Active Warrants & Wants Screening

What Is a Wants and Warrants Check?

A Wants and Warrants screening identifies whether an individual has any outstanding legal issues, such as active arrest warrants or law enforcement requests (also known as "wants"). These can stem from a wide range of offenses-from minor infractions like unpaid traffic violations to serious criminal charges such as assault, theft, or parole violations.

Running this type of check during the hiring process can help employers make more informed decisions and reduce the risks associated with bringing someone on board who may pose a threat to workplace safety or company assets.

Why It Matters in Hiring

Outstanding warrants can indicate a history of unresolved legal issues or failure to comply with court orders. While not all warrants imply guilt, they do raise concerns about reliability and integrity-especially for positions involving sensitive information, public interaction, or financial responsibility.

Including a Wants and Warrants search in your pre-employment screening process can:

  • Help prevent negligent hiring claims

  • Promote a safer work environment

  • Reduce risk to your employees and clients

  • Protect your organization’s reputation

How the Process Works

Our Wants and Warrants searches cover both local and national sources. Here’s what the process includes:

  • National Database Search: A wide-reaching scan of federal, state, and multi-jurisdictional records for felony-level offenses or serious misdemeanors.

  • County-Level Checks: If there is a current or pending case, active warrants may also appear in a County Criminal Records search.

  • Verification: Before results are shared with you, any flagged warrants are confirmed with the originating law enforcement agency or court to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

It’s important to note: having an outstanding warrant does not mean the person has been convicted-it only reflects that legal action is pending.

Peace of Mind for Employers

By incorporating a Wants and Warrants check into your hiring protocol, you gain added assurance that you're hiring responsibly and protecting your business from avoidable legal and safety risks.

At background-check.com, our background screening services are designed to deliver reliable, FCRA-compliant results you can trust-helping you hire with confidence every time.