Santiago Court Orders Police Record Erased After Couple's Acquittal

A court in Santiago has ordered authorities to erase the police record of a couple who were acquitted of charges, according to Diario Libre. The ruling reinforces a legal principle that residents and long-term visitors in the Dominican Republic should be aware of: once a person is cleared by the courts, their name should not continue to appear in police databases as if a case were still pending.

What the Ruling Means

The decision, issued in 2026, instructs that the couple's criminal record entry — known locally as a ficha policial — be removed following their acquittal. As reported by Diario Libre, the court framed the order as a matter of restoring the rights and reputation of individuals who were never convicted of any crime.

Why This Matters for Travelers and Expats

For foreign residents, retirees, and digital nomads building a life in the DR, police clearance certificates (certificados de no antecedentes penales) are routine paperwork. They are commonly requested for:

• Residency renewals and visa applications
• Employment contracts
• Adopting or marrying locally
• Background checks for international purposes

A lingering police entry — even after a court has dismissed or absolved a case — can complicate any of these processes. The Santiago ruling sets a useful reference point: individuals who have been acquitted can petition to have their record cleared rather than accept the entry as permanent.

Practical Tips

If you live in the DR and have ever been charged with an offense that was later dismissed or that ended in acquittal, it is worth checking what currently appears on your police record. A local attorney can file the appropriate request, and rulings like this one strengthen the legal grounds for doing so. Tourists on short visits are unlikely to be affected, but anyone planning longer-term residency should keep this option in mind.

For the full details of the Santiago case, see the original reporting by Diario Libre.