Discovering Previous Convictions Of An Individual

[Mossycat]

(Quick Note To Mods..........This is PPC related, I don't want to reveal the reason why I am asking the question or give too much away that it would tip my hand because I know that some PPC's do read these forums, but I am hoping to pick the brains of some of our more knowlegeable contributors)

 

Is there a way for a member of the public to find out about previous convictions if they know the Court and the name and address of the person involved.

 

My reasoning is it must be information that is somewhere 'in the public domain' because as a member of the public I could have attended Court that day and learned the outcome, but since I wasn't aware of the case I didn't go.

 

Any pointers or tips would be appreciated

 

Mossy

[postggj]

the only thing i can think of is trawling through the court reports of the local papers

i believe these are micro and are avalible at the local libary

very tediouse though

hope you have lots of time

[Mossycat]

Yeah I tried that, no luck

 

Thanks anyway

 

Mossy

[WebFerret]

How do employers check previous convictions? - must be some system one can use!

[lamma]

civil court or criminal ?

[Mossycat]

Hi lamma was hoping you might pick this thread up.

 

Criminal (I know the Court it would have been dealt with, I know the full name and address of the individual and I know a rough date).

 

I'm a private individual (ie member of the public).

 

Is there a way?

 

Cheers

 

Mossy

[Mossycat]

How do employers check previous convictions? - must be some system one can use!

 

Employees do it via a CRB check (standard or enhanced depending on what the job involves), these can only be authorised by the actual individual. Likewise a DP1 (Subject access) is only available to the individual it concerns.

 

Since I am not an employer and this person is not my employee I cannot use that.

 

Mossy

[lamma]

for free don't know a way unless you are inside law enforcement/HMG. I bet there are companies who will undertake this for a fee.

[Mossycat]

Yeah I found a few sites that do it for a fee, but you don't get the report until you pay and if it's not the right individual it's money wasted. I don't mind paying the fee if the data is for the correct person.

 

I was hoping someone would say 'Yes Mossy go to the Court-house and ask for the records room and sit and trawl through all the cases and verdicts in date order'. Guess Not then?

 

Thanks anyway

 

Mossy

[patdavies]

Yeah I found a few sites that do it for a fee, but you don't get the report until you pay and if it's not the right individual it's money wasted. I don't mind paying the fee if the data is for the correct person.

 

I was hoping someone would say 'Yes Mossy go to the Court-house and ask for the records room and sit and trawl through all the cases and verdicts in date order'. Guess Not then?

 

Thanks anyway

 

Mossy

 

There is no reason why not. Court records are public documents (however, this does not apply to youth convictions/records).

 

I am, however, unsure of the procedure. i would suggest contacting a Court (probably not the Court concerned at this stage:p) and inquiring as to the process.

[Mossycat]

Thanks Pat, the individual is NOT a youth, in fact he is the owner of a rather dubious Company.

 

I'll pay a visit to a Court and see what they say

 

Thanks

 

Mossy

[lamma]

maybe email the CRB as well ? (as to procedure).

[Mossycat]

maybe email the CRB as well ? (as to procedure).

 

I knew I could depend on you to come up with a suggestion I hadn't thought of.

 

Cheers

 

Mossy

[sameagle]

A long shot, perhaps, but have you tried "Googling" the persons name?

I was curious about a man who owns a lot of properties which he rents out - most are "run down" places.

I found that he had two convictions for not having Gas Appliances examined in rented properties.

The cases were brought by Trading Standards, and were reported by them on the Internet.

Worth a go, perhaps?

 

Sameagle

[Mossycat]

Thanks sameagle I tried that first off, no joy though.

 

Cheers anyway

 

Mossy

[letsmakeamark]

You can try the freedom of information act though. you could get this from any police station as this is public information. For this you need to know of the persons dob,date of hearing and things like that.

[patdavies]

You can try the freedom of information act though. you could get this from any police station as this is public information. For this you need to know of the persons dob,date of hearing and things like that.

 

The Police will not hold the required information except on the PNC - and an FoI request is not going to get you near that.

 

The records will be held by HMCS, not the Police

[Rob S]

The problem may be relating to how accessible HMCS court records are. I would assume they are now computerised these days, but I am unsure if there is a way for them to search on an individuals name.