Criminal Records
 

Where do criminal records start ? I mean does it show up on your record that you have been arrested but not charged with anything (actually can you be arrested and later released without being charged) ? Are things that involve a judge and a court are the only things show up on your record ? Does it show up on your record when you go down to the police station and have a chat with the police about some case ? I'm just trying to get a clear understanding of what goes on your criminal record and what doesn't. Also if I want to perform a criminal background check on a furture employee strictly as an employer how would I go about doing it ? Do I go to my local police department and ask for one ? How long far back do you need to search in a persons past 5 years, 10 year, entire life ? Anyone owning their company who's hired someone to work for them done this before ? Can soneone shed any light on either of my questions or point me to a web page would be much appreciated.

All your contact and communication events in any way with a law enforcement agency are databased.

In October the FBI completed and launched the most massive interconnection ever of worldwide databases. So much so that even people who normally don't oppose their big brother tactics, are a bit worried that they've gone over the line. This new system is so powerful it literally pulls every single known fact about you from a to z, including government, law enforcement, financial, educational, medical and commercial databases worldwide into one gigantic comprehensive instantaneous report.

You can be charged and later have the charge dropped.
You can be charged and go to court and have the matter thrown out.
You can be charged and go to court, and be given a 'no record', which is a conviction, but it will not show up as a record.

When doing background checks, I'd like to think companies would stil hire if a person has previous for something like trespass because they were tree hugging hippies and barricaded themselves in a small forest somewhere to stop multinationals raping the place.

But then again.

Not so, they are looked at as potential trouble makers.

:Graucho

Or people that stand up for something?

Pfft who am i kidding, i'm fucked :D

Yeah I would no problem. But imagine if you owned your own company and you have 10-15 employees who get along really well. Now if you throw in someone who has prior convictions for multiple harrasements, multiple assults, multiple DUIs, etc... you are disrupting a harmonious (and hopefully) productive enviornment. If you are a business owner you must also look out for the benefit of your employees and not just your own. Your company is only as productive as your employees.