The capital of the country and the location of the center of the political system is Washington, D.C. Every day, significant decisions that have an impact on all of the US citizen’s lives are made everywhere from the White House to the halls of Congress. In order to keep the country strong and protected, the work done in the city involves handling sensitive and, in some cases, classified and confidential information. Let’s take a look at how a District of Colombia background is done.

Before receiving the necessary clearances or authorizations to work with government agencies or those businesses that support the work of the city, job applicants in Washington, D.C. typically have to submit to thorough background checks. A background check will access the public records that reveal a person’s criminal and civil history and make sure that the background is appropriate for the kind of employment opportunity they are looking for.

Washington, D.C. Public Records Laws

Anyone has the right to request access to other people’s publicly accessible records. In accordance with sections 2-531-539 of the District of Columbia Code, this right is granted by the FOIA. A formal request may be made online via the Public FOIA Portal of the DC government. Although requests can also be made by mail, fax, or email, they are processed more quickly online.

Documents pertaining to law enforcement operations, those protected by the attorney-client and work-product privileges, as well as other records that must be kept secret by law, may not be made available through a FOIA request. Section 2-534 of the D.C. Code contains a complete list of exempt documents.

Although it is not specifically prohibited by DC law, inquiries into arrests or convictions on job applications are generally prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).

Criminal Records Background Check

The DC Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Superior Court hold certain types of criminal records, which employers can obtain and use for any reason, including employment screening. According to this statute, the DC Metropolitan Police Department may provide information about an applicant’s or employee’s arrest history:

• at the expense of the employer.
• with the notarized consent of the employee or applicant.

Only convictions and collateral forfeitures that happened within ten years of the date the records were requested may be listed in these arrest records.

An employer can use the court clerk’s computers to conduct a free computer search for an employee or applicant record or pay a small fee to request the data directly from the court clerk for records held by the DC Superior Court.

Employers have the right to look through adult arrest records for crimes committed within the last ten years that ended in conviction or collateral forfeiture. Unapproved Investigation an employer is not permitted to:

• juvenile history.
• Records of alleged crimes which did not lead to a conviction or collateral forfeiture.
• crimes that did not take place in the last ten years

Other Restrictions Employees can lie about having criminal records related to illegal drugs that have been expunged without consequences.

Police Clearances (Arrest and Criminal History Section)

The public can obtain police clearances from the Arrest and Criminal History Section for many of the following purposes: employment, licensing, adoption, apartment rental, hacking (taxicabs), or FL-20 for international or domestic travel.

At least 95% of the customers they serve at their counters for public services are looking for a police clearance. If you have a criminal record, you might have to wait a little longer than other people.

You must complete a PD Form 70 (Criminal History Request) for a record check in order to obtain a clearance. You can obtain this form by going to the Arrest and Criminal History Section, which is located on the first floor of Police Headquarters. The majority of requests will be processed in about 24 hours.

Mandatory Background Checks for Health Workers

In general, an application cannot ask about arrests. Employment is not generally prohibited. An unlicensed person who has been convicted within the last seven years in the US of any of the following offenses, or their equivalent in another state or territory, is not permitted to work for or be employed by a healthcare facility or provider.

• Manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, or murder.
• assault, battery, battery and assault, use of a dangerous weapon in the assault, mayhem, or threats of bodily harm.
• Fraud, theft, falsification, extortion, or blackmail.
• illegal firearm use or possession.
• sexual abuse, rape, sexual battery, or assault.
• child maltreatment or child abuse.
• illegal distribution of a controlled substance or possession with the intent to distribute one.

If an employee’s name appears on the Nurse Aide Abuse Registry, they will also be prohibited from working.

Mandatory Background Checks for Childcare Providers

In general, an application cannot ask about arrests. Employment is not generally prohibited. An applicant is ineligible for employment with a provider of child or youth services if, in relation to any sexual offense involving a minor:

• been found guilty.
• No contest, please.
• been put on probation while awaiting a decision.
• a verdict of not guilty based on insanity.
• an active case on the docket.

By following these tips, you can conduct an efficient District of Colombia background check with ease. Find out if the person you are looking up is who they say they are.