What is a Criminal History Check?

What is a Criminal History Check?

A criminal history check obtains information on a person arrested and charged with a criminal offense. There are several types of criminal history checks, including a background check and a criminal record check.

Background check vs. criminal record check

Whether you are looking to hire a new employee or are investigating the qualifications of a candidate, a background check is a great way to assess an applicant’s background. But first, it is essential to understand the difference between a background check and a criminal history check before making a decision. A criminal history check is a specific background check focusing on criminal convictions. These convictions may include arrests, pending criminal charges, and other information about criminal charges. A criminal history check usually only provides information about misdemeanors and felony convictions. Misdemeanors are less severe than felonies and are often prosecuted in county courthouses. They are typically punishable by county jail incarceration or fines. Felonies, on the other hand, are punishable by imprisonment in state or federal prisons. The best way to conduct a background check is to find a service that has reliable databases. A reputable background check service will provide a comprehensive report specific to your needs.

Pending cases can be included in a criminal history check

Using a criminal background check to learn about your applicant’s history can be a great way to gain insight into whether they are a good fit for your company. However, not all states allow employers to perform a criminal background check on their employees. There are also many laws regarding pending charges, so employers should make sure they know the rules of the land. One of the most important things about a criminal background check is how the information is obtained. Depending on your state, there are different methods of searching for criminal records. For example, some states require you to get a fingerprint from a potential employee. Others use clerk-assisted searches that can take a few days to a few weeks. Many public criminal records can be accessed online through state court websites. These include arrest records and mugshots. However, a criminal history search is only as good as the information gathered from the search. The sex offender database can also be searched, but it is cumbersome. Pending charges are typically entered into county courthouse records, and it is often the case that the state court’s criminal record report isn’t complete. As a result, an employer must run a combination of local and wide-ranging searches to get a comprehensive criminal history report.

False positives can occur in name-based checks

Unlike fingerprints, name-based criminal history checks are not a guaranteed hit. However, the best criminal background check will tell you all you need to know about a potential hire’s criminal past. The FBI has endorsed using fingerprints as a method of criminal identification, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to identify suspects and secure convictions. Compared to name-based checks, fingerprint-based checks are also easier to retrieve and can yield more accurate results. Although they may be harder to interpret, reputable companies will go to great lengths to ensure accurate results. While fingerprint-based and name-based criminal history checks are not the same, the latter is generally considered the sexiest and the most reliable method of checking up on a prospective employee. Name-based reviews do not only check criminal histories but also check on a person’s driving record. This can be an essential consideration for employers who work in regulated industries. In addition, a name-based background check can reveal an applicant’s professional certifications, education credentials, and past employment. While name-based criminal history checks are not for everyone, they can be a great way to weed out less-than-stellar applicants. With an employer-approved criminal history background check, you can rest assured that you are hiring the right person for the job.

Customization of a criminal history check

Obtaining a criminal history check is essential for many employers. It can help reduce the risk of on-the-job incidents and lawsuits and protect the organization’s assets. But a background check can also be a long process. As a result, some companies offer a service that allows you to customize a criminal history check to simplify the process. This search can check for past crimes, criminal convictions, and other criminal information. The information can be found in the county court system, police records, or the prosecutor’s office. These records can reveal a person’s history, including their date of birth, name, case number, and disposition. The information found may need to be completed, though, and may only be available for some court jurisdictions in some states. The results of a criminal history check can be very long, so some companies have someone scan the results to find the appropriate locations. A vendor may also include an address list in the results, which may help an employer see the proper place.