Until fairly recently, the general public was able to decide who they allowed to run credit and criminal record checks on themselves. Modern technology has, unfortunately, changed this. State court records are considered public records in many instances, and many states have now made it incredibly simple to find out the details of most court cases. Public records are now available via the internet in many states, turning what once required a visit to the courthouse into a simple internet search.

Anyone with internet access can find out if their state offers a search for state court records online. For those that do, checking up on someone you know is as easy as typing in their first and last name. Some states post case information regarding criminal trials, traffic tickets, child support cases, and even civil disputes (and their results) online for anyone to see.

Since this offers a way for one to investigate people they know anonymously, it also means your business is no longer your business. Friends, family, coworkers, and even someone you've just started dating are now able to see that ticket you got for speeding, or the amount you owe to a certain credit card company.

Not all state court records are public knowledge, however. Generally, immigration records, military records, juvenile case records and FBI criminal records are some of the different situations where the case information will not be made available to the public.

States also vary in how much detail will be available about the cases posted online. While some states only include basic information, others will go so far as to include the minute entries, specific charge(s), rulings, and possibly even sentencing information. When dealing with sexual predators, every state has a database where you can search for known sex offenders within your area, in an effort to make the public more aware of whom these people are.

Although checking on your friends, family, and maybe even coworkers or employers might be entertaining to some, try to consider whether you would want them checking on your history in return. Eliminating the need to head over to the court house to search for records has dramatically increased the likelihood of someone you know searching state court records for your name.

What will they find? How would that make you feel? After considering these things, you may just agree that it's best to honor the privacy of others, rather than go looking for something to laugh about at their expense.