How to Find Someone's Criminal Charges

Knowing the criminal background of a prospective neighbor, date, or other community member is essential to some people concerned with safety. While the criminals and crimes are a matter of public record, sometimes locating a person's criminal charges can be a bit difficult. A number of agencies, including state and local governments, the FBI, and non-profit online agencies offer a wealth of services to help identify felons and the charges against them.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the clerk's office of the courthouse in which the criminal was convicted. Since the conviction is a public record, anyone may view the record of conviction if they know the criminal's name, unless the record is sealed by the judge.

• 2

  Seek the assistance of a background check service firm. These firms have access to criminal databases, typically gathered by a number of private and non-profit sources. In general, you will need a person's name, middle initial, and date of birth so that you may run a search. The middle initial and date of birth are particularly helpful as they can weed out others with the same name. A city and state will also help narrow the search. Since these firms operate online, the results are often instantly received as soon as a payment, if required, is made.

• 3

  Search FelonSpy for the felons in your immediate area. Founded by policemen and concerned community activists, FelonSpy uses a number of databases to give you a list of felons within a specific area. The site generates a map much like Google Maps where a felon's name, address, and charges are brought up much like a point of interest in Google Maps. FelonSpy also offers background checks and other services for a fee.

• 4

  Go to the National Sex Offender Public Website or the FBI's Sex Offender Registry. These sites house databases of sex offenders, who by law must register their addresses with state and local police. The FBI database breaks down these registries by state, where you may then enter a specific name or simply the county in which you live to bring up the sex offenders in your area.

• 5

  Search your state government's website. Most states offer a felon search, often providing results for a small fee. These services require the name of a felon, as well as their date of birth.

• 6

  Contact your local law enforcement agency. These agencies may provide you with a person's felony record for a small fee and will need the person's name, race, sex, and date of birth. Some states require that the felon give written consent in order for you to access their record.