In Custody Hearings across our country it is NOT required that the judge be knowlegeable of both the mother nor the father's criminal background before deciding which parent is in the best interest of the minor child.
If someone committed a crime a judge would have access to these things for the purpose of properly sentencing a criminal for thier crimes.
But in the case of placing an INNOCENT child who has commited no crime whatsoever there is no knowledge required other than facts that either party can provide.
It is not possible for the everday citizen to be as knowledgeable of these things as our courts are.
for that reason and many more reasons, I believe that it is the courts responsibility to be prepared to make an informed desicion