Anyone out have exceptional knowledge about criminal background checks? If so, please read on...

Question

Hi...I am new to this forum and this is my first question. I am 32 years old and wish to return to school for nursing. I had some legal trouble when I was younger and I was convicted of a couple of misdemeanors. I successfully completed my probation and have never been in any legal trouble again. They scared me straight and good. My convictions occurred before age 20.

I wasn't sure if my records were sealed, I wanted a background check on myself so I could know that I would even be eligible for a nursing license in my state. I used what I believe to be a totally legit online tool, ichat@michigan gov. I paid ten dollars and performed a check on myself.

I was quite ecstatic when just a few moments later I received my background check, and it was clean.

I told an associate about my experience. My associate left the state while on probation on the age of 18 and has a felony warrant because of that. When this person performed his background check, he also had, according to michigan.gov, a squeaky clean record.

What gives? I now doubt the accuracy of my own report. Any light you can shed on this situation would be appreciated.

Thanks so much for reading this.

Answer 1

you should be able to go to your county courthouse (the county in which your crime occurred) and get more information.  Go to the records dept and someone there should be able to assist you.  Depending on the state that you live in there are websites that you can use at home to search these kind of things from home.  because criminal records are public information, you are entitled to this information for yourself or anyone else you choose to search for.

Answer 2

Most of the online background check services are not accurate.  There is no true nationwide criminal check available.  Ones that say they provide nationwide checks are not accurate.  Criminal records have to be checked at the local level of every place you have ever lived or visited.  I would not waste any money on the cheap online services.  Now, depending on the licensing requirements for nursing in your state will determine whether you are eligible or not for a license.  Some licenses prohibit certain offenses, some prohibit them only for a certain length of time.  Basically, it varies.  Check out your nursing licensing requirements based upon your offenses and the length of time that has passed since you committed the offenses.  If your offense falls under a prohitable offense then you can be pretty sure you will be disqualified.  Criminal records are not sealed unless you were a juvenile at the time of the offense.

Answer 3

I would doubt the accuracy of your report, also.  There is no reason for it to be clean, having admitted to the crimes you have committed.

Answer 4

I do not have much experience regarding background checks, but I do know that different agencies have different resources, and as a result can check deeper. I needa check my own record 2 see if I have an outstanding warrant in cali.

Incidently, there is a national warrant/record check system: NCIC, whose acronym stands 4 National Crime Information Computer(2 the best of my recall). As far as my knowledge goes, this system is US law enforcement only. Whenever an individuals name is run by the police, that is what itz run thru.

Timothy

:o)

Answer 5

You need to goto the state agency in all the states you've ever been arrested or convicted in and get a copy of your public criminal history.  The only problem your going to have is that usually most states give a more complete record to people in sensitive positions such as police, fire and medical personnel.  My advice would be to come clean to whoever would be hiring and licensing your so that your not fired or prosecuted for lying later