Has Someone Important in Your Life Done Time? You Need to Know.

You might feel like you're floating on Cloud 9 with a new love in your life, but how much do you really know about them? Could they be hiding a criminal past behind that debonair smile? Before inviting someone new into your life -- or more importantly your children's lives -- consider running a criminal background check.

Risks and Realities

You might not get that "bad guy" vibe from your latest love, but you wouldn't be the first to be misled. Did you know that as of 2008, "over 7.3 million people were under some form of correctional supervision" according to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics?

That means more than 2 out of every 100 people in the U.S. (based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 estimate of over 307 million residents) have been in state or federal prisons, local jails, on parole, or on probation.

Scary, isn't it? You might pass several hundred people every single day on a city street. How many criminals have you bumped into without even realizing it? Could you be bringing one of them home to your family unknowingly? It's time to find out!

What Criminal Background Checks Can Teach You

One quick criminal background check can tell you a lot about a person. Better yet, there's no need to contact a lawyer or investigator. You can run an affordable criminal background check online! Here are just a few of the things you might learn about your new love interest:

• Find out if they have a history of reckless behavior with a DUI or charges of other kinds of disorderly conduct.
• Discover if they have a history of violent behavior, and protect yourself and your children.
• Find out if he or she is involved with a current law suit.
• Check their driving history before letting them drive your kids around.
• If you have a lot of assets, find out if your new amour has a history of fraudulent behavior before being taken advantage of.
• And more.

Trust is a great thing, but peace of mind is even better. If you have any reason to doubt your new partner, get that peace of mind with a criminal background check. Whether you choose to hire a professional or use an online criminal background check service, you can rest easier knowing your partner has nothing to hide.

Criminal Background Checks: Beyond the Bedroom

Getting a criminal background check on your new lover makes sense. But they can be just as useful in a number of other situations. Here are some additional circumstances where you might want to consider getting a criminal background check on someone:

• You're looking to hire a new employee who will deal with your business' inventory, cash, or financial records.
• You're employing a new caretaker for your children.
• You're considering renting a part of your home, or a separate unit, to someone.
• You're concerned about someone involved in your child's life (like their own new romantic partner).

Criminal background checks keep you safe and secure and make sure you aren't manipulated by every charmer that comes along. If you're feeling unsure about anyone new in your life, consider conducting a criminal background check today. You know the old saying -- better safe than sorry.