Florida Criminal Background Checks
Are background checks accurate? Officially, the answer is probably yes. Unofficially, the odds are definitely not. Below is a step by step procedure on how to find out what your official background check looks like to law enforcement. However, be aware that there are hundreds of private companies out there that collect public records and then sell those records to the public as "back ground checks." Most private employers and rental companies rely on the unofficial versions for your background check information.
The Unofficial Background Checks
When most people think of a background check they think of an official dossier that is kept on everyone by a government agency. If you thought this way, you'd be wrong. A background check is whatever a private company furnishes about you after asking them for all the information they have under your name, date of birth, social security number, etc. The information they have are all the "public records" that they have accumulated with your information.
This "public record" collection is what people now consider a background check. This is reflected in the fact that most employers, rental agencies, loan offices, and so on, rely on private companies that database vast amounts of public records to inform them on the backgrounds of people, specifically in regards to Florida criminal records.
Official Versus Unofficial Background Checks
It is true that the government, typically law enforcement, maintains records on a lot of different activities we are involved in including crimes. Official background checks would emanate from the (Florida) Department of Law Enforcement and only contain criminal information. The private companies that sell information labeled as a background check include much more information including such things as address, car registrations, names of people living with you (including children), etc.
Unfortunately, private "public records" data collectors hardly understand what they collect. Much of it is filled with government acronyms that these companies "guess" at. They take what they receive from government offices, such as the Clerks of Court Offices, and then "translate" it to something that the average Joe can understand. Very often, the translated wording is inaccurate.
There are thousands of these companies out there that claim to provide "background checks." Most have a very poor record for accuracy. They defend what they do by saying that the records they provide are all "public records" to which everyone has access. This is true but public records in the hands of the government is usually more difficult to view.
Now A Way To Remove These Records Too!
Until recently it has been almost impossible to have all these unofficial public record collectors clear off your criminal record after it has been sealed or expunged. Now there is a service that will remove your criminal records from these private databases as well. When you call ask us about this service.
To Speak to Eric J Dirga, a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney
I represent people trying to expunge misdemeanors and felonies. I have been doing this since 1998 with statewide representation. Main areas of practice are in Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford and surrounding Florida counties. Contact us to set up a time for a consultation either over the phone or in person.
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