Looking Into The Past With Civil Records
Posted by Jeannette Piecznski
Records found in civil courts pertain to money compensation sought by one person or company against another person or company. The civil records also include divorce cases. They are an excellent location to search for background information about a person or business.
Taking the time to research civil court records is important for many people. Perhaps you want to take a look into your future son-in-law's past, or maybe you're a cautious business owner looking for a trustworthy partner to handle your financial affairs. It's important not to rely solely on criminal records or a credit check to provide a complete picture of a person's past. Some issues will not be prosecuted as a criminal matter or found on a credit check.
Searching these records can reveal if a person or entity has been financially irresponsible or has had legal problems with other people or businesses. Some of these issues can involve disputes with previous employers, insurance companies, defaulting on loans, bankruptcies or credit card issues. Some are eviction notices, child support issues, garnishment of wages or losing a handgun license. Other cases involve insurance companies against an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
The civil case records are typically found in the county courthouse, as well as in other courts called justice of the peace courts or lower court. The court selected depends on the value of the case which varies between states. Some small claims are $7,000, where others are $10,000. Some states will allow small claims to be heard in the county court even when it does not exceed the amount that could be handled in a lower court. The particular location and how these records are indexed and filed vary greatly between courts, even in the same county.
Deciding on how many years to search is up to the individual; however, researchers have most luck with the past seven to ten years.
There are federal civil records that are searched in a manner similar to the county level. Some of the cases involved at the federal level include violations of federal codes, harassment, discrimination, civil rights and other federal issues.
In most civil cases, the person will be identified by name and address. Sometimes a social security number or drivers' license number is included, but not always. It is important to cross-check the limited identifiable information to ensure that the record found matches the person or business you're seeking.
At one time, civil court research performed by companies were reserved for job applicants in the health profession or prospective executives due to the expense and time required to perform the search. That is not the case anymore. PeopleSmart's court-runner service can offer a low cost, fast alternative. This network of court-runners can provide you the records and answers you need in any county.
Why Search For Civil Records?
Taking the time to research civil court records is important for many people. Perhaps you want to take a look into your future son-in-law's past, or maybe you're a cautious business owner looking for a trustworthy partner to handle your financial affairs. It's important not to rely solely on criminal records or a credit check to provide a complete picture of a person's past. Some issues will not be prosecuted as a criminal matter or found on a credit check.
Information That Can Be Found
Searching these records can reveal if a person or entity has been financially irresponsible or has had legal problems with other people or businesses. Some of these issues can involve disputes with previous employers, insurance companies, defaulting on loans, bankruptcies or credit card issues. Some are eviction notices, child support issues, garnishment of wages or losing a handgun license. Other cases involve insurance companies against an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
Where The Records Are Located
The civil case records are typically found in the county courthouse, as well as in other courts called justice of the peace courts or lower court. The court selected depends on the value of the case which varies between states. Some small claims are $7,000, where others are $10,000. Some states will allow small claims to be heard in the county court even when it does not exceed the amount that could be handled in a lower court. The particular location and how these records are indexed and filed vary greatly between courts, even in the same county.
Deciding on how many years to search is up to the individual; however, researchers have most luck with the past seven to ten years.
Federal Civil Records
There are federal civil records that are searched in a manner similar to the county level. Some of the cases involved at the federal level include violations of federal codes, harassment, discrimination, civil rights and other federal issues.
Performing The Search
In most civil cases, the person will be identified by name and address. Sometimes a social security number or drivers' license number is included, but not always. It is important to cross-check the limited identifiable information to ensure that the record found matches the person or business you're seeking.
At one time, civil court research performed by companies were reserved for job applicants in the health profession or prospective executives due to the expense and time required to perform the search. That is not the case anymore. PeopleSmart's court-runner service can offer a low cost, fast alternative. This network of court-runners can provide you the records and answers you need in any county.
