Dear Friends and Attorneys :p,

What is the best (and cheapest) way to find out about someone's criminal record? Some charged $30, but I wasn't sure what I was getting. I surfed around and there are many sites that do background checks. A job that my wife once had required them to do background checks. I think it was a yearly subscription. I just want to do a one time check on two people, but it has to be nationwide and comprehensive. Any suggestions? Or better yet tell us about your criminal background - thought I'd spice it up a bit. Gracias amigos.

In my younger years i was once arrested for fighting in the street. Luckily the police didn't see fit to charge me and just let me cool off with a night in a cell, which was a truly horrendous experience

Needless to say i learnt a hard lesson and have been a model citizen ever since....well nearly

I have a criminal record yes, which i won't go in to...

Sorry to disappoint you guys but I've never even had a parking ticket.

MC - if you knew someone with one of those background check accounts, maybe they could do you a favor?

i call bs on that mark lol

And I thought you were a MARKed man.

I have seen sites in which you pay to get background checks on people. I know HERE in my city I can go on line at the county Superior Court and get info on IF anyone has a record. Other than that, you'd probably need to ask a lawyer. You in trouble MC?

Now is probably a good time for me to make a confession. I was about 15. My best friend and I quite often after school would walk to a local mini mall (thought it was called shopping center at the time). We'd look at the dress shops, record shop and ended by going to the local drug store which had a soda fountain inside. One time we each got a hot fudge sundae. Mmmmm. We waited and waited for someone to come so we could pay for it and go.

I am ashamed to say, after a few minutes we walked out without paying. (Dragnet theme) I really don't know what came over me but it must bother me cause to this day I still remember. The drug store is no longer there but technically I owe them 35 cents.

You guys better not snitch on me now. Hope nobody comes a-knocking on my door and cuffing me. I be doing the "perp walk".

Whew, confession is good for the soul isn't it?


TIS

TIS, I am now looking at you in a whole new light.

When I was 8 years old I got caught throwing rocks at windows in an abandoned house. Cops took me and my friend "downtown". My father had to come and pick us up. I remember being very scared.

But, no TIS, I'm not in trouble...yet

Sad but true - I am very boring.

Nothing wrong with that Mark...i am fairly boring myself these days!!!!!

Try sentrylink.com. I worked in an office that used this service for a fee. There is another called intelius too.

No crim record for me, but I'm relatively young. I've had more than my share of traffic tickets, but I'll reveal a dirty little secret: Most of the times a local cop, and all of the time a state trooper won't give you a speeding ticket if you show them your attorney license.

Thanks Kly, I'll give them a try (hey, that ryhmned).


And as far as Yogi fighting in the streets.......were you one of those British Hooligans!?

I've recently had a few experiences that may (or may not) be helpful.

Late last year, I tried to find an ex-student of mine from nearly 25 years ago. I Googled the name (it was an unusual one), and immediately found a website that showed the person had been recently arrested on a drunk and disorderly charge, mugshots and all. The page also had links so you could see the arrest history - I discovered this person had a record going back many years. The problem with the site was that it only covered one state (Florida), and I don't even think it covered the whole state. But, what it showed me was certainly enough.

Another recent event: A couple of months ago, my wife received a handwritten letter from a man who claimed to be incarcerated in Texas. He was, allegedly, looking for a pen-pal (no pun intended). This was quite odd because (a) my wife never had any contact with anyone doing time, and (b) she's been dead for over five years. I Googled this guy's name (along with the name of the prison), and found that, yes indeed, he's doing time and has quite a rap sheet. Found some mugshots, too, thanks to a Google Image Search. (The whole pen-pal thing was a scam, and I destroyed the letter.)

Last year, a friend of mine did some checking (through Google) on his sister-in-law's crackhead boyfriend. He found the guy had quite a record, but I couldn't find anything on him. He has a fairly common name, so I'm not sure which site actually had the info my friend found. I should have asked him specifically which website he went to (at the time, he wanted me to see the guy's arrest history as well).

So, my whole point is that it may be possible to find out some info on a person's criminal background without resorting to using a pay service. I would try these options first, before I plunk down any money.

Signor V.

If you're willing tot ake the time, there are a number of non-cost ways to check up on someone.

There are many ways to check records ! But many say they are free !

Ya Right ! Contact me via PM ! Maybe I can help you out .

MC, Kly made a good recommendation. But, I'd be wary of using an online site because you'd establish a record for yourself as someone who was looking into the possible criminal background of two people. You'd have no control over how the site's operators would use that info on you.

Do you know someone you can trust in law enforcement? You could ask for a referral to a private investigator or someone who does background checks on, say, day care workers or religious school teachers. That way, you could pay the background checker without having to give any personal info.

That's great advice, TB. If you use one of those "Web Detective" sites, they'll use your own personal information in the future when someone wants to investigate you.

Thanks all for your thoughts on this. As usual GBB is a great source of intelligent responses.

And some from me .

Oh, and some semi-intelligent responses But Giants fans are exempt.

There you go Giants rule ! They kick ass !