Probation in Florida

If you are convicted of a crime that is eligible for probation in Florida, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations that go along with choosing probation. Florida has very strict laws for the probationer, and agreeing to probation is agreeing to give up quite a few rights and subject yourself to quite a few rules.

Reporting to your Probation Supervisor

If you are on probation in Florida, your Probation Supervisor has a lot of authority in your life. You must report to your supervisor when directed, and your supervisor can visit your home, work, etc. at any time to confirm that you are complying with the terms of your probation.

You cannot move out of your residence or county without permission from your supervisor. You cannot change employment without notifying your supervisor. Basically, your supervisor has absolute power. If you encounter a problem with your supervisor, make sure to do as they say and talk to your lawyer afterwards.

If the supervisor is breaking laws or conducting themselves inappropriately, it’s better to let your lawyer work it out, rather than getting in trouble for refusing to comply. Your probation officer will also administer random drug/alcohol tests, and you are responsible for paying for them.

Responsibilities and Restrictions

If you are on probation, there are a few responsibilities and restrictions to remember. You are not allowed to own a firearm or weapon of any kind. You cannot violate any law while on probation; it will result in a suspension of your probation. You must support your dependents, and not associate with anyone engaged in criminal activity. You must also submit your DNA and a digitized photograph of yourself for records purposes.

Financial Responsibilities

You are required to make reparation or restitution to the aggrieved party. The amount is determined by the court. You must also pay fees associated with your probation, including probation fees, drug/alcohol test fees, court and lawyer costs, and any debt due to the county that you accrued while incarcerated.

These are the basics of Florida probation laws. The court also has the power to add provisions to your probation guidelines. You should bear in mind that probation is considered a privilege. Florida abolished parole eligibility for almost every offense dated after 1983, so if your charge is minor enough to receive probation, take advantage of it. Criminals that are ineligible for probation will usually end up serving their entire term.

Further reading:

Official data on probation and parole in the United States

background check in California

How to do a background check in California

A Background check in California is most often done during an employment process. In California, there are many rules and regulations that go along with checking a person’s criminal history. The regulations depend on the resources used to obtain the background check.

Third Party Background Checks

If using a third-party company that specializes in background checks, including criminal or credit, the FCRA requires a few steps beforehand. You must let the applicant know that the information found could affect future employment. It must be in writing, cannot be on an application, and must be clear in intent. If the report also includes lifestyle and character reports, the applicant must be told. They have a right to the information gathered. Once you’ve taken these steps, you must prove that you have done so to the company doing the background check.

In-House Background Checks

California has built on the FCRA and created the (CIPA). If the potential employer does the investigation themselves, they are required to give you the option to receive their findings. The employer must send you the report within three days of receiving it. If there are inaccuracies on the report, correct them and inform the potential employer. If they don’t comply with the FCRA and CIPA, talk to an attorney.

Completion of Background Check

If the employer decides not to hire you based on what they’ve discovered on a background check, they have to take a few steps. They must give you a copy of all of their findings (if they used an outside company) and give you the option to review it. The employer must tell you the exact reason why they were rejected, and then you have the right to dispute it.

One of the exceptions of this rule is if the company conducts an investigation because they believe you’ve engaged in misconduct or illegal activity. If so, CIPA waives your right to consent to the background check.

Recommended Reading:

How to request a copy of your criminal records – The State of California Department of Justice

California inmate search – the CDCR official page

FL Arrest Records

Utilizing the FDLE to Find FL Arrest Records and Outstanding Warrants

If you find yourself needing to examine a person’s criminal history in Florida, you’re in luck. The FDLA’s website has many resources to help you find FL arrest records and outstanding warrants.

Initiating a warrant search

If you’re looking for Florida warrants, you’ll first need to go to the website run by the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) . On the website, you’ll see the option to access the Public Access system. From there, you’ll click the “Wanted Person” tab on the list of options (which appears on the left bar).

To start your search, just click the subject’s name and you will get an online report with plenty of details, such as a mugshot (in some of the files), the fugitive’s personal details, warrant # and date, description of offenses and reporting agency.

Using the sheriff office

To confirm outstanding warrants for sure, you will have to speak with the local sheriff’s office or official reporting agency. It will need to be the county office where the warrant was issued. Some will confirm over the phone or through email, others will require you to come in person.

Inquiring about Florida arrest records

To search for arrest records in Florida, you can also use the FDLE’s website. You will need to visit the Criminal History Information section of the website. This service will be $24.00 per person.

Receiving a certified copy

As far as the arrest records go, the FDLE online database does not give certified copies. To receive a certified copy, you will have to mail the request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Tallahassee. You’ll have to send the $24.00 check or money order for the service with your written request. It usually takes about five business days to complete the request, not counting delivery times.

Further resources:

The Florida Sheriff Association will provide you contact details of all of the sheriff offices in the state.

Neighborhood Scout provides information on crime rate in Florida.

flarrestscheck.org – Inquiring about a person’s prior criminal activity in the State of Florida

The County Sheriff and Police Departments

Sheriffs are elected by their constituents and have authority over their county. Police officers only have authority in their municipalities or city. Police officers are selected by application and their abilities in the academy. The county sheriff has many duties and responsibilities for the county they oversee. They are responsible for civil enforcement, such as evictions, divorce papers, subpoenas, and tax collection.

Some of their most important responsibilities are the management of the courts, jails, and courtroom security within their county. They are also accountable for the custody and care of prisoners while supervising the operations of the county jail. They handle many day-to-day administrative tasks. Examples include reviewing activity logs, evidence, budgeting, and investigations.

Sheriffs also perform many tasks that regular police officers normally do. They can give tickets, work traffic control, place people under arrest, and work with schools as a resource officer. Their more serious roles can include investigations into homicide, narcotics, and traffic accidents.

Cooperation between the county sheriff and the police department

The sheriff department will often have to cooperate with police officers in their jurisdiction. They help with the police hiring process and have the authority to make changes to the hiring process.

Depending on the size of the police force, the county sheriff will provide backup for the police departments and vice-versa. The sheriff department also processes things like paperwork and evidence for police officers. They will transfer cases between municipalities and borrow resources from the other, like K9 units.

The ways the departments work together will greatly depend on a few factors. Depending on the size of the county and police force, the sheriff department may have to do what is considered “beat cop” police work. This includes tasks like traffic stops, patrolling the city limits, and help with accidents. The cooperation between the departments is necessary and keeps the city safe.

Further reading:

Learn more about the role and duties of sheriff office on the website of the National Sheriff Association.

Statistics and data related to sheriff offices and law enforcement agencies.

Arrest Records and Criminal Records

What is the difference between arrest records and criminal records? Will arrest records affect your career? The following article will answer these questions.

What are Arrest Records?

Being arrested is defined as being temporarily held in police custody. Being arrested doesn’t even mean you will be charged with a crime. After taken into police custody, the prosecutor will determine whether you will be charged or not.

After being arrested, a few things can happen. The prosecutor may determine that there was no crime committed and release you. The prosecutor could charge you, but those charges can be dropped or dismissed later. The prosecutor can also charge you and take your case to trial, where you may be found not guilty. The important thing to remember about an arrest record is that it does not indicate a conviction.

What are Criminal Records?

Criminal records are different. If you have a criminal record, you have been convicted of a crime. After the arrest, the prosecutor charged you with a crime, and a few different things could have happened. You could have plea bargained, which is agreeing to plead guilty of a crime in exchange for a lesser sentence. You could have been charged with a crime and found guilty by a jury. Either way, a criminal record equals a conviction.

The implications of an arrest record – will it affect your chances of finding a good job?

Having an arrest record is usually not a big deal. It will usually show up on a background check, but on as an arrest and non-conviction. Most employers don’t care about arrest records. It’s illegal in some states to even ask about past arrest that didn’t lead to convictions.

A conviction will show up on a background check as an arrest and conviction. Usually details will be provided about the case and conviction as well. Having an arrest record is usually not a big deal, but having a conviction on your background check can damage future employment opportunities.

Recommended reading:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Will your criminal history affect your future employment prospects?

Office of Justice Program – Criminal records and employment

Arrest Records and Background Checks in Fulton County

How to Perform an Arrest and Background Checks in Fulton County, Georgia

There are a few ways to go about getting arrest records and background checks in Fulton County, GA. Depending on where you’re located and your resources will determine the best option for you.

The County Sheriff Department

The sheriff is the primary source to inquire about a person’s criminal history in Fulton County. To start your inquiry, you will need a check or money order made out to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. The cost is $15.00. The easiest way to do it is by physically going into the office and filling out the paperwork. The background check will cover convictions and arrests.

Atlanta Police Department

Another option is the Atlanta Police Department. They are available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm. You must have a $10.00 money order or cashiers check made out to the “City of Atlanta” for each request. You’ll need a legal form of identification to request the background check. If the background check is for another person, you will need notarized consent and the person’s notarized consent.

Georgia Felon Search

If you suspect the person that you’re running the check on is a felon, you can visit GTA.Georgia.Gov. On said site, there is an online search engine called Georgia Felon Search. For $15.00, you can search by name, DOB, address, etc and receive instant results.

Third Party Websites

There are many third-party websites that will assist you in carrying out arrest records and background checks in Georgia. Most of them provide county records, criminal records, and court records. They employ court-runners to retrieve the information and send the results. This web page especially focuses on Fulton County while offering users an advanced search option.

These are your best options for obtaining background checks and arrest records. As mentioned above, the best choice would be to visit Fulton County’s sheriff option and go through there. It will provide the most accurate and detailed report. Just remember, if you are conducting a search on another person, make sure you have their written consent.