Function

• The primary function of criminal history screening is to ascertain how a person is to be sentenced for a crime. A person with a more extensive criminal history faces a stiffer sentence for a current crime.
  
  

Considerations

• In addition to indexing prior convictions, a criminal history screening for sentencing purposes also considers prior criminal charges.
  
  

Related Factors

• A criminal history screening generally includes a review of substance-abuse issues, family support and employment track record.
  
  

Benefits

• The most significant benefit of a criminal history screening is that a court is able to consider all relevant factors when it comes to sentencing a defendant in a criminal case.
  
  

Court Staff

• In most jurisdictions, a criminal history screening is undertaken by special officers of the court who normally are on the staff of the probation office.