Procuring criminal and arrest records in California can be done through requesting access from the Department of Justice or from the California Attorney General. Both agencies work hand in hand in recording and maintaining arrest and criminal history records. However, access to such records is restricted by law to legitimate law enforcement purposes and authorized applicant agencies only. Individuals, on the other hand, have the right to request a copy of their own arrest or criminal history record from the Department to review for accuracy and completeness. Requests for the same records from third parties will not be catered and processed.
If you wish to acquire for a copy of your personal arrest or criminal record, you have to submit fingerprint images, and pay a processing fee of $25 to the Department of Justice. Fingerprints should be from live scan. A live scan form must be filled out. In the “type of application”, check the “record review”. In the “reason for application” line, enter ‘record review”. Fill out all your personal information. Afterwards, submit the completed from to any live scan site for fingerprinting services.
In California, doing a background check can be quite difficult as the state has imposed various rules with regard to procuring arrest or criminal records of any individual in the state. Unfortunately, only private citizens are allowed to request information about their own criminal history records, while outstanding warrant information is often made available to the public. A warrant does not mean that an individual is guilty of committing a crime; it means that they are being accused of committing one. Only those with valid reason, such as employment, can request access for such records through courts.
Since January 2012, a new law in the State of California has changed the requirements in doing background checks that employers must follow and provide for them to do background checks on their consumers (applicants or employees). In California, background checks are called “investigative consumer reports” unlike other states where it is termed as “consumer reports”.
Anyone who wants to obtain an investigative consumer report for employment purposes must provide a written disclosure, in a separate document, to the consumer (applicant or employee) before the report is obtained. The written disclosure must state the fact that a report may be obtained; the permissible purpose of the report; the fact that the disclosure may include information on the consumer’s character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living; and the name and address, and telephone number of the investigative consumer reporting agency.
Since it can take much effort and time to obtain criminal or arrest records in the State of California especially if the purpose is for a background check, you can try hiring the service of several online record providers. Online record providers, like any other service providers may have their own databases which can be accessible anytime you need to. Just see to it that the online service provider you have chosen to hire is legit and will provide you with accurate results. Doing the search online can save you time, money, and a lot of effort thus making your plight in obtaining the desired record possible in an expedient and easy way.
Simple step by step guide to California Arrest Records Search. Conduct California Criminal Records Search in the convenience of your own home.