doing so for personal reasons or as a favor for a freind, family member or for unauthorized purposes is a crime. I know of former officers that have been fired and criminally charged for CLETS violations over the past 6 years. Before laws pertaining to this were enacted, it was something that was done commonly and openly. Since the 1990's there have been policies and severe laws that have really cracked down on this stuff.
In case there is any confusion; running out DMV, criminal, probation/parole/registrant, wants/warrants and any local contact records for a driver, passengers and the registered owner, in the course of an infraction traffic stop (or better) is considered to be an authorized police investigation.
