The Court Office Hierarchy & The Records It Maintains
Posted by Jeannette Piecznski
There are many reasons why a person would like to learn more about someone's past records. In this day and age, it is important to protect a business from an unscrupulous employee or someone providing care for children or seniors. Both large and small businesses regularly check these records for potential candidates for a job opening. In some states, an employer can be even be held liable for negligent hiring if they don't conduct a background check on prospective employees.
Below is a breakdown of all the different types of court offices and the records they typically maintain to aid you in your court record search.
A municipal or city court record includes misdemeanors such as traffic violations, shoplifting, criminal damage, harassment, bad checks, and other issues under a specific dollar amount. The dollar amount varies from state to state. These courts impose fines, community service and sanctions.
County criminal records consist of misdemeanors, DUI, felonies, citations and environmental violations. In some of the cases you will find traffic citations, parking violations, petty theft, cases appealed from municipal courts, boating, fishing and other non-criminal infractions. A felony is a more serious crime. A felony includes kidnapping, drugs, theft and bodily injury. States vary on what they consider a misdemeanor or felony. Juvenile cases heard in the county court are not available to the public. Some adult cases can also be sealed from the public.
Crimes prosecuted in federal courts consist of crimes against the federal law or took place on federal land. Cases are brought before this court when: the United States is a party in the lawsuit, when the case is between parties of different states if the amount exceeds $75,000, bank robberies, using the US mail to swindle customers, bringing illegal drugs into the country or across state lines, copyright and patent infringement. Federal District court records information can be located in 92 districts.
Many departments of corrections provide a state database for those who are or have been incarcerated. Newspaper searches can lead to information about a criminal act. Police departments also maintain records, which can be searched.
Surprisingly for many searches, only a name is needed. The more information known about the person whom you are researching is helpful. Usually the full name, former names, address and date of birth would be sufficient for most searches. When evaluating any information found, make sure you have the correct person and not someone with the same first and last name. Make sure to check with the laws in your state, as some states require permission from the person you are searching.
Where To Search Begin in the area where the person lived during the timeframe desired to search. Some records are retained for seven to ten years, others are indefinite. Federal, county and city court records provide in depth information about the case and the judgment, where other records may not contain much information. Always expand your search for neighboring cities and counties.
The number of locations to search for someone's criminal record can be expansive and feel overwhelming to complete on your own. Also the format to how each location performs the search varies greatly. If you find you do not have the time to search these records yourself or you located someone of interest on an index but want more information, seek assistance from PeopleSmart's court runner service.
Below is a breakdown of all the different types of court offices and the records they typically maintain to aid you in your court record search.
City or Municipal Court Records
A municipal or city court record includes misdemeanors such as traffic violations, shoplifting, criminal damage, harassment, bad checks, and other issues under a specific dollar amount. The dollar amount varies from state to state. These courts impose fines, community service and sanctions.
County Court Records
County criminal records consist of misdemeanors, DUI, felonies, citations and environmental violations. In some of the cases you will find traffic citations, parking violations, petty theft, cases appealed from municipal courts, boating, fishing and other non-criminal infractions. A felony is a more serious crime. A felony includes kidnapping, drugs, theft and bodily injury. States vary on what they consider a misdemeanor or felony. Juvenile cases heard in the county court are not available to the public. Some adult cases can also be sealed from the public.
Federal District Court Records
Crimes prosecuted in federal courts consist of crimes against the federal law or took place on federal land. Cases are brought before this court when: the United States is a party in the lawsuit, when the case is between parties of different states if the amount exceeds $75,000, bank robberies, using the US mail to swindle customers, bringing illegal drugs into the country or across state lines, copyright and patent infringement. Federal District court records information can be located in 92 districts.
Other Records To Search
Many departments of corrections provide a state database for those who are or have been incarcerated. Newspaper searches can lead to information about a criminal act. Police departments also maintain records, which can be searched.
Information Needed To Perform A Search
Surprisingly for many searches, only a name is needed. The more information known about the person whom you are researching is helpful. Usually the full name, former names, address and date of birth would be sufficient for most searches. When evaluating any information found, make sure you have the correct person and not someone with the same first and last name. Make sure to check with the laws in your state, as some states require permission from the person you are searching.
Where To Search Begin in the area where the person lived during the timeframe desired to search. Some records are retained for seven to ten years, others are indefinite. Federal, county and city court records provide in depth information about the case and the judgment, where other records may not contain much information. Always expand your search for neighboring cities and counties.
The number of locations to search for someone's criminal record can be expansive and feel overwhelming to complete on your own. Also the format to how each location performs the search varies greatly. If you find you do not have the time to search these records yourself or you located someone of interest on an index but want more information, seek assistance from PeopleSmart's court runner service.
