Tag: arrest records

Arrest Records and Criminal Records

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.
Salt City 21.jpg

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

Fulton CountyAnother 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.