How can I find out what will show up on a background check?

Question

I live in CA. I was finger printed and charged with petty theft.

Answer 1

Well that will probably show up.

Answer 2

It depends on what kind of check they do.Many commercial background check companies used by employers miss loads. On the other hand, there are a few REALLY good ones that find out absolutely everything. In general, if your prints were taken and entered into the fingerprint system, they'll show up as a charge on a background check.

So the question becomes.does this MATTER? well, if the application asks if you've ever been charged with a crime and you said 'no' and they catch you lying, it matters. On the other hand, if it asked if you've ever been been convicted, then you didn't lie.

If the company is one of the rare companies that uses a private person to do a check -- either a skip tracer or a PI -- they'll discover more. If they do a state police check, it just depends on how the individual state works their police checks.

by the way, several posters have said that if you were a juvenile, it will 'disappear'. It may, but it may not. a lot depends on how good the agency or group running the check is. Same thing for expungement -- we don't recommend expungements (which can only be done AFTER conviction anyway) because they aren't worth the attorney's fees. Law enforcement still keeps the records even though expunged, and even a mediocre investigator will find them.

You can explain a mistake to a potential employer -- you were young etc., but you cannot explain a lie on an application, so always let that be your guide.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

It all depends on what this backgroud check is for. If you are applying for a job and it was more than 7 years ago you may be safe. That is if you were convicted. CA is one of the states that has a seven year limit on convictions for background checks you can find a complete list here http://www.crimchecksupport.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=63

If you were convicted and it was recently (within the last seven years). The conviction can be used against you when applying for a job.

Now if you were NOT convicted of the crime then you should have no worries no matter what, unless, you are applying for a job that requires a security clearance.

In any of these cases you are probably better off admitting to the crime and explaining the circumstances to a potential employer.

Now as some others have explained if this check will be run through the FBI NCIC database then the arrest itself will probably show up regardless of conviction. I wouldn't worry too much about that though as most employers do not have access to that database.

If you could give us a little more info about aht the check is for or some of the background of your arrest then we might be able to help you out some more.

Answer 5

You can't but if you are appling for a position in law enforcemant the check is very extensive. They may even go too old neighbors too assess your charcter. If your petty theft charge was as a juvenile and has been sealed it may not show up at all, and since the question asked on applications is usually " Have you ever been convicted of a feloney, it may not count toward your hireing. The only way that you may be able too find out what will show is too hire a private firm who does background investigations too check. I had a petty theft charge on my juvinile record and had it sealed. It did not affect my being hired by the California Youth Authority and spending 31 years with them prior too my retirement. Howerer laws may well have changed since my hireing in 1972.

Answer 6

It will probably show up regardless, since they do extensive background checks in the law enforcement field. But this is a midemeanor, and if you were a juvenile when this happend, they will most likely look past it. People do change and you can't change the past, and they realize this. No one is a perfect angel. I had a minor juvenile record myself. I am ashamed of this, butI am not the same as I was when I was younger and I can't change what has already been done. I still got the job, so don't worry too much.

Answer 7

Well this depends on what type of background check. Are you looking for a job? Trying to get into the Army? Trying to get insurance? If you are worried about the petty theft incident, what age were you when this happend? If you were 18, then you shouldnt have anything to worry about since its just a misdemeanor and records clear when you turn 18.

Answer 8

Background checks usually consist of credit check, prior arrest history, and current drug use. Some places don't make you pee in a cup though. If you haven't been convicted of a crime yet, then you don't have a record. Even though you were arrested and possibly charged, unless you are convicted of a crime in a court of law, you will not have a record. Try calling the local police department and talking to them about what will show on a background check. Don't worry about being embarrassed, I am sure that a few of them have been arrested in their younger days.

Answer 9

I believe that will show up. Before my Husband joined the military they did a thorough background check and questioned him about a traffic ticket he got back when he was 16 yrs old. So, I do believe that something as simple like that will show up, especially if you were finger printed. If you were booked into a juvenile detention center or jail then it will be on your record. Sorry to hear that! I don't think they will use that against you if it was petty theft.

Answer 10

I think it rather hilarious to be called a criminal, when by the word and the action does not have criminal in it.

Then I guess American's romanticize with the big bully aspect to much as a way to lower ones self esteem or a weak way of a form of control, that does not have rehab, or derailed by peer pressure, and I have mended the way as part of the vocabulary courtesy.

Don't rob any banks, kill, rape, burn or pillage. In the true definition, you will be a criminal.

I am saying this because the use of the word is too easy to spit out, whether you are 24 years on the job or not.

One finger points, three fingers point back.

For a criminal you're pretty honest, thank you for the question, it allowed me to profile some idiots.

Answer 11

I work doing background checks. Everything you've done in the past can show up -- it only depends on what the person is looking for and how much they pay for it. The first level of check is simply previous work & addresses & phone numbers & associations. The second level would include property ownerships, financial history, judgements & liens, licenses, etc. More money = more details, and we can go back up to 25 years of your past.