Q Why conduct a criminal records check?
A This is a question that many prospective employers,
landlords or business people ask when first considering an individual for
employment, property rental or as a business associate. People often put too
much faith in a resume, a simple background check or contacting referees. In
today’s society, it is necessary to follow through with a criminal records
check to be absolutely certain that the person under consideration is as
trustworthy as they may appear to be from an initial interview or check of
their paperwork.
Q What information does a criminal records check
provide?
Subject’s name
Aliases used
Subject’s gender and race
Date of Birth
Offenses and dates
Dispositions or convictions and dates
Q What sources are used in your criminal records
search
A
Criminal records information is obtained from sources that include state
criminal court records, federal fugitive files, state Department of Corrections
(DOC) files, prison parole records and sex offender databases. Each level of
search provides important information.
Q What if the state I'm interested in does not
provide State-wide Criminal Courts Searches.
A
You will need to run a County Criminal Search, available as part of the
Expert Assisted Criminal
Records Check Package.
Q Which identifying information is needed for a
complete criminal records search?
A
Criminal records are indexed by defendant’s name and date of birth. Therefore,
having the CORRECT SPELLING of the FULL NAME and being POSITIVE that the date of
birth is correct are critical to obtaining accurate results. If the person has
used other names, those names should be checked. If you are not sure, to run a database name
search and address history BEFORE attempting criminal history records searches.
Q What is the Department of Corrections (DOC)?
A The DOC search yields information about current and
past incarceration. This is an instant database search of 47 states’ DOC, which
are tied to the National Department of Corrections database.
Q What does NO RECORD FOUND mean?
A
Some commercial public records providers, who claim to provide statewide
criminal records, actually provide statewide inmate searches, and call them
criminal searches. If the subject has been placed on probation, released from
prison, or is sentenced to the county jail rather than state prison, the search
will likely yield a “no record.” It is important to ask, “Which jurisdictions
are included within the state I am searching?”
“No Record” – Some states have procedures to judicially "erase" a criminal
offense. In California, for example, if the matter was a misdemeanor and a
person received a certificate of rehabilitation under Penal Code 1203.4 from the
court, then that old conviction is not reportable.
Q How Accurate are criminal records?
A Not all statewide records
depositories are accurate. Some statewide systems are only clearing houses for
those counties that choose to deposit records. There are no guarantees that all
counties are up to date or are even participating. Once again, it is important
to cross check with the concerned county.
Q Does this search include "Federal Records?"
A No. That is a separate search.
United States District Courts – The federal court system is entirely separate
from the state court systems. Federal crime can be offenses such as large-scale
drug cases, bank and financial fraud, or other violations of federal laws.
Depending upon what county and state records searches uncover, it may be
important to check into federal records to gain a full and accurate picture of a
subject’s criminal activity.
Q What are National Wants and Warrants?
A The Nationwide Active
Warrants search is conducted through the FBI’s NCIC database. One may search for
individuals who have outstanding and extraditable Federal and State warrants in
the United States, which are usually issued for more serious felony offenses
such as bank robbery, violent crimes, sex offenses, military desertions, and
terrorist activities.
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National Criminal Sample Report