A criminal background check is a powerful tool that can uncover the secrets of a person’s past. Employers, recruiters and other organizations rely on this type of check to make informed hiring decisions, promoting or granting security clearance to potential employees. It is important to understand what a criminal background check entails and how it can be used to make important employment decisions.
What is a criminal background check?
A criminal background check is an in-depth search of a person’s criminal history. The purpose of this check is to uncover any past criminal activity or convictions that may impact an individual’s ability to be hired for a job or other position. This type of check is becoming increasingly common, as employers and other organizations are taking extra steps to ensure they make informed hiring decisions.
A criminal background check can be conducted by a private investigator, a consumer reporting agency or even a government agency. In most cases, the check will include a search of state and federal criminal databases, as well as any local courts by court runners . This search will reveal any criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, arrests, and other important information related to a person’s criminal history.
What information is included in a criminal background check?
A criminal background check can provide a wealth of information about a person’s past. This information can include:
Arrests: Any arrests, mugshots or detainments that have taken place.
Convictions: Any convictions for crimes, including misdemeanors and felonies.
Sex Offender Registries: If a person is registered as a sex offender in any state.
Outstanding Warrants: If a person has any outstanding warrants for their arrest or pending cases.
Probation Records: If a person is currently on probation or parole.
Driving Records: Any driving-related offenses, such as DUIs or reckless driving. This also includes any license revocations, and expired licenses.
In addition to this information, the check may also reveal any aliases or other names used by the individual, as well as any previous addresses.
How to perform a criminal background check
If you are interested in conducting a criminal background check, there are several options available. You can hire a private investigator to conduct the check, or you can use a consumer reporting agency, such Atlanta, GA based GlobalBackgroundScreening.com. These services offer an easy and cost-effective way to conduct a comprehensive background check. In addition, Global Background Screening is available in over 150 countries and is rated 5-stars on Google.
When using an online service to conduct a criminal background check in the USA, you or the applicant will need to provide some basic information about the person in question. This includes their full name, date of birth, social security number, and current address. Once the payment is processed, the check will be conducted automatically and the results will be available within 1-3 business days. The time it takes all depends on if the applicant has any possible hits, has a common name, or is located in an area where the court clerks are extremely backed up.
How to interpret the results of a criminal background check
Once the criminal background check is complete, you will receive a detailed report that outlines the person’s criminal history. This report will include any convictions or other information related to the individual’s criminal past. It is important to carefully review the report and understand the implications of the information provided. Any non-convictions will be filtered out depending on the state and federal laws.
In some cases, the report may reveal information that is not relevant to the person’s current circumstances. For example, an older conviction may not be relevant to the individual’s current job or other position. In this case, according the EEOC, the employer should take the time to consider the information in the context of the person’s current situation.
What employers can learn from a criminal background check
A criminal background check can provide employers with valuable information about a potential employee. This information can help employers make informed decisions about hiring, promoting and granting security clearance to potential employees.
When reviewing the results of a criminal background check, employers should consider the type of crime, when it occurred and the individual’s current circumstances. It is important to take the time to evaluate the information in the context of the individual’s current job or other position. For example, a conviction for a minor offense several years ago may not prevent an individual from being hired for a job, while a recent conviction for a more serious offense may be more concerning. This is where a professional screening company like Global Background Screening can provide you the appropriate steps to deny someone employment due to negative information. This federal regulated procedure is called taking adverse action.
What recruiters need to know about criminal background checks
Recruiters also need to be aware of the implications of a criminal background check. In many cases, recruiters will be responsible for conducting the check on potential employees and evaluating the results. In some cases, recruiters may be asked to provide the results to the employer.
Recruiters need to understand the legal implications of a criminal background check. For example, recruiters must ensure that the check is conducted in compliance with state and federal laws. Likewise, recruiters must be aware of any restrictions on the type of information that can be revealed in a criminal background check depending on the state .
How to use a criminal background check for employment
When using a criminal background check for employment, employers should consider the implications of the information revealed in the check. Employers should consider the type of job the individual is applying for and the type of information revealed in the check. In some cases, a minor offense may not prevent an individual from being hired for a job, while a more serious offense may be more concerning.
In addition, employers should consider the individual’s current circumstances. For example, a conviction that is several years old may be less concerning than a more recent conviction. Employers should also consider the individual’s willingness to discuss the conviction and any steps they have taken to address the issue.
What employers should consider when conducting a criminal background check
When conducting a criminal background check, employers should take the time to consider the implications of the information revealed in the check. Employers should consider the type of job the individual is applying for and the type of information revealed in the check. It is also important to consider the individual’s current circumstances and any steps they have taken to address the issue.
In addition, employers should be aware of the legal implications of a criminal background check. Employers must ensure that the check is conducted in compliance with state and federal laws. Likewise, employers must be aware of any restrictions on the type of information that can be revealed in a criminal background check.
What to do if you have an inaccurate criminal background check
If you believe there is inaccurate or outdated information in your criminal background check, you should take steps to dispute the information. In most cases, you can contact the company that conducted the check and request an investigation. The company will then review the information and take steps to correct any inaccurate information.
It is important to note that an inaccurate criminal background check can have serious consequences. An inaccurate background check can prevent an individual from being hired for a job or other position, or from receiving security clearance. If you believe you have an inaccurate background check, it is important to take steps to correct the issue as soon as possible.
Conclusion
A criminal background check is a powerful tool that can provide employers, recruiters and other organizations with valuable information about a person’s past. It is important to understand what a criminal background check entails and how it can be used to make important decisions about employment. Global Background Screening offers an easy and cost-effective way to conduct a comprehensive background check in seconds. Take the time to understand the implications of a criminal background check and use it to make informed decisions about hiring, promoting and granting security clearance.
