Criminal records are a big part of background checks when it comes to hiring employees, renting apartments, lending money, or even finding a new partner. They serve as a way to get a clear picture of an individual's past criminal history. The information provided on criminal records enables the appropriate authorities to make sound decisions relating to their lives and how they are likely to behave in the future. But what criminal records are typically included in a criminal background check?

Criminal records refer to an individual's history of arrest, conviction, and sentence issued by a court to an offender for a particular criminal act. The records may be sealed or expunged depending on the laws and regulations of a particular jurisdiction. For that reason, these records are maintained by various local, state, or federal agencies, including the court, police department, FBI, and other law enforcement or governmental organizations.

When performing a criminal background check, different types of criminal records are searched to give a comprehensive look at an individual's criminal history. Below are some of the criminal records that are typically included in a criminal background check:

Arrest Records

An arrest is when an individual is taken into custody by the police for an alleged criminal act. Arrest records refer to information related to the person arrested, including the date and time of arrest, charges, and where the arrest occurred. Not all arrests result in a criminal conviction, and it is for this reason that arrest records may be included in a background check.

Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records are documents obtained from court proceedings of a criminal trial or hearing. These records will show an individual's criminal conviction and sentencing. Criminal court records contain information on an individual's charges, trial dates, sentencing date, and current sentence. These records are important pieces of information that give an overview of someone's criminal history.

Sex Offender Registry Records

The sex offender registry is a database that lists individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime in the United States. The list contains the names, photographs, and addresses of registered sex offenders. The registry enables people to be aware of offenders living in their area or if an individual who is applying for a job or participating in an activity is a registered offender.

Warrant Records

A warrant is a document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing the police to make an arrest or search a property. Warrants may be issued when an individual has failed to appear in court, violated probation, or committed a crime. Warrant records provide information on the name of the person being sought, the charges, and the court that issued the warrant.

Driving Records

A driving record is the history of an individual's driving violations, accidents, and license suspensions. These records are important to employers who are hiring drivers or insurance companies that wish to determine how much risk is involved in insuring a particular driver.

Juvenile Records

Juvenile records are records of someone's criminal history as a minor. These records are typically confidential and are not included in a criminal background check unless the individual is applying for a job related to working with children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, criminal records are important documents that serve as a way to understand an individual's criminal history. It is recommended that employers, landlords, and other interested parties perform a criminal background check to get a clear picture of candidates before making critical decisions. Historically, these checks have been conducted manually, but with recent advancements in background check software, the process has been simplified, resulting in quick and accurate background checks. Understanding what is included in a criminal background check can prepare one for what to expect and also help them know which parts of their criminal history are likely to be revealed. It is important to note that some criminal records may not necessarily disqualify an individual from a job or a rental property, but an employer or landlord may require a criminal history evaluation to determine if they are fit for the position.