New app puts criminal records at finger tips

A new mobile app released Oct. 24 gives Pennsylvania residents the ability to perform background checks from any smartphone statewide.

Docket In Your Pocket (DYP), which is available for Android devices and iPhones, sells for $2.99 and allows users to search by name through a database of 32.5 million court records dating from 2000, ranging anywhere from parking violations to murder.

Matt Haindfield, a lawyer from Iowa, invented Docket In Your Pocket. His original incentive for creating DYP was to check on a witness's questionable criminal record.

When he discovered that it was nearly impossible to navigate through court records on a mobile device, he researched other mobile options, but came up empty-handed. He then decided to create his own.

Since the Oct. 24 launch of the app, Haindfield has had his two young daughters in mind.

"I wanted to ensure that when they're living away from home or are out on the dating scene, they'll be better able to make informed decisions about the people they'll encounter," Haindfield said in a press release. "Knowledge is power, and more information means smarter choices."

Haindfield also explains why he started with Pennsylvania, instead of Iowa, his home state.

"We wanted a state with a large percentage of smartphone users and where there was an existing database of criminal records," Haindfield says. "Pennsylvania fit the bill."

Haindfield also recognizes other uses for the DYP app.

"I believe this app will be useful for singles, parents, students, law enforcement personnel, attorneys and anyone interested in learning about the criminal background of others," he said. "Our goal is to make the world a safer place to live and work."

Next on the horizon, Haindfield will be adding a similar product for civil records, such as divorce records.

Haindfield said he is gathering data from Pennsylvania's 67 counties and could complete that process in the next six months.

He plans to launch similar apps in each state over the next year, starting with other states with large populations of smartphone users and accessible court data, such as California, he said.

After that, he plans to release a "master app" that will search criminal records in all states, and possibly create similar software for other platforms in the future, such as a browser-based application, he said.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Haindfield and his wife funds the app, which costs about $600 a month for access to the criminal records, as well as other operating costs, meaning the app is currently not profitable.  

He may eventually require a subscription or develop an ad-supported "lite" version of the app, or both.

While Haindfield designed the app with attorneys in mind, the potential for the use of a college student doesn't go unnoticed.

Markowitz Communications, a Pittsburgh public relations agency, believes that between roommates, online dating, and social networking, there are a lot of reasons why a student could justify use for such a smartphone app.

"[It] puts friending people in a whole new light," said a Markowitz press release.

The overall reaction of Slippery Rock University students seems to be positive.

Nick Gordon, freshman computer science major, knew that it was only a matter of time before something like this came along.

"Knowing about a person's criminal history goes along with the freedom of information, people shouldn't be able to get away with hiding such major things from the public eye," Gordon said. "It shouldn't even be contested."

Public relations major Hannah McLaughlin pointed out that it could be a double-edged sword.

"Overall it's a good idea, especially for college students," McLaughlin said. "But it could also be a bad thing because people would make judgments based on minor infractions a person may have, without even getting to know them or letting them tell you on their own terms."

Saleena Gorman, sophomore emerging technology major, also sees it as a good thing.

 "It's a great way to make sure there aren't any sexual predators in your circle of friends," Gorman said. "[It's] an inexpensive detective at your fingertips."

Journalism major Kelsey Reese recognizes its positive and negative influences on society as a whole.

"It could allow you to make negative judgments of those who are or have existed in your life," Reese said.

"You might learn things about these people, such as a family member or close friend, that they never told you, and in turn, question their/your trust and honesty."