Based on data analysis, the Prison Policy Initiative reports that at least four-point-nine million people go to jail following an arrest in the United States each year. More than one-in-four people go to jail multiple times a year. Three-and-a-half million people have one arrest and go to jail. An estimated 928,000 people experience two arrests and jail sentences, and 428,000 people go to jail three or more times in one year. Most people with multiple arrests per year receive jail time for nonviolent offenses, such as trespassing, theft, or drug possession.
Getting a job and staying employed after a jail or prison sentence is hard for many former inmates to do. Some ex-cons have been able to find employment and return to work, but others feel that the hiring process discriminates against them due to their criminal record. When seeking a job or applying and enrolling in an academic program at a college or university, applicants might need to do a background check.
Background checks may be necessary for processes such as enlisting in the military or fostering or adopting a child. Hiring managers, potential employers, college and university admissions offices, and others use background checks to verify the information an applicant supplies in their applications, references, interviews, and resumes. For this reason, people want to know if arrests show up in background checks.
Arrest records and criminal records, like background checks, are public information. Such records are accessible at the local, state, and federal levels via the Internet. The information included in criminal records for public access may differ in each state. Some states limit accessible information to misdemeanor or felony convictions, while others make additional information available.
For unlimited public data, Internet users should consult an online resource database, such as GoLookUp. GoLookUp aggregates public information such as arrest, court, and criminal records, traffic violations, mugshots, and sexual offenses.
This website has search features that allow users to conduct reverse phone and address lookups for phone numbers and addresses in the U.S. Users can do background checks on themselves and others in different states. For example, Arkansas residents or people looking for someone from Arkansas can use GoLookUp to discover Danville mugshots and arrest or criminal records.
Three different types of arrest records may appear in a background check. Background checks may show arrest records as a pending case. Pending cases refer to in-progress situations where an arrested individual receives criminal charges. Arrest/non-convictions might be available in background checks and reflect an individual’s arrest and crime accusations. These records mean cases resulted in dropped charges or court rulings that found an individual not guilty. Arrest records/convictions indicate that an arrest led to a trial that resulted in a guilty plea from the defendant or a guilty verdict.
While background checks are useful for hiring decisions, as they omit any surprises that could impair a candidate’s eligibility, people should be aware that all arrests don’t result in convictions, and such arrests shouldn’t impact hiring decisions.
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) states that employers shouldn’t use arrest records to reject applicants. It’s unlikely that employers or others who must make professional, academic, or personal decisions will see arrests that don’t result in convictions.
Individuals who think they’re facing discrimination in the hiring process because of a criminal record or another reason should consider taking legal action. People looking for a lawyer can search online for one and visit law offices’ websites. While law offices can gain clients through Internet searches and email marketing, referrals are most effective at garnering clients. Legal professionals can learn how to maximize their referrals and gain clients by utilizing attorney marketing skills at companies such as Nettra Media.
Nettra helps law offices achieve a robust referral system. Their approach involves referrals from current clients, past clients, competitors, and business owners in related businesses, and teaches law offices and legal professionals how to follow up with clients and referrals, how to reach potential clients, and target IP addresses. Attorneys can provide counsel for clients who think someone is using arrest and criminal records get used against them in improper ways.
