Pre Employment Screening > Criminal Background Checks > State Criminal Records Search

State Criminal Records Search

Prior to hiring an employee or approving a prospective tenant's application, you can use a state criminal background check to protect your interests. Each state offers access to its court records going back a different number of years. In addition to the length of the database, the information made available to the public differs.

Businesses or individuals who want to search criminal records in Washington, D.C., for example, can gather information maintained by the Department of Corrections going back to 1999. In Alabama, you can only find information dating back to 2004. In New York, the Department of Corrections background database goes as far back as 1990 and is updated every quarter.

Supplement State Criminal Background Checks with Federal and County Records

Though a state criminal background check can furnish you with information on probation, parole, and convictions, that is not necessarily a complete report of illegal activity. Federal crime reports will include information on activities like drug trafficking and embezzling. You can also gather civil information from the county level as well as information on crimes. Using a combination of these files, you can get a more complete picture of your applicant and make a better hiring decision.

Reports of illegal activity are one facet of a comprehensive inquiry into someone's past

. You can also check into an applicant's credit and driving history and verify claims about employment, credentials, and education. Nation Search offers different combinations of inquiry services. You can select one of its tiers or opt for a custom package.