Searching for Criminal Records: Best Solutions for You

Searching for criminal records can be done a few ways. First you must take the initial effort to do the research before you visit the your state courthouse to request the record. By using the internet, you can help speed up the process as most county courthouse will not do the entire records search for you.

Searching the sheriff's office database

The first step is to consult the sheriff's office. You can do this most easily by going to your county's website. If you do not know the web address for your particular county, then a quick online search will usually reveal it. From there, you will want to navigate to the sheriff's portal. Most counties will feature a section for county criminal records where you can access arrest records as well as conviction records. Many of these sites will also feature a listing of current county prisoners.

Calling the sheriff's office

Though it may not be glamorous, another excellent way to access county criminal records is by contacting the county directly. The majority of these records are open for public consumption, so it's possible to get the information just by asking. Some offices may require individuals to submit requests via fax, while others will handle such requests over the phone or in person. This depends upon your county and their exact procedures.

Where can I find more detailed records?

The problem with most online databases is that the information is somewhat scarce. You will see the date and nature of the offense, but you won't have access to much more. More detailed records are generally available online for those who are willing to pay. By running a legitimate background check, you can pay a few dollars and get more information. For those with access to websites like LexisNexis.com, these criminal record searches are free. Others will have to pay a small amount - usually around ten dollars - for the right to sensitive information.

There are many ways to get the information that you want, and depending upon the level of specificity, you may have to consult different options. Try the free county resources first, then see if you need something a bit more invasive.


------

Help with a Federal, State and Local criminal records search can be done today by visiting the customer service center at http://criminalrecordsearch.biz