What is the best way to  to get information arrests, and other legal
public records on a guy that doesn't seem quite right?

I use http://www.theultimates.com/white/. This alows you to search for
anyone on most people search sites. Then intellus or uspeople search
will sell you the info for a price. I have been sucess full finding
people. But I always start with the Ultimate White Pages.

May the Lord laed you, and you always be wise enough to follow.

You may want to contact your local courts and ask them. As this is
public information you're seeking, you can give them a name and they
should be able to print you out a full report.

Good luck,

darrel-ga

Most counties in calif. will only give arrest records to you, if you
show up in person at the  clerks office and only for that county.

When in doubt you can always hire a private investigator to conduct a
background check.  Always make sure that the PI is licensed and bonded
by the state in which they work.  There are many directories that list
private investigators.  If you need assistance in Arizona you might
try www.PrivateEyeInvestigations.com

I  mentioned I am in Calif. Ariz dose not help. The two Dective
agencys I contacted In Butte county wanted several hundard dollars to
start.

I tried Intellis and also Web Detective to no avail.

Yes you can access any information about anybody here as low as 15$.
http://www.geocities.com/efvckfdp/check.html