Getting Things Done -Public Access To Court Records

by Steven Brownstein

"You can't do that."
I still hear those words.
Since 1989.
"Can't do that. Not there. It's not public access."
I didn't heed those words.
Instead, I became a pioneer in public record access.
Today we all agree it is a matter of fact - "can do that."
Why?
Because I trusted my ability.
I believed in the system.
I knew it could be done.
Now public access is being taught in universities.
Why?
Because it can be done.

The Real Deal Behind India's Criminal Record Searches

by Steven Brownstein
Criminal Records History Retrieval  - India
Briefly (we will use Bangalore, Karnataka as an example):
India is divided into states. Karnataka, as an example, is a state in India.  Karnataka is divided into Districts (similar to U.S. counties). Each District is comprised of cities, towns, and villages. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka and the seat of the District of Bangalore.
Criminal records are available to the public at many levels. At the end of this tutorial, we will explain the differences and benefits of each type of record search.
India Police and Record Keeping
Thare are several levels of police in India. From the bottom up:
Local police
City Police
District Police or State Police
National Police
Local Police Records
The most basic search is at the local police.
Each local police station keeps its own records.
They do not have direct access to city-wide records.
They report information to the City Police.
Note: Most local India researchers use the local police as their source of information.  Most researchers in India call by telephone directly to a local police station for search requests. There is no charge from the local police for this service. Turnaround times vary based on the availability of staff at that police station. They try to determine which police station to check by comparing addresses. One rather large problem incurred by India researchers is the accuracy of  the search as local maps are rarely available to pinpoint the correct local police station.
City Police Records
City Police keep records reported by all the local police stations in the city.
These records are available to the public.
For example, the Bangalore City Police charge Rs200 (about US$5) for a city wide search. Turnaround time is about two weeks. The results include all records for the city of Bangalore.
District or State Police Records
Every District has a State Police District Police Department. The District and State level police records are held by the State Police. These records are not available to the public except in some cases of foreigner arrests.
India Courts And Record Keeping
Each state has a similar court structure, i.e., a High Court, District Courts, and Magistrate Courts.
All court records are public unless sealed by the Court.
Cases heard at the District Court are comparable in the U.S. as felonies and serious misdemeanors.
The court records are computerised. The records are controlled by each state's High Court. The NIC (National Informatics Centre) based in New Delhi controls the computerisation of these records.
All state court records are centralized at the High Court. Computerisation has made this possible. Ideally, one could search all District and Magistrate Court cases at the State (High Court) level.
A previous court hardware glitch in the Court's computer system has made integration not possible at all High Courts so some District or Magistrate Courts need to be individually searched.
Comparison Between Police And Court Searches
The differences between police searches and court searches are glaring.
Local Police Record Check vs. Magistrate Court Search
Local police department searches focus on arrests made at that police station only.
The prosecution of cases from the local police are heard at a Magistrate Court or District Court.
Each Magistrate Court hears cases from several or more local police stations.
Therefore magistrate court cases cover a wider area than local police and are preferable.
City Police Record Check vs. Magistrate Court Search
City police department searches focus on arrests made in that city only.
Since magistrate courts cover only a slice of a city (or District) city police searches are favorable over a magistrate court search as they cover a wider area.
District Court Search vs. City Police Record Check
District Court cases cover all cities in the District. They would include all cases of the type most favorable to U.S. pre-employment screening standards.
District court cases cover a wider area than city police thereby making this the most preferred search (of all search types) barring future access to sate-wide or national records.

Scott Friedman As Keynote Speaker At 2011 NAPBS Annual Conference

Friedman, Scott     
Categories: Customer Service | Humor | Sales | Entrepreneurship
Bio: Scott Friedman is two-time past president of the Colorado Chapter of the National Speakers Association and has earned the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation by the National Speakers Association. He serves on its board of directors as president-elect.
After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology, Scott Friedman worked as.... More>>
This speaker's set fee places him/her within the range of: $7,500 and under
Travels From: Colorado

NAPBS Announces Slate Of Directors Nominees

The nominated individuals have been reviewed by the Nominations Committee and met the qualifications for their nominated positions. There are four regular director positions and one associate director position to be filled.
The slate will be voted on by primary regular and associate members during the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, March 20, 2011, in conjunction with the Annual Conference in Denver, CO.

Regular Member Directors
Angela Bosworth (2013)
OPENonline
Scott Hall (2013)
FirstPoint Information Resources
Don Owens (2013)
Prime Information Center Inc.
Melissa Sorenson (2013)
Verifications Inc.
Christine Cunneen (2012)
Hire Image
Dawn Standerwick (2012)
Applicant Insight

Associate Directors
Ben Peacock (2013)
Lighthouse Information Services LLC
Dean Carras (2012)
Innovative Enterprises Inc.

Straightline Provides Document Retrieval In Saipan And Guam

Steven Brownstein provides the fastest and the only local public record access service to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Based in Saipan, with easy access to Hagatna, Steven Brownstein provides all public record services through Straightline International (http://www.straightlineinternational.com/)
When you are ready to order your records search, public document, or filing service in Saipan or Guam contact Steven directly.
1-670-256-7000
1-866-909-6678
steveb@search4crime.com
info@straightlineinternational.com

Scotland Disclosure Warns UK Background Screening Companies About Processing Orders From The USA

Some UK screening firms may be violating Government Directives when performing online Basic Disclosures for USA pre-employment screening companies.

The Scotland Discosure Web Site is quite explicit:

"You can only apply online, if your current address is in the UK and if you have been living at this address for at least twelve months. If you do not satisfy these criteria, you will have to apply using a paper application form."
 
The Scotland Disclosure Website publishes this as a reminder to follow the Directive.

The rules can be found at;  http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/apply-online

New Puerto Rico Criminal Record Check

Straightline International introduces a new type of Puerto Rico international criminal record check.

After surveying multiple methods of obtaining Puerto Rico criminal record histories, Dennis Brownstein, Chief Operating Officer of Straightline International, has found a means that wil increase the hit ratio of your Puerto Rico criminal background search.

Combining several publicly availablecriminal data sources, including a name and social security number check, Straightline International offers the unveiling of the new 'XR2' service.

Hit ratios are shown to increase more than 3% rather than using the old standard means of court record search.

Dennis Brownstein says that although the standard name search will still be available for those customers who desire that type of search, he wil spend a good portion of this year educating and persuding pre-employment screening companies to make the switch over to the enhanced Puerto Rico criminal search, 'XR2'.

Contact Dennis Brownstein at 1-866-909-6678 for more information.

Steven Brownstein And The Creation Of NAPBS

by Les Rosen, ESR

The Chronology

2000: There is no national trade association, industry standards, or definitive publications on background screening. Steve Brownstein, Publisher of the Background Investigator, holds the first ever background check industry conferences in Long Beach, California and then larger events in Tampa, Florida. Employment Screening Resources (ESR) founder and President Lester Rosen is the keynote speaker at these first industry conferences.

2003: As a result of the Tampa conferences, momentum builds for a professional trade association for the background screening industry. ESR President Lester Rosen serves as the chairperson of the steering committee that founded the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®), a non-profit trade association representing the interests of background check companies, and serves as the first co-chair. NAPBS seeks to “…promote ethical business practices, promote compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and foster awareness of issues related to consumer protection and privacy rights within the background screening industry. The Association provides relevant programs and training aimed at empowering members to better serve clients and to maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry.”

Important Notice From Scotland Disclosure

There are many attempts by USA companies through UK screening firms to order online Basic Disclosures.

This is quite improper as The Scotland Discosure Web Site is quite explicit:

"You can only apply online, if your current address is in the UK and if you have been living at this address for at least twelve months. If you do not satisfy these criteria, you will have to apply using a paper application form."
  http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/apply-online

 Note:
 Straightline International always uses a paper application when performing Scotland Disclosures.  Do you?