Obtaining Criminal Records

Today more than ever, criminal records are being utilized by everyday people to investigate the potential dangers of people we may encounter on a daily basis in our personal and professional lives. Ideally, any criminal activity in the past of people we encounter would be fully disclosed up front. However, this ideal world is not handed to us on a silver-platter. Instead, we must investigate for ourselves the criminal past of people that may otherwise neglect to inform us of past criminal activity.

Who should be investigated? Many people are surprised at who can actually have a criminal background. Anyone you encounter has the possibility of having past criminal activity, and you have not only a right but a need to know this vital information. Do you live next door to a sexual predator? Who is actually babysitting your children, or teaching them at school? People with criminal backgrounds are not necessarily going to be forthcoming with their criminal past. Instead, it is your responsibility to keep you and your loved ones safe.  

Obtaining criminal records is the number one method for investigating the criminal background of any person you may encounter. While this may sound a daunting task for anyone, people are usually surprised at how easy these criminal records are to obtain with the right knowledge, and remember, knowledge is power.

There are three basic methods for obtaining the criminal records of any individual – a nationwide investigation, a state investigation, and finally a county investigation. Deciding on which method is right for you will depend largely on your situation and needs. All methods are beneficial in the long run, but obviously, each method will tell different degrees of information.

1. Searching for nationwide records will usually include a Federal database of people that have committed and been convicted of Federal crimes. There are Federal databases that can be searched for criminal activity from 1982 to the present. Individuals that are on probation or parole will also be included in the database along with when the individual was incarcerated, what the person was convicted or accused of committing, and other pertinent information.
   
   
2. Searching for statewide records will reveal criminal activity for specific states.  Each of the states will have their own database of criminal activity by an individual for that specific state. The year each database was started will vary from state to state. The information available will include the criminal activity of individuals that resulted in arrest and incarceration. Usually, the information will include probation or parole information as well as the terms of that probation or parole.
   
   
3. Finally, county records will include the criminal activity information for individuals that resulted in arrest and jail time but not usually prison time. The information revealed will generally depend on the county of arrest and the offense committed as well as the sentence.

Obtaining the actual criminal records of an individual will depend a great deal on the jurisdiction under which you are attempting to get the criminal records. Each jurisdiction will have specific laws with which they must comply. In addition, certain records are only findable by searching certain databases.

For instance, searching statewide records will not usually include county or Federal criminal records. On that same note, if you are searching Federal records, you will not be privy to state or county criminal records. In addition, you will usually need to investigate all of the jurisdictions separately.

Each state, each county, and the Federal government each have separate databases containing criminal activity.

One method of obtaining these records is to contact each agency involved separately and file a petition to get the records released to you personally. Another popular method is to utilize the internet for the criminal search.

One search that remains popular today is the sex registry database. This is a nationwide database of sex offenders available freely with the creation of Megan’s Law by simply doing a search via the internet. This important registry includes all persons required to register as a sex offender due to inappropriate sexual activity towards another person.

Many people are electing to utilize a number of popular web sites available online that offer the service of providing criminal records easily by combining all the relevant information needed to get the records with ease. Since obtaining these records can be time consuming, confusing, and often inaccurate, finding the right method for you is important.

Each of the databases – the Federal, the state, and the county – has their benefits. Which is best? The answer will depend greatly on your specific needs. However, using a first-class criminal background querying web site will allow you to get all of the information you need to make the right choice in exploring the criminal background of the people closest to you and your loved ones. After all, aren’t those you love worth the information you will obtain at any cost?