Criminal Background Checks

[wagionvigil]

They just swipe your license through a machine enter your ssn and there is your license. All printed out for you. Got mine at Walmart. The manager told me that they think hunting will be done the same way.

[Cowboy]

In the Midwest it really is not a big expense. Wisconsin has it online, anyone at anytime can go online and do a criminal background check for free (for WI crimes). Minnesota charges a yearly fee for use of the site of about $20, and I believe Illinois is about the same. It has come in very handy (the WI site) as a potential employer in a sensitive field. Wisconsin (I think all states now have it in place, but may be wrong) has a specific sex crimes site. Punch in your zip code and a range, ie. 50 miles, and it shows every registered sex offender, nature of the crime, specific address, and usually a picture so that they can not use a different name. Unfortunately, as the YPT points out, you can only exclude those who have been caught, there is no way to know who has not yet been caught or who has not yet committed a crime.

[mt_goodrich]

Unfortunately, as the YPT points out, you can only exclude those who have been caught, there is no way to know who has not yet been caught or who has not yet committed a crime.

Very true.

[fritz1255]

The website where you can find out about registered sex offenders in your area is called the Megan's law site, and should be accessible through the State Police website in your state. I would urge everyone to access the website to check for offenders in your area. What you will likely find, however, is that there are only a handful of offenders listed in your area, way less than the statistics on child sexual abuse would lead you to expect. I have to assume that most have never been caught or formally charged. Always follow two-deep leadership and be vigilant.

[Cowboy]

Also: Most of the "Megans Law" type sites only list those who are required to register (violent sex crime). We found that there is usually a Judge, DA, Police Cheif or other law enforcement officer who has access and authority to run these checks. Very few Troops will not have an association with one of these individuals.

[Rob]

It is surely a sad day in Scouting that one of our main topics of discussion is to inform a lot of excellent people in Scouting about CBC. I am so glad that I became an Eagle Scout during the 60's when CBC meant Canadian Basketball Club.

[mt_goodrich]

Also: Most of the "Megans Law" type sites only list those who are required to register (violent sex crime). We found that there is usually a Judge, DA, Police Cheif or other law enforcement officer who has access and authority to run these checks. Very few Troops will not have an association with one of these individuals.

My employer is now responsible for enforcement of responsible for investigating sex offender registration violations and related offenses in connection with violations of the Adam
Walsh Act (AWA). http://www.usmarshals.gov/duties/factsheets/soib.pdf