In the U.S., criminal records are maintained at various levels—county, state, national, and federal—each serving a distinct purpose in the background screening process.
🏛️ County Background Checks
County courts handle the majority of criminal cases, making county background checks the most detailed and up-to-date source for local offenses. These checks cover:
Misdemeanors and Felonies: Such as theft, assault, or drug offenses.
Local Jurisdiction: Records specific to the county where the offense occurred.
Since not all counties report to state or national databases promptly, county checks are essential for the most accurate information.
🗺️ State Background Checks
State background checks compile records from various counties within a state. However, their comprehensiveness depends on:
State Reporting Practices: Some states may not have centralized databases.
Timeliness: Delays in county reporting can lead to incomplete state records.
It is important to note that not all states have a Statewide search. These checks are useful but may not capture all county-level offenses.
🌐 National Background Checks
National checks search multiple databases across the country, offering a broad overview. They include:
Multi-State Criminal Databases: Aggregated records from various sources.
Sex Offender Registries: National listings of registered offenders.
While they provide a wide net, national checks may miss recent or unreported county-level offenses.
🏛️ Federal Background Checks
Federal checks focus on crimes prosecuted under federal law, separate from state or local jurisdictions. These include:
White-Collar Crimes: Embezzlement, fraud, or insider trading.
Interstate Offenses: Crimes crossing state lines, like trafficking.
Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the appropriate background checks for your hiring needs. For a more detailed exploration, you can read the full article here:County, State, National & Federal Background Checks: Where They DifferYardstik