Is it weird to look up a potential partners (especially one I have met online) criminal record?

“Weird” is a weird word which is oft weirdly wielded at whomever without a whit of wisdom.

It’s a very subjective and often meaningless word.

Wisconsin seems to think you’re allowed to do that. Even to whomever you want, it sounds like. It sounds like Wisconsin even makes it especially easy.

I think it’s legal to look up criminal records for just about anyone in the USA, anyway. Just not quite as easy everywhere.

I’m sure looking up people’s public records must be much more common now than it used to be, now that there are so many ways to do that. And companies offering it as a service get more exposure from the Internet. Type a number into a search engine, and one often sees suggestions from businesses who would like to look up information about people related to that number. Not to mention that search engines themselves will also do that.

Anyway, in current modern society, I expect it’s pretty common for people to search for info about people they’re curious about, including criminal records.

On the other hand, it can be perhaps preferable if we aren’t doing that sort of thing until/unless we feel like we have a good reason to. For some people, potential partners may sometimes, or maybe always, qualify for that treatment.

Though sometimes the info isn’t accurate, isn’t the same person, or even an actual legal record for the right person might tell a misleading story. Some people on sex offender registries are there for roadside urination. Some people have atrocious things written about them on the web, because someone else got mad at them and posted lies. Etc.

I am aware that one of the first things most women do, after meeting a guy, is check his social media.
As for criminal investigation, I would think that would be part of that internet investigation of the person.

Such things ARE public knowledge.

I think it’s smart, for women especially, to research men whom they are potentially going to date.
I also think there’s a big difference between searching public information, and actually going through someone’s phone, or spying on them.

You seem aware, that you already dodged one bullet…

I absolutely agree with @Zaku here as well. At least in regards to taking information you find with a grain of salt.

This type of vetting process, could inadvertently trigger you to ghost someone who may make your life richer.
That being said, convictions, jail or prison terms, and ESPECIALLY drug related crimes, should be red flags.
Intravenous drug users, for instance, should be automatically dismissed. The likelihood of them carrying any number of STDs, hepatitis, HIV, etc.

If your relationship is serious, you should discuss it with them and look it up together. If you aren’t far enough along to do this, what is the point?

Nothing weird about it these days. Too many weirdos out there.

^^Agreed Wulf. If the guy had a conviction for a violent crime, it would be nice to know before going somewhere alone with him.
There are a LOT of men out there, without felonies. Even with felonies, if they were nonviolent, it’s a huge difference.
SQ, is wisely being proactive in this case. That’s my opinion.