Legal Question in Criminal Law in Georgia

Criminal Background Check

I will have to renew my certificate for my state professioal teaching license in June. At this time I will be required to be finger printed and criminal background check will be done by the county Board of Education.

About 25 - 30 years ago I had a check turned into the county sheriff's office for collection. I had to go to the court house and make restitution. Since it was so long ago I do not remember any of the details but do remember that my grandfather either had to go with me or did go with me to take care of the check and fine. I was not arrested or fingerprinted but I am very worried that this will show up on my record . I have a friend that said she had the same circumstances and it showed up on her record but was in another county. I do not know if she was actually arrested or if it even really happened.

Do I have need for concern? I have never been finger printed or arrested but am really concerned about this in my past. Can you offer any advice?

Thanks


Asked on 12/29/04, 5:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jim Hough Thomas J. Hough, Jr., P.C.

Re: Criminal Background Check

You can access a copy of your criminal record by going to the records and id division of your local sheriff's office. There is a form to fill out and a small fee required to conduct the search. It will provide you with the same record that the Board of Education will get. In this way you can know for sure if you have a problem. Doing it early may allow you time to address any potential problem. If this is a renewal, didn't the same check of your records already occur?

You shouldn't have a problem. Likely, the case was never formally charged.

Good Luck,

Jim Hough

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Answered on 12/30/04, 10:10 am


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