Types of Criminal Background Checks
At KRESS Inc., we offer various criminal background check services to cater to our client's specific needs and requirements. These include:
County Civil Record Search
The County Court Record Search is a check used to determine any civil actions filed by/against the candidate. Court records are obtained from the county courthouses. All records include the date of filing, suit description, disposition date, entire disposition, and identifiers used to locate the case.
County Criminal History Record Search
County Criminal Record Searches are available in more than 3,000 felony and misdemeanor courts throughout the United States.
They are conducted in superior, upper, lower, and/or municipal court records and are publicly available. These criminal record searches determine if an applicant/employee has a felony and/or misdemeanor or pending criminal cases in the court being researched.
Completed reports consist of only legally reportable information, typically including the date of arrest, date of filing, charges, level of charges, disposition date, final disposition of charges, and any applicable sentence or penalty.
Federal Civil Record Search
The Federal Civil Record Search is a check to determine any civil actions filed by/against the candidate.
All federal court records include the date of filing, suit description, disposition date, entire disposition, and identifiers used to locate the case. The country has 94 federal judicial districts, including at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Federal records do not appear in county record information.
Federal Criminal Record Search
The Federal Criminal Record Search includes activity tried in Federal District Courts that typically involves violations of the Constitution or other federal law.
Such crimes include interstate drug trafficking, arms violations, immigration violations, fraud, and other federal statute violations. There are 94 federal judicial districts throughout the country, including at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Federal records do not appear in county or state record information.
Global Watch Search
The Global Watch Search is an instant tool that cross-references your candidate’s name against over 130 known terrorist and fugitive databases worldwide that include prohibited parties considered a threat to global and national security.
A prohibited party is defined as “specially designated nationals, terrorists, narcotics traffickers, blocked persons and vessels and parties subject to various economic sanctioned programs who are forbidden from conducting business in the United States, as well as entities subject to license requirements because of their proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
This search is commonly used to identify persons deemed as a threat by the United States, to identify any risks or associations that may deem an applicant dangerous, or for Patriot Act Compliance.
National Criminal Search Index (NCSI)
The National Criminal Search Index is an aggregate database search of over 300 million records from various sources throughout the United States based on name and date of birth information.
Vendors compile these records from different data sources, and they are often incomplete. We recommend using this search in conjunction with the County Criminal Record Search. Results can include arrest information, convictions, and sentencing details. Download the NCSI Source List.
International Background Checks
KRESS has more than 30 years of experience with the laws and terminology of different states, provinces, and countries. KRESS was one of a select few screening providers for the Basic Pilot Program to work with the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security because of our reputation and skill at protecting confidential information across states and international borders.
All international searches are performed in accordance with the European Union and Global Information Exchange privacy rights, following the proper local protocols in each country searched. We can provide Criminal Record Searches in over 200 countries.
Download the International Turnaround Time sheet for details on available countries, the scope of search available, and the expected turnaround time of each location.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry Search, which contains listings of more than 800,000 registered sex offenders, is compiled from violent and sex offender registries in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, which contains listings of more than 800,000 registered sex offenders.
While data or types of crimes listed in the registry vary by state, the registry consists of criminal offenses such as sexually violent offenses, sexual offenses, misconduct with a minor, production of child pornography, etc.
The Sex Offender Registry Search is valuable because it identifies a group with a disposition for repeating similar crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice identified that the recidivism rate for sex crimes is four times higher than for other crimes.
In addition, this search provides companies with increased visibility into a job applicant’s history. Even though a sex offense may not appear on a person’s record because of time elapsed, they may still be listed on the registry. Please note there are state-specific laws regarding the use of the Sex Offender Registry for employment purposes. Check with your state before using this information to make a hiring decision.
Statewide Criminal Record Search
The Statewide Criminal Record Search databases cast a wider net on determining if your candidate has a criminal record, but users are encouraged to use this search in conjunction with a County Criminal Record Search. Results can include arrest information, convictions, and sentencing details.
Compliance and Legal Considerations
Navigating the legalities around employment background checks can be a complex task. There are specific laws and regulations are in place to protect the rights of applicants and employees. These include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, and state-specific laws.
Employers must ensure that their background check policies and practices comply with these laws to avoid potential litigation. At KRESS, we are committed to staying up-to-date with all compliance regulations and providing our clients with legally compliant background check services.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The FCRA regulates how consumer reporting agencies can collect, use, and disseminate personal information. Employers must comply with FCRA guidelines when running background checks on employees or applicants.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidelines
The EEOC guidelines ensure that employers do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on their protected characteristics, such as race, gender, religion, or national origin. It's crucial for employers to follow these guidelines to avoid violating anti-discrimination laws.
State-specific Laws
In addition to federal laws, employers must also consider state-specific laws when conducting background checks. Several states have additional regulations and restrictions on the use of criminal records in employment decisions.
