Your Guide to County Criminal Records

Learn more about county criminal record searches. Learn about background checks at the county level.

What is a county criminal record search?

County criminal record searches find records associated with applicants based on identifying information, sourced directly from county courthouses. These records highlight historical incidents for employers to make informed hiring decisions. Read on to learn what benefits county-level background screening provides.

Key Takeaways

• County courthouse records are one of the most reliable sources of criminal data.

• Statewide Criminal searches can supplement County Criminal searches.

Why are county criminal record searches important?

County criminal record searches are important because they focus on the jurisdiction directly associated with the candidate, often the location they currently or previously lived in. Since most crimes happen at the local level, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, these searches are more likely to turn up criminal history if present.

What’s the difference between county and statewide criminal searches?

County and statewide criminal searches have significant differences. County criminal searches look at available records from individual county courthouses, making them the most direct source. Statewide criminal searches source data from the county records and compile them into a database or repository, which may not be updated consistently or frequently. They also inherently cover a wider search area than county searches, making it especially effective when used together.

Do county and statewide criminal searches provide the same information?

In general, the data reported at the statewide level is similar to county courthouse records. Statewide searches may provide results from county courthouses that have not been searched directly.

How are county-level criminal records gathered?

County criminal searches involve both automated and manual collections of case information. When digital files are available, they can be automatically retrieved from county records. When physical files must be gathered, a “court runner” is sent to retrieve the files in person from the courthouse.

What information is provided in county criminal search results?

County criminal search results can vary based on specific case details, but most provide some variation of the information below:

• Search period

• Location information

• Case number

• Dates of offense, filing, and disposition

• Charges

• Final verdict

If no criminal history is found, the results are marked as “No Discrepancy.”