Background Verification Simplified!
What Does an Online Background Check Consist Of?
In today's technologically advanced society, the Internet opens a wide array of opportunities for individuals to take advantage of. From doing basic things such as shopping online to more advanced instances of performing online research, the Internet offers us things which were never available in the past. One such thing which we can accomplish via the World Wide Web is to perform background checks on individuals. Some may wonder what these checks consist of, and the following will detail what a background check will accomplish.
What Is a Background Check?
In basic terms, a background check is finding a collection of information on a particular individual. This information is collected from publicly available information and is done within the constraint of the law. Background checks will uncover various facets of information on an individual such as their legal name, address, workplace and so much more. The depth of the background check will depend on the company that you use to perform such a check and the amount of information you want to gather on an individual.
In special circumstances, criminal records may be redacted from public viewing. For example, if a person committed a crime as a juvenile, it is likely that the local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor will clear his or her public record when they reach the age of 18. In other cases, a judge overseeing the proceedings may determine that the records pertaining to the criminal activity are especially sensitive and should also be protected from public viewing.
Using Information You Discover in Criminal Records
Even if a new boyfriend or girlfriend, potential date, neighbor or babysitter seems like a great choice and safe for you to let into your life, your safety and that of your family is the most important thing. Ensure you’re well informed and nothing is being hidden from you by searching for criminal records in their name. This can help you determine if there are any criminal records in someone’s past that indicate sex offenses, drunk driving, assault, fraud and theft, and allow you to make an informed decision about whether to further investigate their background or determine their fitness to be in your life.
Public Information in Criminal Records
Criminal records can include information regarding the arrest, court proceedings, sentencing and current disposition of the case. The most important piece of information in criminal records is perhaps the offense the person has been charged with. You may find drunk driving charges, sex offenses, theft, fraud, assault or even murder charges that would be valuable in your assessment of that person. More importantly, you can determine if they were convicted of the criminal charges or acquitted.
Dates of arrest and court dates, pleas entered into court, and incarceration details are all available in criminal records for public viewing. You will be able to determine by reviewing criminal court records whether the person pleaded ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ to the charges he was facing. You’ll also find information regarding whether the judge or jury convicted him of the crimes, and whether any jail time was served or probation was ordered.