Tag: background check

How to Check County Court Records to Discover Surprising Information About Someone

How to Check County Court RecordsCounty court records can reveal surprising information about someone. Background check websites might check federal and state databases, but they may not check county records.

County courthouses contain plenty of background information. If you were arrested in that county, for example, then you might have a record in that county – even if your record in your home county seems clean.

County records can also contain marriage and divorce certificates, speeding tickets, parking tickets, dropped charges, and more.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about county courthouses, including how to request county court information, how much it costs, and what you’ll learn.

Some States Have State Databases, While Others Have County Databases

Why do you need to check county databases? Isn’t this information held in federal or state databases?

Some states collect all statewide information into one convenient database. You can request information at a state level about any individual within that state.

Other states, however, separate it by county. You must request individual records by county. You cannot perform a statewide search. You must search records county-by-county. Or, if you know the county where someone lived or was convicted, then you can narrow your search to that county.

County or state databases may include the following information:

  • Civil and family case information
  • Traffic case information
  • Criminal case information

Case Information May Not Be Available Online

You may think Google gives you all the information you need about someone, but that’s not the case. Instead, most states and counties do not openly publish case information online. You need to request information specific to each case or individual.

This information is stored in private databases. It’s available upon request, but it’s not openly available for anyone to access via the internet.

How to Request Information from County Courthouses

Each county courthouse has a specific information request process. This process varies between courthouses, although there are certain similarities at most major courthouses in the United States.

Things to know before requesting information from a county courthouse:

  • Some county courthouses publish certain information online for free. A county courthouse might not publish criminal convictions online, for example, but they might publish traffic and local ordinance cases or family case information online.
  • Many county courthouses require you to visit the courthouse in-person – or request information by mail.
  • You should be able to request to view information online (via a database portal or platform) or have it delivered via other means. Some courthouses still use CDs to share data, for example, while others print paper copies of information you request.
  • If requesting information about a specific case, you may need to provide the case number, case name, and the title of the documents requested.

How Much Does It Cost?

County courthouse pricing varies. Typically, you pay a nominal fee to access county records.

Fees vary depending on the medium you are requesting. You may need to pay $0.50 per page, for example, or $5 per CD.

Expect to pay a higher fee for each certified document. A certified document contains information verified by the courthouse. You may have to pay a $40 certification fee for a certified document, for example, plus $0.50 for each page within the document.

Most courthouses also charge for more detailed searches. If your search lasts longer than 10 minutes, for example, then you might have to pay a $15 fee.

How to Request State Court Information

County courthouses can reveal crucial information about someone. However, you may want to start your search at the state level before narrowing it by county.

State courthouses have different rules and requirements. Certain state court information is public record, while other information is private. Some information is openly available online, while other information is only available by request.

Typically, the opinions of the state’s Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal are public record, whether published or unpublished.

You may also be able to search case information via an online form.

The California state court system, for example, allows you to search case information online through courts.ca.gov. You can search the system for an opinion, for example, or other information in a specific case.

Use a Background Check Service to Simplify County Court Record Searches

County court record searches can be complicated. Rules and fees vary between courts.

Instead of individually requesting information from each state and county, consider investing in an online background check. A good online background check costs money – but it can reveal specific information about someone.

Just enter someone’s name into an online form, then let the site do the hard work for you. Instead of individually requesting info from each court – and paying each fee – you can pay one fee and let the professionals do the hard work.

Why You Should Run a Background Check on Your Contractor

Why You Should Run a Background Check on Your ContractorMillions of Americans hire contractors every year. You trust a contractor in your home – but do you really know everything you need to know about your contractor?

A growing number of Americans are running background checks on contractors. Whether it’s a small renovation or a large project, your home is safer when you know your contractor.

You’re trusting a contractor – and the contractor’s employees – with access to your home or business. In many cases, the contractor has unrestricted access to your home while you may or may not be present.

Most contractors are good, hardworking people. Every year, however, thousands of Americans are victimized by malicious contractors.

A background check can verify a contractor’s personal, professional, and criminal history. You might assume a contractor is the person they claim to be – but until you run a background check, your contractor could be anyone.

Today, we’re explaining some of the most important reasons to run a background check on your contractor.

Criminal Background Checks

A criminal background check tells you if a person has been convicted of any crimes. Arrest records, criminal convictions, and major crimes or felonies can all appear on a criminal background check.

Your contractor has intimate access to your home. A background check can alert you to any violent crimes, sex crimes, or break-ins. It can also alert you to fraud or embezzlement convictions.

Employment Background Checks

Employment background checks can verify an individual’s work history, education, credit score, driving record, criminal record, medical history, and drug usage. Increasingly, professional employment background check organizations now add social media checks as well.

An employment background check can verify your contractor is qualified to work on your property. A contractor might claim to have 20+ years of experience, for example, when they really only have 2-3 years of experience.

Professional License Checks

Education verification checks or professional license checks can verify an individual has a valid license for the work they’re applying for. Some industries require a professional license check before employing anyone.

A professional license check verifies the individual has the experience, knowledge, and credentials to perform their job. A professional license check helps you avoid hiring an unlicensed or unqualified contractor.

Professional license checks are particularly important for contractors: if your contractor is unlicensed, then you become the general contractor for the job. If a worker gets hurt or breaks a sewage line, then you are responsible. Plus, unlicensed contractors typically do not have insurance. All of these factors can significantly increase your liability.

Fingerprint Check

Fingerprint background checks are required in certain professions. Many people who work in schools, airports, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, or fire departments require a fingerprint check. Certain professionals – including realtors, financial professionals, pharmacists, and even casino dealers – may also require fingerprint checks prior to employment.

A fingerprint check works by running an individual’s fingerprints through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). Fingerprints are nearly impossible to fake, which means you get the most accurate image of a person’s criminal history.

Benefits of Running a Background Check on Your Contractor

Some people hire contractors for home renovation projects. Or, a business may hire a contractor for a short-term gig.

No matter why you’re hiring a contractor, you can enjoy certain benefits, including:

Ensure the Job Gets Done Right

A low-quality contractor can ruin your home. One mistake – like a broken sewer pipe – can cause enormous damages throughout your home. You might save a few hundred dollars by hiring a cheaper contractor – only to cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home.

Avoid Insurance Fraud

Some malicious contractors will approach vulnerable homeowners and take advantage of their home insurance policy. A contractor may approach a home after a hurricane, for example, and offer to manage the entire claim from beginning to end. The contractor performs a low-quality job on the property, then sends a costly bill to your insurer. This is insurance fraud, and it could cause your entire claim to be denied.

Maintain a Safe Work Environment

If someone is injured in your home, then you may be liable – especially if the contractor you hired was unlicensed and uninsured. Similarly, workplaces that hire contractors without a background check could expose employees to theft, property damage, workplace violence, and more.

Protect Brand Reputation

If your company hires a contractor, then that contractor could become the face of your company. If that person does something negative – like commits a crime – then it reflects poorly on your company. Running background checks on contractors is particularly important for positions where the contractor is interacting with your customers daily.

Reduce Legal Liability

Customers who had a poor experience with your contractor may file a lawsuit. Or, if a contractor damages your home or gets hurt in your home, then you may be on the hook for damages.

How to Run a Background Check on a Contractor

To run a background check on a contractor, you will need the contractor’s permission. Since you are hiring the contractor, you will also need to work with an FCRA-compliant background check service.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act verifies certain background check services for their accuracy and completeness. If you’re making important decisions about someone’s future – say, by hiring them or approving them as a tenant – then you need to work with an FCRA compliant background check service.

Background screenings vary widely among employers. Some employers perform a cursory background check on new contractors. Others use detailed screening procedures.

CheckCriminalRecord.com is a public record and criminal background search service for anyone. However, we are not a Consumer Reporting Agency as outlined by the FCRA. By using this website or our criminal record search services, you agree to our full terms of use and privacy policy.

Contractor Crime is More Common Than You Think

Most contractors are law-abiding people. However, as with any industry, there are some people who take advantage of your trust.

You don’t have to look far to find stories of contractors taking advantage of homeowners.
In the last week, for example, the owner of a local contracting company in Pennsylvania was charged with felony stealing after a man reported paying for construction services he never received.

Another contractor, meanwhile, was charged with fraud after taking $15,000 for a project and never completing the work.

This Sioux City contractor was charged with a felony after taking more than $11,000 from a client and failing to perform any work.

These charges are all from the last week. All of these issues may have been avoided with a proper background check.

Final Word

You trust contractors with your property. Unfortunately, some contractors violate that trust.

Consider running a background check on your contractor to verify work history, work experience, and criminal record.