What will show up on my Texas Criminal Background Check and History?

The Internet has revolutionized methods by which employers can review potential candidates for a job.   With the simple click of a button, HR departments and employers can see your prior criminal history. In Texas, where jobs are hard to come by as it is, a criminal offense on your background check will most likely put you behind other candidates -- even less qualified ones.  It could even terminate your chances of being hired at all.

So what shows up on your Texas Background check?  The answer is not as simple as you might think.  First, it depends on who is running the background check, and where the information is coming from.

DPS and State Agencies.  DPS is the central storage center for all convictions and arrests in Texas.  Courts forward case information to them, and the, DPS sells the criminal information to third parties, which are typically Online Background Check businesses.  Yup, that's right: DPS is making money from criminal history data.  This database used to include Class C tickets as well, since they are technically (and still quite officially) Misdemeanor criminal offenses.  At the time of this writing, it seems DPS is no longer tracking Class C's, although that information still might be available through some of the other businesses or agencies below.

Internet Background Check sites.  Some possible employers or landlords (or colleges) use specific criminal history and background check companies, the majority of which are online.  One of the most popular is Intelius.com, where basically anyone can sign up and view criminal background history.

So what shows up on your criminal record (or a friend, co worker, etc...)?  The best way to determine that is to run your own check.  Many online sites can do a quick, instant search for just a couple dollars.  There are even sites that offer coupon codes for leading background check companies: for instance, try http://www.criminalbackgrounddetective.com/coupons-codes.php.

Otherwise, you can check with DPS, although they will require fingerprints and payment of close to $30 for the most complete background check.  You can find more information about that background check service at: http://www.lawofficeofrobertkeates.com/criminaldefense/expunge.php.

Expunctions, and Clearing your Record.  The most important reason to check your record is to see what  employers will see, and IF an offense shows up, DO something about it.  Whether your case is eligible for an Expunction, NonDisclosure, or Pardon, there are ways to clear and seal the offense from the public.  for more information, please visit: http://www.lawofficeofrobertkeates.com/expunctions/expunction.php