Criminal Searches

A criminal background check reveals if your candidate has a past that could pose a risk in the workplace or to your customers. These searches involve checking various government records and databases to determine if a candidate has a criminal history, including felony or misdemeanor convictions, pending criminal cases, or incarceration records. A comprehensive criminal background check isn’t just one single search; it’s often a combination of searches at different jurisdictional levels. ScoutLogic searches national databases, federal criminal court records, state criminal repositories, and local county courthouse records. We also include specialized searches, such as the Sex Offender Registry and global watchlists, when appropriate.

Performing criminal background checks on prospective employees is a standard (and crucial) part of protecting your business, your employees, and the public.

Keep your workplace safe. Criminal checks help you screen out individuals who have demonstrated potentially dangerous behavior. This is especially critical for roles that involve interaction with vulnerable populations (such as children or the elderly), handling cash or valuables, or positions of trust. It only takes one incident to harm people and expose your company to serious liability.

Protect company assets and reputation. A history of crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, or theft could suggest that a candidate might put your assets at risk. Additionally, if it became known that your company hired someone with a serious criminal conviction (especially without conducting thorough checks), it could damage your reputation with clients and employees.

Maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Many industries are required by law to conduct criminal background checks. For example, healthcare organizations must screen employees to meet compliance standards (and often cannot employ individuals with certain convictions). Even when not legally mandated, following background check best practices can shield you from negligent hiring lawsuits.

ScoutLogic’s approach to criminal searches is both exhaustive and efficient, leveraging top-notch technology and human expertise.

All-Encompassing search capability. ScoutLogic has assembled best-in-class national, international, federal, state, and county-level criminal searches to cover every jurisdiction where a record could exist. Some providers might only do a so-called “national” database check and call it a day. Instead, we use the national criminal database as a broad net to catch potential records, but then we confirm details at the primary source. And our national source not only covers criminal jurisdiction data, but also sex offender sanctions and watchlists. If your candidate has lived abroad, we even have international criminal check options.

Emphasis on quality and accuracy. When a possible record is uncovered, our team verifies identifiers to ensure it matches your candidate’s provided information We then retrieve the actual court record details to give you the most up-to-date information with the court. We present the information in an easy-to-understand format, translating legal jargon if needed. Additionally, if a charge is unclear, we provide context.

Faster turnaround through smart workflows. Criminal checks can sometimes be slow if handled sequentially; however, ScoutLogic utilizes a parallel workflow and advanced technology to expedite this process. Thanks to our extensive network, many county searches are conducted electronically, with results available in minutes or hours. For counties that require manual courthouse work, we have court runners or digital access set up to retrieve records as quickly as the jurisdiction allows.

Integrated compliance support. ScoutLogic's reports are compliant with state and federal laws.  and we stay up-to-date with local "ban the box' and individualized assessment requirements to keep our customers informed. If there’s something that requires special handling, our system and team take care of it automatically. We can also provide you with template adverse action letters and guidance on the process if you decide not to hire based on a criminal record.

Continuous improvement and coverage expansion. The criminal justice landscape is constantly evolving, so ScoutLogic continually updates our search methods. We also respond to client needs, for example, if you require alias name checks, we can accommodate your request. Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve, so you can trust that you’re getting the most current and comprehensive search available.