A County Criminal Records Check (Current) reviews a candidate's criminal history in the county where they reside. This localized search is particularly valuable for ensuring accurate, up-to-date information. Here's why you might need it: 1. Access the Most Reliable Records • County courts are the primary source for criminal records, providing the most accurate and current information about charges, convictions, and case statuses. • National databases may have delays or incomplete information, while county checks provide real-time, verified results. 2. Focus on Relevant Jurisdictions • A candidate's current county of residence is where they are most likely to have recent legal interactions. Checking this jurisdiction ensures you're reviewing the most pertinent records. 3. Ensure Workplace Safety • This check helps identify candidates who may pose a safety risk due to recent criminal activity, ensuring a safer work environment for employees, clients, and customers. 4. Comply with Legal and Regulatory Requirements • Many industries, such as healthcare, education, finance, and transportation, require criminal history checks in the jurisdiction where the individual lives and works to meet compliance standards. 5. Reduce Liability Risks • Performing due diligence by verifying records in the candidate's current county minimizes the risk of negligent hiring and potential legal claims. 6. Gain Insight into Recent Behavior • Focusing on the current county gives you a clearer picture of the candidate's recent conduct and whether it aligns with your organization’s policies and values. 7. Complement Broader Background Checks • A county-level check ensures deeper accuracy when paired with broader checks, such as a national database or multi-county searches. Common Use Cases • Childcare and Education: Ensuring no recent offenses could endanger children or students. • Healthcare: Verifying that caregivers meet legal and ethical standards. • Financial Roles: Identifying potential fraud or theft convictions in the candidate's current location. • Transportation and Logistics: Screening for DUIs or other offenses in local jurisdictions.

A County Criminal Records Check (Current) focuses on the candidate's current county, providing detailed and accurate criminal history information. Here’s how it is typically conducted: 1. Collect Candidate Information • Accurate details are gathered to ensure proper identification during the search, including: o Full name (including aliases or maiden names) o Date of birth o Social Security Number (SSN) or other national ID o Current address 2. Identify the Current County • The candidate's address determines the relevant county for the search. This information is often cross-verified through: Address history from the candidate’s application or background screening system. o National databases to confirm recent or active residence in the county. 3. Access County Court Records • The employer or background screening provider contacts the relevant county court to access official records. County-level records typically include: o Arrests and charges o Misdemeanor and felony convictions o Pending cases o Sentencing and case outcomes • The records are often retrieved manually or through digital access, depending on the county's system. 4. Verify and Match Information • The candidate’s details (e.g., name, date of birth, SSN) are cross-checked against the records to ensure accuracy and avoid false positives. • Any discrepancies are resolved by verifying additional details, such as middle names or aliases. 5. Generate a Detailed Report • A report is created summarizing: The nature of any offenses (e.g., misdemeanors or felonies) o Dates of charges, arrests, or convictions o Case outcomes (e.g., guilty, dismissed, pending) o Sentencing details, if applicable • If no records are found, the report confirms a clean result for the candidate in their current county. 6. Review and Take Action • Employers review the report to determine: Relevance: Whether any identified offenses impact the candidate’s ability to perform the job. Company Policy Compliance: Whether the findings align with organizational hiring standards. • Adverse Action: If the check reveals disqualifying information, the employer must: Notify the candidate of the decision. Provide a copy of the report and allow the candidate to dispute or explain the findings.

The key difference between a County Criminal Records Check (Contingent) and a County Criminal Records Check (Current) lies in their purpose and scope of focus: County Criminal Records Check (Contingent) • Purpose: Conducted to verify potential criminal records flagged during a national database search or other preliminary background screenings. • Scope: o Targets counties identified through broader searches. o Focuses only on jurisdictions where potential matches (or “hits”) are found in the national database. o Acts as a follow-up to validate the accuracy of flagged records and obtain detailed information directly from county-level sources. • Use Case: o Ensures the national database search results are accurate, complete, and tied to the candidate. o Reduces the likelihood of false positives or outdated records from national databases. County Criminal Records Check (Current) • Purpose: Specifically investigate the candidate’s criminal history in the county where they live or work. • Scope: o Focuses solely on the candidate’s present jurisdiction. It does not rely on or require a prior national search. This check is performed based on the candidate’s current address. Provide the most recent and relevant criminal history for the location where the candidate will likely have had recent legal interactions. • Use Case: Help employers evaluate recent behavior and activities in the candidate’s immediate jurisdiction. Ensure compliance with legal requirements or hiring policies for localized checks. Key Differences Aspect Contingent Current Trigger for Check Based on flagged results from a national search Based on the candidate's current address. Focus Only in counties with potential records Only on the candidate's present jurisdiction. Purpose: To validate flagged criminal hits To review recent criminal activity in the area Relevance is Broader but targeted to flagged areas Specific to the candidate's current county Use Case Complements a national search Provides localized, up-to-date information. When to Use Each Check • Contingent Check: This is to confirm national search results and ensure that no mismatched or incomplete records influence hiring decisions. • Current Check: If you want to add assurance of workplace safety, you should specifically investigate recent activities in the candidate's current county of residence.

Yes, your explicit consent is required before conducting Continuous Criminal Monitoring. Under federal laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers must obtain written permission before performing the background check and drug test. You will be asked to sign an authorization form acknowledging your consent and rights.