Continued Uncertainty with Court Closures Creates Continued Challenge for Hiring Managers; Opines CriminalBackgroundRecords.com
Ongoing confusion with County Court operating hours suggests that a best practice remains that hiring managers and HR Departments should work with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency, such as CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, to ensure they supply the most reliable information, such as criminal records. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, opines: 'Due to the COVID19 pandemic there is continued confusion regarding access to county courts; and a best practice suggests that hiring managers and HR Departments should work with a pre-employment background screening agency to ensure continued access to county court records, such as Criminal Histories."
WALTHAM, Mass., June 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the economy emerges from the COVID19 pandemic related shutdown of non-essential activities, County Court access is coming back, but confusion remains regarding what departments are available and when related offices are open. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, states: "Challenges with gathering data from county courts due to pandemic related shutdowns is a perfect example of why hiring managers and HR Departments should work closely with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency, such as CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, to ensure access to critical data utilized in the new employee vetting process."
Different regions of the country are emerging at different speeds and this rate of opening has affected access to County Courts.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: "Court openings vary widely across the country. This different rate of opening may cause delays in hiring. County Court Records are often the most up to date and important information available to hiring managers and HR Departments."
An example of staggered court openings is Riverside County in California.
From Patch.com (May 28, 20):
Amid continued concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to comply with federal, state and local guidelines, court officials announced they will be extending its temporary closures as follows:
- The Corona Court, the Moreno Valley Court, the Temecula Court, the Hemet Court, the Riverside Self-Help Center and the Riverside Records Center will be closed from June 1, 2020 through June 12, 2020.
- The Riverside Historic Courthouse, the Riverside Family Law Court, and the Palm Springs Court will be closed from June 1, 2020 through June 5, 2020.
- Beginning on June 8, 2020, the Riverside Historic Courthouse, the Riverside Family Law Court, and the Palm Springs Court will be open to the public for the limited purpose of filing emergency matters, including, restraining order applications, requests to renew restraining orders, temporary guardianships, temporary conservatorships, and ex parte applications…(1)
The above passage is a good example of the various times Courthouse and related governmental data repositories are opening.
Other parts of California are opening more directly.
In Napa County most services have resumed.
From NorthBayBusinessJournal.com (June 1, 20):
Napa County resumed most services relative to criminal, civil, family and traffic court. The exception was jury trials. As yet, no North Bay county has restored jury trials. Officials in each county said they will evaluate when to restart jury trials on June 15. Even then, jury trials are not a given — especially without special provisions to protect public health. (2)
Almeida adds, "Access to County Court records, such as criminal history reports, is vital to make a sound decision on an applicant. This information must be accurate and timely. A challenge remains when courts across a state, region, or the country as a whole do not open equally. Working with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency remains a best practice to ensure timely access to critical information."
CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party employment screening company, an advocate of SHRM, a member in good standing with the PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) and for over 17 years has maintained an A+ Rating with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). The company has highly trained operators well versed in the needs and requirements of companies and organizations large and small utilizing public records, such as criminal background records, as part of a hiring process. Assisting companies in maintaining full compliance under the law is a central tenet of all client relationships with CriminalBackgroundRecords.com.
Notes:
(1) patch.com/california/temecula/riverside-superior-court-announces-new-court-closure-dates
(2) northbaybusinessjournal.com/industrynews/law/11004093-181/napa-sonoma-marin-superior-courts-reopen
SOURCE Criminal Background Records
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