Inmate Jail Records in Other Counties
Other Records in Benton County
Jail Public Records Searches – How to Do Jail Records Searches
The best way to find out about jail records in Benton County is to conduct a public records search. Most people are aware that there are free public records directories such as the Iowa State Vital Statistics Office (ISVDO), which contain marriage and divorce records, as well as birth, death and cemetery records. However, these records do not include criminal records, arrest warrants, or court records. Jail records can be much more revealing when they include information such as the reasons for a person’s confinement, their legal status during the time of their confinement, or if they were in jail at the time of the incident.
These vital public records are maintained by each state’s Department of Health and Welfare. However, these records are considered official public information in many states unless they have been revised or otherwise covered under a privilege or other exception. Therefore, the free records directories are only available from the state government websites. Jail records will vary depending on the nature of your query, but will most likely still be fairly limited.
Criminal offenders are required to provide fingerprints when requesting a copy of their record. If they do not have the records, an agency called the Central Contractor Registration Bureau obtains them from the county sheriff. The fingerprints and other information are then placed into the state database.
Jail records searches will give you a lot of information. For instance, you can learn the date of confinement, the name of the person who committed the crime, their address, and the charges against them. This type of public records search will also reveal if they were convicted of a crime at all, or if they were given a sentence of life imprisonment, or even death penalty. It will tell you other pertinent details as well, such as any child custody and visitation orders, any outstanding warrants, and any sex offenses. It will even tell you if they were declared bankrupt or had to undergo alcohol rehabilitation.
The cost of jail records can vary greatly depending on where you go. You can purchase them from your local courthouse for a very reasonable price. Or you can pay a nominal fee online from a background records website. Many people feel more comfortable purchasing their jail records online because they can do it from their own home, and it’s safe and secure. However, this option does not give you access to all of the data. In order to get the complete picture, you will probably need to make a subscription with a background records website.
Jail public records searches are a very good way to gain peace of mind. Whether you are hiring someone to work in your home, are a parent looking to hire a child care provider, or just want to know if your teenager has a past history of drug use, jail records can give you peace of mind. You can also learn a lot more about the people around you through jail records. If you are applying for a job, are looking for insurance, or want to know if someone you know has a past history of crime, this may be an ideal way to find out.
