How to run a background check on someone?

[sikeston34m]

I know there are online databases to search for sex offenders.

What I need to know is:

How do I run a background check to view criminal history?

I'm sure employers do this on a regular basis, but each online place I've visited are all pay sites with no promises of resuilts.

Is there anywhere to get this type of information for free?

[nativepaul]

Don't know about where you live but over here that would be illegal without express written consent of the party concerned and good reason, my employers for example probably wouldn't get my records even if gave them permission because we are not doing anything that is a public security risk, if however i wanted to be a teacher or work at the airport I would have to consent to a check on my aplication and they would run the check if I seemed like a good candidate at interview and would have the results before deciding whether or not to offer me a job.

If a private individual wanted to run a background check on me there would be 5 ways of going about it:-
1. Gain high ranking employment in a high security job then offer me a job at so much pay I would quit my job and submit to a check for him.
2. Become a Policeman.
3. Bribe a policeman.
4. Become a judge then stitch me up for a crime, any previous convictions I have will be released in court to help with sentencing. (NB add another option if you think judges aren't above bribes)
5. Start pulling my toenails out one by one with a pair of pliers, I'll answer any questions you have pretty darned sharply.

[simplechamp]

You may want to start by going to your local chamber of commerce or governmental offices. Check for the persons name in public records, you might be surprised about how much information is available in public records. Most people just don't think or realize that it's there to access. Of course if the person is new to the area it might not be much use, but you could find out their previous area and contact that public records and have them send/fax you any info they have.

Criminal records are not confidential like medical records despite what many people think, newspapers print notices of charges and convictions all the time. You could always go to your local police station and ask them what is the best way to go about a background check.

[JAILBIRD]

In WI there is a circut court website that has access to criminal history for free.

I know of a couple of options and they apply at least here in Virginia. Any member of the court is tied in to the data base, which is better than shifting through court records. So if you have a friend that is an attorney you could get them to look legally. Plus any conviction someone has is a matter of public record unless they were a juvenile, so you have the right to go look in the court records, most are now online. Beyond that you are looking for other things, I only know of private services that do charge quite a bit. My wife works with a charity dealing with kids and they pay a reduced rate of $5,000 per person, so I can only imagine what a private citizen would have too. Since you are needing to do this I can imagine that you have serious concern and wish you the best.

[JERRY2KONE]

It is not as easy as some may think. I am a background investigator working for the US Department of State (Diplomatic Security Service). Sure most criminal records are open for public viewing, but unless you know exactly what you are looking for you can spend hundreds of hours searching through hundreds of thousands of files trying to get what you are looking for and never find it. Besides that you can only gain access to local County or State records in your area, and not federal records without a security clearance of some kind and also a need to know access basis. The only way to thoroughly search for these kinds of activities is to hire a professional who not only knows how to get the information, but also has the required access for the information. There is no FREE way to do this.

Even though I am a federal agent with a top secret clearance, and carry credentials for doing this kind of work I cannot just open up files and review anyones records without specific authority from someone who is appointed to give that authorization. Your best bet if this is something of real ergencywould be to look up a credentialed private investigator and ask him how much you can find out through his services, or contact a lawyer who is involved in crimnal case work. Unless of course you know someone who is employed by the federal Gov in the right position, and would be willing to check this out for you. You can only gain access to so much from a civilian perspective. Trust me there is no easy way.