Learn More About Michigan Background Records

The Michigan background records that include criminal records like arrest details, records of charges and subsequent convictions related to serious crimes within the state boundaries are maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center or the CJIC. The information that features in the records is forwarded to the authorities that maintain this state repository of records by the local courts, prosecutors and also the local law enforcement agencies.

Michigan Background Checks

The Michigan background checks can be made by searching through this database. Searches can be made on the basis of names of the subject of search. Accurate results can be obtained if the records are matched on the basis of the available fingerprint records. A fingerprint search can only be made on the basis of a federal or state statute and an executive order. Michigan background records, pertaining to criminal activities, store data like personal identifiers, the charges imposed against the subject of the search and other details related to felony or misdemeanor convictions.

The prisons, the courts and the local law enforcement bodies in the state are ordered by law to forward all the information to the Michigan Criminal Justice Information Center whenever an individual is sentenced to prison for a period of more than 92 days. The arrest details and the fingerprint records in such cases need to be forwarded immediately to the state repository. The records also feature an account of the misdemeanor offenses along with the fingerprint records where a person faces conviction for an offense, the penalty for which comes down to imprisonment coupled with the imposition of fines that are worth $100 or more.

A Michigan background check pertaining to criminal records can be accessed by one and all. The search somewhat limited being confined to the state only and therefore you cannot do a background check of a person residing in another state. The national criminal records are also not accessible to the residents of the state. However, if you are looking for warrant information, you are unlikely to find any as these are not available for public dissemination.

While doing a Michigan background check, you may find the statement “no record meeting dissemination criteria”; this implies that the individual record that you are searching for does not exist. On the other hand, the appearance of a record after a name search can be taken to be indicative of the fact that a criminal record exists for the subject of the search. However, name search results cannot be taken as final as there are chances of two people sharing the same name or other personal details. The decisions that are taken on the basis of these results should be withheld till the time the individual for whom the search has been conducted verifies the result.  Concrete results or the ones that can be taken to be definite pointers to one’s criminal records can only be obtained after a fingerprint match.

Internet Criminal History Tool

The Michigan law enforcement authorities enable the residents of the state to do a Michigan background check with the help of the tool called ICHAT. If you are a member of a non-profit organization, you can search for these records without having to pay the requisite fee. It becomes all the more necessary to employ responsible individuals in positions such as caregivers or people who are in charge of taking care of the old, the kids or even the physically disabled ones. They are more at risk as they cannot defend themselves in case of an uncalled for incident. For these purposes, the Michigan State Police has offered the services of the ICHAT or the Internet Criminal History Tool to enable prompt access to individual criminal records. ICHAT can be accessed by one and all. The fee for each search is $10 and is exempted for  individuals belonging to non-profitable organization. You can access the tool right away from http://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Home.aspx. In case of further queries you can direct a mail to msp-crd-ichathelp@michigan.gov.

The first time users of ICHAT need to make a registration on the website, no matter whether you are doing the search for yourself, on behalf of your organization or as a member of a non-profit group. While making a search you need to enter the complete description of the subject of search, including his or her full name, race, sex and date of birth. As soon as you click on the search option, you will be navigated on to a page that displays the entry with physical pointers, details of the crime committed, and conviction data. You will only be able to trace the convictions that took place in the state of Michigan. These records do not include the driving records of Michigan residents.

Reporting Inappropriate Access to Michigan Background Records

If you discover that someone has inappropriately accessed the Michigan criminal history records, then you can report the same at once to the concerned authorities. You can send a mail to bushce@michigan.gov or fax at 517 636 4546. You can also write to the Commander, Criminal Records Division, 106 W. Allegan, Lansing, MI-48933.

You need to provide some crucial information in this respect concerning the kind of records that were accessed, the personal details of the offender, reasons behind the records been obtained in such fashion and the date and place where the incident took place.

When it comes to background checks for the purpose of licensing or employment, a fingerprint match becomes mandatory. In such a case a Live Scan form needs to be obtained either from the licensing agency or your potential employer. You need to take an appointment of the Live Scan vendor by calling 1 866 226 2952. You can expect a result within seven business days. In case of any further query, you can call 517 322 1956 or even send a fax to 517 322 0635. You can also send a mail to msp-crd-applhelp@michigan.gov.