Who Requests Background Checks and Why?

Jun17

Hearing about getting a background check may sound a bit intimidating. In today’s world, people are requesting background checks for all sorts of reasons and as a means of protecting themselves, their families, and their companies.

Who typically requests background checks and why?

People preform background checks in order to evaluate any potential risk of allowing someone into their life or community. They want to know who is around them and if they have been convicted or charged with any crimes or serious offenses. This isn’t to be mean or to seem suspicious of everyone, it’s to have full knowledge of the persons background. Here are the most common situations where a background check is requested.

Employment. On any job application or interview process you will be notified if they are going to perform a background check. Most companies do for each employee, no matter what the position. They do this to mostly check for crimes against previous employers or moral crimes, such as stealing, to see if you are a potential threat to their assets. If you are being hired for a driving position, your driving record is going to be looked at closely to see if you have any serious motor vehicle offenses.

Volunteering With Children. When it comes to volunteering, you won’t always think that they would need to perform a background check. Well, they may be the case for some things, but when it comes to working with children, everyone gets a background check. This is true even if it’s a volunteering position. As children are vulnerable, parents and organizations need to know that their children are going to be in safe hands.

Buying a Business. When purchasing somebody else’s business, requesting a complete background check is all a part of due diligence. You want to see if this person has any businesses prior or currently, and if anything went wrong in their dealings. Also getting a background check on the business itself to look at investment in charges against the company itself. When making an investment, like buying a business, you need to be fully aware of everything in the history of what you are purchasing.

Court Research. When involved in a court case, it is likely that the lawyers will do a background check on anyone involved in the case. This is done to see if they can gather more evidence against the convicted party as a means of proof that it is in their character to do a similar or relatable crime. This reflects on the creditability of the defendant by looking at their past history.

A background check can be requested by anybody for any reason, but since they cost a few dollars, people generally have a reason to look up a person’s record. This is a general list of the main reasons why people get background checks, but it certainly isn’t an all-inclusive list. They are used to protect a person, people, or a business by bringing all things into a light to make an informed decision.

Free Consultation

Use the form below to send Attorney Mark Herman an email about your case.