Reference checks will say many things about a prospective nanny or housekeeper. For example, a former boss might tell you that the nanny was excellent with children, reliable, responsible and hardworking. Then you might go down the list and find that one of the references states that the same nanny was late all the time and this presented a problem. However, what if none of the references say anything about one's shady past because none of them knew of any criminal activity? You would then think that most likely with a good criminal and reference background check that you are 99% safe with your candidate.
Consider this - there is always the possibility that a crime might have existed without being discovered. Here is the best way to do a criminal check.
First do a social security trace that will give you what is called a "mega history" on the person. This will outline all counties in the last 7 years where a person has lived. From this list you can narrow your search using the candidate's date of birth and social security number checking all the counties that are listed on the trace. If the candidate has many names, then you must do the trace on all of them, using the sequence of names as listed on the driver's license and social security card.
The real dilemma lies if you discover a criminal record on someone who is working out beautifully with the children and appears to be a good employee? What do you do? Do you give her the benefit of the doubt? Do you keep someone in your home that you like because you are willing to give this person a chance? Would you forgive the crime and believe that people can change and never return to those dark days? Or, do you immediately throw the person out and feel relieved that nothing bad happened in your home during the short time she was there?
There are many criminals today that wander our streets after doing the time required to pay for their wrongdoings. Many cannot possibly assimilate into society because so few are willing to give them a chance. It might be easier to let a former felon into other settings before letting him/her into your home with your children. The truth is that it would be extremely difficult to not think constantly about the former crime and worry about the possibility that the person would do it again.
We might be forgiving in many ways to others who hurt us or do us wrong, but we are not so obliging when it comes to a former felon working in our home as a nanny or housekeeper.
In all of this, there is one more scenario to ponder. You might hire a nanny or housekeeper who has no criminal background, a fabulous set of working references, a clean driving record and what appears to be a "perfect" nanny or housekeeper. Then after five long wonderful years working together closely with your family members and in your home, this same person decides that she is desperate and finds herself wanting things that do not belong to her or that she cannot obtain on her own. She begins her criminal career right there in your home and you are completely oblivious to it until one day the truth is known.
This very thing just happened to someone very close to me (my mother) and needless to say, she was devastated.
We can never be sure about anyone. People may have a brief or even extensive criminal past and end up turning completely around for the better. Others might never have any criminal past and end up doing something completely out of character due to desperation, envy and greed. Whenever you have someone in your home, it is a risk you take. Whenever you hand your children over to another person, you are taking a risk. You can run all the criminal background checks you want on anyone, but the truth remains that you can never be too sure about anyone. It is a wonderful feeling to be a trusting soul, but we must always keep one eye fully open and stay vigilant at all times - no matter who it is that enters our lives.
Background And Criminal Checks
A background criminal report is a tool which is used by many employers, local and federal government, corporations and private individuals to protect their families, themselves and their property from the criminal element. It is generally understood, by the majority of the public, it is a simple matter to obtain this information from the local and federal government. However, that is not quite true. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a better understanding of what may be involved.
One of the reasons people tend to believe it is a simple matter, to obtain the lawbreaking history of an individual, is due to the entertainment industry and the World Wide Web. This industry includes the movies, T.V. shows and books. The majority of these shows and books portray someone using a computer to access the internet and gaining access to some type of national database, which has a file on every lawbreaker in the United States. Frankly, that image is not quite true.
Yes! It is true the United States Government maintains a national database called the Interstate Identification Index (better known by the acronym Triple-I). And in fact the Triple-I contains information on people who have broken the law. However, the index is maintained by the F.B.I and access is limited to state and federal law enforcement agencies. It should also be understood, unless the federal, state, county and city governments have submitted the information to Triple-I, the offenders will not be in the database. Since access is limited to law enforcement, the general public must use other means at its disposal.
Background criminal reports can be found by searching federal, state, county and city records. Each of these entities may have different laws for gaining access to the records. Consequently, it may become quite complicated when multiple jurisdictions are going to have to be checked. However, there is one thing the majority of them have in common, each of these entities maintain a web site, with the criminal information, which the public can access.
To help you get an accurate background report on the individual you are investigating, there are several things that will be critical to your investigation. One of the first steps you must take is to do a thorough one on one interview with the party concerned. The absolute minimum amount of information, you should extract, is the full name, date of birth, social security number and the addresses where the party of the investigation has resided for the last seven years. This information will determine that you indeed are getting the correct information on the right person.
The next step which must be determined is if the investigating party is going to conduct the criminal records investigation or if a professional investigative agency will be utilized. Frankly, if the investigating party is pressed for time a professional agency may be the best way to go.
Once the information has been received from the investigation a determination can be made as to the character of the person being investigated. Only then will you know who you are really dealing with!
Both Marta Perrone & Kris Rise are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Marta Perrone has sinced written about articles on various topics from Criminal Defense Law, About My Space and Legal Matters. Marta Perrone, author of How to Find, Hire, Train and Maintain Household Help. Free report: Top 10 Mistakes Household Employers Make When Recruiting Help.. Marta Perrone's top article generates over 90500 views. Bookmark Marta Perrone to your Favourites.
Kris Rise has sinced written about articles on various topics from Criminal Defense Law, Parenting and Home Management. Kris Rise is a professional who strongly believes in a background criminal report. Know who you are really dealing with and drop by. Kris Rise's top article generates over 2900 views. Bookmark Kris Rise to your Favourites.
