NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT
As an employer, you have a difficult duty when recruiting people: find the right person for the job without hiring someone that may harm you, your business, or your reputation. Complex background check laws like Ban the Box are making it more difficult than ever to identify criminals – including sex offenders who may abuse clients or employees after hire.
IMI's National Sex Offender Search for employment uses an innovative algorithm to identify and flag high-risk sex offenders before you hire. With this information, you can prevent predators from gaining access to your business and clients permanently.
IMI's National Sex Offender Search for employment uses an innovative algorithm to identify and flag high-risk sex offenders before you hire. With this information, you can prevent predators from gaining access to your business and clients permanently.
What is a National Sex Offender Search?
A National Sex Offender Search checks national and state databases to verify whether candidates have a history of committing sexual crimes. In the eyes of federal law, a sex offender is any American who is convicted of a sexual-based offense against a minor or an adult.
Individuals who are considered sex offenders must register at least once per year. The registration is typically for a minimum of 10 years at a time. Sex offenders must also re-register if they relocate to a new city or state. If a sex offender fails to register, a warrant for arrest is issued and they are considered to be in violation of their conditions.
Each state maintains its own individual Sex Offender Registry. Registries are open to public access, but can be extremely time-consuming and frustrating to search. In addition to these state-based databases, the federal government and several other organizations also maintain their own individual databases – these may or may not be accessible to the public.
IMI Data’s National Sex Offender Search for employment checks the following databases:
Individuals who are considered sex offenders must register at least once per year. The registration is typically for a minimum of 10 years at a time. Sex offenders must also re-register if they relocate to a new city or state. If a sex offender fails to register, a warrant for arrest is issued and they are considered to be in violation of their conditions.
Each state maintains its own individual Sex Offender Registry. Registries are open to public access, but can be extremely time-consuming and frustrating to search. In addition to these state-based databases, the federal government and several other organizations also maintain their own individual databases – these may or may not be accessible to the public.
IMI Data’s National Sex Offender Search for employment checks the following databases:
Of these resources, the National Sex Offender Registry and U.S. DOJ records are the most reliable. IMI Data Search’s National Sex Offender Search for employment cross-checks information across multiple resources to prevent mismatches, unidentified risks, and lapsed database information from affecting your results. This approach ensures accuracy and prevents accidental ignorance.
Sexual Offense Tiered Levels
Most states judge sex offenses on a tiered level system; in many cases, IMI Data’s searches identify the level of crime committed. This tiered system is important, and it can tell employers much about the crime committed and how impactful it was.
Level 1 offenders are considered to have committed crimes which are serious, but not as impactful as other crimes. This includes statutory rape, indecent exposure, possession of child pornography, and attempted sexual assault of an adult. In order to qualify for Level 1 assessment, the sex offender must spend less than one year in prison.
Level 2 sex crimes escalate in severity and impact. These cases may include prostitution of a minor, aggressive sexual assault, production or distribution of child pornography, conspiracy to have sexual contact with a minor, and all second offenses that would fall under Level 1 sex crimes.
Level 3 sex crimes are the most severe, and include both violent and persistent crimes. This includes rape, conspiracy to commit rape, sexual contact with a child under 12, kidnapping of a minor for sexual purposes, engaging in sexal acts by force, and a variety of other sexual acts with a minor under 16.
In rare cases, we may be unable to provide anything more than confirmation of registry. This limitation occurs because a small number of states limit the amount of information searches can legally access.
Level 1 offenders are considered to have committed crimes which are serious, but not as impactful as other crimes. This includes statutory rape, indecent exposure, possession of child pornography, and attempted sexual assault of an adult. In order to qualify for Level 1 assessment, the sex offender must spend less than one year in prison.
Level 2 sex crimes escalate in severity and impact. These cases may include prostitution of a minor, aggressive sexual assault, production or distribution of child pornography, conspiracy to have sexual contact with a minor, and all second offenses that would fall under Level 1 sex crimes.
Level 3 sex crimes are the most severe, and include both violent and persistent crimes. This includes rape, conspiracy to commit rape, sexual contact with a child under 12, kidnapping of a minor for sexual purposes, engaging in sexal acts by force, and a variety of other sexual acts with a minor under 16.
In rare cases, we may be unable to provide anything more than confirmation of registry. This limitation occurs because a small number of states limit the amount of information searches can legally access.
Who Should Run a National Sex Offender Search for Employment?
IMI Data Search recommends that all employers run a National Sex Offender Search for employment if they are permitted to by law. The implications of hiring a sex offender can be extremely devastating, especially if the candidate will deal with vulnerable people.
Recruiters in special high-regulation sectors may benefit most from running a National Sex Offender Search. State and federal laws also make screening mandatory in these sectors. This is because employees often have a high degree of authority and access to children, the elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations. These sectors include:
Recruiters in special high-regulation sectors may benefit most from running a National Sex Offender Search. State and federal laws also make screening mandatory in these sectors. This is because employees often have a high degree of authority and access to children, the elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations. These sectors include:
The law recognizes that workers in these sectors have unique opportunities to abuse the clients they serve. Thus, employers must screen for sex offenses and criminal records before they hire.
Why You Need a National Sex Offender Search for Employment Screening
Hiring sex offenders is risky. Research shows that most sex offenders have a significantly high risk to reoffend. This is especially true when they have access to vulnerable people like children, elderly adults, or women. An employer who hires a sex offender who harms other employees or the public may find themselves targeted in a liability lawsuit.
If you operate within one of the aforementioned vulnerable sectors, hiring a sex offender without properly screening could result in hefty fines or even criminal charges. A member of the public who is harmed by a sex offender employee has due cause to sue for negligent hiring if it is revealed that you skipped the screening process.
If you operate within one of the aforementioned vulnerable sectors, hiring a sex offender without properly screening could result in hefty fines or even criminal charges. A member of the public who is harmed by a sex offender employee has due cause to sue for negligent hiring if it is revealed that you skipped the screening process.
How IMI Data Helps with Sex Offender Searches
Screening sex offender registries by hand is incredibly time-consuming, and in some cases, can be immensely frustrating. Information contained within sex crimes databases isn’t always complete or updated. Because of this, it may not paint a clear picture of the crime committed when searching an applicant’s name or information.
Complicating matter is the fact that some states include registration for borderline crimes (e.g., two underage teenagers having consensual sex). It is possible to misunderstand results and include or disclude a candidate based on what you find.
IM Data Search’s National Sex Offender Search for employment demystifies the process and speeds it up. As a result, it’s easier for your business to mitigate risks. National Sex Offender Search results return within as little as one day. Due to the quick turnaround time, they are immediately accessible from our convenient online platform. If we identify a match, we provide you with any available information about the match. This includes the name of the perpetrator, their most recent address, the level of the crime, and the specific crime committed. Sex Offender Searches are available individually or as part of a full comprehensive background check, making standard screening measures more reliable and robust.
Complicating matter is the fact that some states include registration for borderline crimes (e.g., two underage teenagers having consensual sex). It is possible to misunderstand results and include or disclude a candidate based on what you find.
IM Data Search’s National Sex Offender Search for employment demystifies the process and speeds it up. As a result, it’s easier for your business to mitigate risks. National Sex Offender Search results return within as little as one day. Due to the quick turnaround time, they are immediately accessible from our convenient online platform. If we identify a match, we provide you with any available information about the match. This includes the name of the perpetrator, their most recent address, the level of the crime, and the specific crime committed. Sex Offender Searches are available individually or as part of a full comprehensive background check, making standard screening measures more reliable and robust.
