Federal criminal record searches   

Several business owners consider federal criminal record searches effective ways of revealing vast quantities of information.


However, this assumption may not always hold true. Conducting a nationwide search is possible, however before doing so, there things to consider.

There isn't a single private sector database, which list felons. The emphasis here is on private sector. The FBI can assist police detectives in tapping into the National Crime Information Center or NCIC. This is a database on felons, stolen vehicles, and weapons, which is available to a certified or accredited law enforcement officer or department. Then, the information is only available for official use related to a criminal investigation, not as a background check for employment. This leaves the federal courts. Open federal court records can be indexed and examined, however the federal court rules only on federal laws, and any intrastate issues.

Federal criminal searches collect information stored in databases and not from active registers. The input for the federal database comes from local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Depending on manpower, the database may not be updated on a regular bases, resulting in frequently outdated records, or the overlooking of newly listed felony or misdemeanor convictions.

As a result, a nationwide search may not produce the results you are searching for, which may actually be found in your state or county office.