Western Reporting Background Screening Services

Criminal Records Searches

Criminal background screening can be a difficult topic to understand and cause some confusion.  The Freedom of Information Act butts up against the Privacy Act leaving landlords and employers throwing their hands up in the air with frustration!  Western Reporting has highly trained customer service representatives on staff Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to answer any and all questions you may have about criminal coverage, jurisdictions, criminal charges, or adverse action.  Let us help you make a fully informed decision regarding your applicant.

Multi State (National) Instant Criminal Search - database

Criminal records which are considered "reportable" by the courts are records in which a conviction is dispositioned within the statute of limitations (typically 7 years for most offenses).  Dismissed, Plea in Abeyance, Pending, Deferred Adjudication are considered "non-reportable" by the courts and may or may not show up in this database criminal search. Specific coverage and limitations for each included jurisdiction are continually changing and available upon request.  At this printing 4 states do not contribute criminal records (other than sex/violent offender) to any database.  They include: Delaware, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Wyoming.

This database is compiled from counties, Department of Corrections (DOC), Administration of the Court (AOC), and state sex offender registries from across the country.  Also included in each search are national and international terrorism sources such as OFAC.  This search includes the National Sex & Violent Offender Database, and the National Security Database which is comprised of: Australian Reserve Bank Sanctions List; Bank of England Sanctions List; Debarred Parties List; Denied Persons List; European Union Terrorism Sanctions List; FDA List; Fugitive Lists- FBI Most Wanted, U.S. Marshals Most Wanted, Secret Service Most Wanted, and the DEA Fugitives list; Health and Human Services Exclusion List; Interpol Most Wanted; OFAC; Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); OFSI (Canadian Sanctions List); Palestinian Legislative Council List; United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List; US General Services Administration Excluded Parties List; World Bank Listing of Ineligible Individuals.

Single State Instant Search - database

This database is compiled from sources specific to the state ordered, Department of Corrections (DOC), Administration of the Court (AOC), and national sex offender registry.  Also included in each search are national and international terrorism sources such as OFAC.  This search includes the National Sex & Violent Offender Database, and the National Security Database which is comprised of: Australian Reserve Bank Sanctions List; Bank of England Sanctions List; Debarred Parties List; Denied Persons List; European Union Terrorism Sanctions List; FDA List; Fugitive Lists- FBI Most Wanted, U.S. Marshals Most Wanted, Secret Service Most Wanted, and the DEA Fugitives list; Health and Human Services Exclusion List; Interpol Most Wanted; OFAC; Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); OFSI (Canadian Sanctions List); Palestinian Legislative Council List; United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List; US General Services Administration Excluded Parties List; World Bank Listing of Ineligible Individuals.

Real Time non database (Colorado, Utah only)

A non database direct court search providing Misdemeanor, Felony and Criminal Traffic records are available for all Counties.  All Misdemeanor, Felony, and Criminal Traffic records available in the courts are reported.  In a criminal record that is "Past Statute" convictions only are reported.  Records date back 7 - 15 years.

County Search - Direct Court (non database) District Courts

Misdemeanor, Felony and Criminal Traffic records are available for all Counties and States.  Records typically date back 7 years but a 10 year history can be requested in most jurisdictions - a 10 year search will result in an additional fee and a longer turn around time.  Results are returned from the courts in 24 hours to 3 business days in most cases.

Federal Court Search Direct Court (non database) 

Federal Courts handle white collar crimes, high profile sex crimes and anything the FBI is involved in.  Records typically date back 7 years.  Federal Court records are separate and apart from District Court Records.  To obtain Federal Records a Federal search must be requested.  Federal Court Searches are recommended for pre employment reports when screening for executive positions and those where the handling of large amounts of money is involved.  Results are returned from the courts in 24 hours to 3 business days in most cases.

For employment use all database criminal searches must be used as a preliminary tool only.

** To be in compliance with FCRA regulations 604-3, 611-1-2, 614, 615**
Prior to any adverse being action is taken against the applicant, criminal records must be verified with a direct court (county) search and the applicant must be notified regarding the source of the information, and his rights under the law.  Pre Adverse Condition and Adverse Condition Letters are available through Western Reporting.

We welcome you to give Western Reporting a try!