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When you are evaluating a candidate for a job or you want to be sure that the new member of your family is a good person, you would like to get as much information about his past as possible. Now criminal background checks have become particularly common. They are used by most employers. Many private persons have begun to use them as well since they are easier and quicker to perform than ever before. The question is whether you will get the full information which you require.
The Search
The primary sources of information used for criminal background checks are the court records. If the search is thorough, it should cover any public records of law enforcement authorities as well. Many states have compiled specific databases consisting of criminal records. They can be accessed online and this is their major advantage. They are perfectly comprehensive and regularly updated as well.
It is essential for each and every check to cover all types of criminal offences. The list includes misdemeanors as well as felonies. It is best if cases of driving under influence are included as well. It is perfectly possible to see whether there are any judgements against the person as well. This is definitely recommended if the check is done on a person who has applied for a job which involves working with money and other financial instruments.
The Results
Ideally, the reports of criminal background checks should include the types of all offenses committed by the person, if any. Another detail which must be present is the date of each offense. It matters whether someone has committed a petty crime as a teenager or as an adult. In most cases, the name of the court which has dealt with the case is also present in the report. These are standard details which would normally not be omitted.
If the report of a criminal check is really thorough it would also include the number which the case has been given. While this additional detail may not be of great help, the charges and their outcome certainly present valuable information. Some records can provide extra details which will find their way into the report.
Overall, all the factors which are necessary for the performance of thorough criminal background checks are present. The publically available records contain a lot of information and most are easily accessible directly over the internet. For best results, the search should cover the maximum possible number of sources. The information in the reports should be as detailed as possible.