Whether you’re planning on hiring a new employee or making a decision on a prospective applicant, a review of their criminal and civil background will assist you in making an important decision.

So, what is the difference between a civil and a criminal background check? Simply put, a criminal check looks for any violations of the law that could have resulted in a criminal conviction. It might be anything from a felony like a manslaughter to a DUI or driver’s license suspension. A civil search will uncover any lawsuit that may display poor judgment or distracting entanglements, such as civil judgments, bankruptcies, foreclosures, bank liens, and financial judgments owed.