Facts about Public Criminal Records
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Background checks for public criminal records are routinely carried out when a person is applying for a job in the following sectors:
- Government jobs
- Careers in a school setting
- Jobs in the military
- Bank and other financial institution positions
- Work within a hospital setting
- Airport positions
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Previously, government agencies performed most of the criminal record checks. Nowadays, private companies often carry them out. They do this by accessing various public records. These checks are usually completed more quickly than they had been in the past. Of course, it is prudent to cross check data such as birth dates, addresses and the like in order to verify that the records you are accessing are those for the correct person.
At times, when a record check is being done, identity theft is discovered.
Different countries have different rules governing criminal record checks. Some countries do limit the information in their public criminal records to only include actual convictions, while other countries list charges even if the person has been acquitted as well as including arrest information and pending and dismissed charges.
Two kinds of public criminal records exist. They are standard checks and vulnerable sector checks.
In Canada there are four levels of criminal checks. These are, as follows:
- Level 1 – This level includes criminal conviction records, where a pardon has not been given.
- Level 2 – Level 1 plus charges that the police are aware of that are outstanding.
- Level 3 – Level 2 plus discharge records (records of all charges laid).
- Level 4 – Level 3 plus checking local police information, as well as law enforcement office databases and court databases
Vulnerable sector checks include Level 4 check plus pardoned sexual offences and convictions.
In the United States, some jurisdictions handle public criminal records differently than other jurisdictions.
In regards to Federal criminal records, in the United States, you can access copies of criminal records if you are looking for your own records or that of a deceased person. You are also able to access records of people that have granted you permission to obtain them.
Criminal records are kept and updated by several law enforcement agencies. They are usually used for identification checks, visa applications, employment checks, adoption records, security checks, licensing and for use in investigating criminal matters.
In the United Kingdom, criminal records are not accessible to the public.
In Hong Kong, access to criminal records is not permitted for school or employer use. It is also interesting to note that citizens of Hong Kong who intend to adopt children or go to another country can ask for a No Criminal Conviction Certificate. This is not given to the individual citizen himself. Instead it is sent directly to the government agencies or Consulate.
There are many online sites offering to provide public criminal records. Sometimes these are offered at no cost and other times there is a charge for these services.