When someone is convicted of a crime in a courtroom, that information becomes public. There are many reasons why you might feel the need to run a criminal background check on somebody and double-check whether or not they have a criminal record and if so, what exactly it is for. Perhaps you’re hiring somebody as an employee and want to make sure that they are being truthful about their past before you put them on your payroll, or maybe you are starting a new relationship with somebody you’ve met on an online dating site, and want to make sure that they are who they say they are before you take things to the next level. Either way, the information that you need is right at your fingertips. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when looking up criminal records online.
Use a Reputable Tool:
One of the most important factors to consider when running a background check on somebody is that the information you receive is accurate. Inaccurate information about somebody’s criminal past could cause issues for both you and them, depending on the situation. For example, if you’re hiring an employee who doesn’t have a criminal record but you’re given information on somebody with the same name as them who does, they could end up missing out on a job and you on a good member of staff. So, always use a trusted, reputable tool. Nuwber provides accurate information on any background check searches you conduct.
Use As Much Information As You Can:
When searching for a criminal record, bear in mind that the more information you have on a person, the better. This might be trickier to obtain if you are conducting a background check for personal reasons, but if you are checking for a criminal record on somebody that you plan to hire, you can ask them to provide all the information that you need and inform them of your plans to conduct a background check. This will also give them the chance to disclose any necessary information to you that you can then check against the information you find. Typically, you will need their full name, address, and date of birth. Other details like their place of birth and any previous names they have been known by can help.
Avoiding Mismatches:
Until recently, the only way that you could find out if somebody had a criminal record would be to visit your local clerks’ office in every county in your state or even in the country, if you wanted to be exceptionally thorough. Only government personnel and some employers were given access to criminal record information. However, this has all changed with private background check companies that use the internet to gather conviction notices and make them available online. However, since most of these companies do not post defendants’ dates of birth or Social Security numbers in order to avoid identity theft, there’s a higher risk of mismatches to bear in mind.
Exceptions:
Sealed records are the exception to the rule and will not be publically available. This is where a judge has sealed or expunged a conviction and is usually only an option for minor misdemeanors where it is the defendant’s first-time offense. Records are usually sealed in these cases when the defendant has served the required sentence and did not re-offend within a given time.
If you’re looking for a criminal record online, be sure to keep these tips in mind.