In due diligence research, a criminal records search is a typical component of the procedure. In this very digitized time, performing every kind of search ought to be a good deal easier now that we have the correct technology to do it. But, no matter how much information is stored in the Internet, not anything beats the manual practice of retrieving public records. Frequently, traditional "gum shoe" techniques are necessary and researchers discover that more frequently than not, they have to rely on less technical means to a do a criminal records search.
The Nationwide Criminal Records Search
Criminal records searches would be a good deal easier to complete if there was one sole database containing all public records from all state databases. But the dilemma is that there is none. No one sole, "nationwide" database of criminal records exists today. In actuality, the closest we can still find to a nationwide database is not even considered as "public." The FBI database, called the National Criminal Information Center or NCIC, include records that are classified or confidential and no one, except for those from the criminal justice agencies, can lawfully retrieve any of the records contained in the database.
The Alternative
Thus, the only other alternative that a public records research has is to target local databases. Many states maintain databases of criminal records search information. Out of 50 U.S. states, 29 have state central repositories of criminal records search data. State databases are useful places to begin a criminal records search but they shouldn't be the single resource you have. This is because state databases typically deal with criminal records search information about convictions. Lesser misdemeanors are not typically incorporated in central repositories as states do not call for their law enforcement agencies to generate fingerprint reports of such cases.
State central repositories only contain criminal records search information of crimes of a serious nature, such as felonies, class A misdemeanors, and even class B misdemeanors. In addition, most states do not allow public access to juvenile records therefore in your criminal records search, you may not be able to get any juvenile information about your subject.
County Level Criminal Records Search
Perhaps the top sources of criminal records search information are county databases. Counties typically keep indexes of nearly every relevant statistics concerning the public. As a result, you can discover anything from governor billets, ordinances, county court cases, court decisions, arrests, warrants issued, profiles of most wanted individuals, sex offenders, and more. You can even do a criminal records search using the directory of county inmates and look at pictures of criminals that have been released from prison or are currently serving sentence.
Court Records
The best way to validate if a criminal action has been initiated by somebody is to execute a criminal records search through court records. However, this type of criminal records search may cost some money. There are a number of district courts in every state and each of these has several branches. There are municipal courts which try misdemeanor cases while circuit courts try felony cases. Performing a criminal records search by this process means having to hunt throughout the proceedings of every court which you think may have information about your subject.
