Thursday, April 17, 2014

California Free Public Criminal Records

By Ben Kingsley


In California, background screening is quickly becoming a standard practice in many workplaces and even businesses across the world. Organizations perform background checks as they are always on the lookout to mitigate their risks. Performing background checks is an effective and easy way for them to do so. In background screening, the records heavily relied on are criminal records as such records indicate any felonies or misdemeanour done by an individual thereby helping employers do the decision-making fast and with assurance. California criminal records can be acquired through the Department of Justice or California Attorney General.

In accordance to the Public Records Law, all state agencies and institutions are accountable for the citizenry. This roughly generates a presupposition that all vital records can be accessed by any member of the state in need. However, unlike any other states in the US, California does restrict access to certain records. For instance, not just anyone who wishes to can request for a copy of a criminal record. Criminal records are restricted to legitimate law enforcement agencies, authorized applicant agencies, and those persons named on the criminal history information only. Thus, third parties requesting for such records will not be entertained.

In case of background checks or genealogy research, the Department of Justice cannot issue a certified copy of the criminal record requested. Instead, such agency will provide an informational copy only. Such copy indicates the same information with that of a certified copy. What only differs is that an informational copy cannot establish identity as it is not a valid document.

In requesting for a copy of a criminal record, you have to submit your fingerprint images, and pay a processing fee of $25 to the Department of Justice. Fingerprints should be from Live Scan. Like any other record requests, an application form must be secured and must be filled out with the necessary information. For criminal record requests, a Live Scan form must be obtained and completed with your personal details. This form can be downloaded online. In the "type of application", check the "record review". In the "reason for application" line, enter 'record review". The completed form must then be submitted along with a copy of an image of your Live Scan fingerprints. The usual processing time takes weeks to months depending on the volume of requests such agencies are receiving.

In California, doing a background check can be quite difficult as the state has imposed many rules with regards to the procurement of criminal records. In such case, if an informational copy does not suffice you, you can actually try retrieving the criminal record you need online.

There are several online record providers all over the web which proffer the same services but for only a minimal fee. Others don't require a fee though. Regardless of which type of service provider you choose to go with, these independent online providers have their own database which contains the records you need. With only a minimal fee required, you get to have unlimited access to their database. Aside from that, you will acquire the criminal or arrest records public that you need in just a matter of minutes instead of the usual weeks to months processing time. Just see to it that you do a quick background check on the record provider you're eyeing on to ensure accurate and comprehensive results.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment