Arrest Jurisdiction Locator (AJL)

The Arrest Jurisdiction Locator (AJL) is a powerful, real-time database search designed to identify arrests and booking history across the United States. Using more than 3,000 interfaces with local law enforcement agencies, this tool provides unparalleled visibility into an individual's booking history, serving as a highly proactive component for comprehensive background screening.

What Does the Search Cover?

The AJL search sweeps a massive, constantly updating network to identify if a candidate has been detained or booked by law enforcement. This search checks:

• Real-Time Arrest Data: The database is updated within minutes of a booking through integrated agencies, providing the most timely insight into criminal incident information currently available.
• Historical Incarceration Records: Accesses tens of millions of historical booking and incarceration records. 

Important Coverage Note: While the AJL offers expansive coverage, it is a database search and does not cover every county in every state. For the most accurate and compliant results, we highly recommend using this product in conjunction with our Nationwide Criminal Database and County Criminal Records searches.

How Does the Search Work?

This search is used as a “pointer” tool to flag potential records, followed by a strict verification process at the county level to ensure total compliance.

1. Database Query: We run your candidate's information through the database to locate any potential arrest or booking records.
2. County Search Initiation: If a potential arrest record from within the last 7 years is located for your candidate, we add a county criminal record search for the specific county where that booking occurred. 
3. Record Verification and Delivery: We then search the official county court to determine the outcome of the arrest. Only arrests that resulted in convictions (or pending charges) are verified and reported to you within the County Criminal Records search.

Who Needs This Search?

This search is highly recommended for:

• Organizations looking for the most comprehensive and up-to-date criminal background checks possible.
• Companies that require rapid insight into high-risk behavior or want to close gaps left by standard address-history searches.

Why Make This Part of Your Screening Process?

• Close Information Gaps: Standard criminal searches are based on a candidate's address history. The AJL can identify arrests in jurisdictions where a candidate may have traveled or temporarily stayed within the last 7 years, which standard county searches might otherwise miss.
• Protect Your Organization: Enhance workplace safety by utilizing real-time incident data to ensure you are fully informed about a candidate's legally actionable criminal history.

FAQ

Will I see a candidate's arrest records on the final report? No. The AJL acts strictly as a "pointer" tool behind the scenes to locate where an incident occurred. To help you maintain a seamless screening process and minimize compliance risks, we intentionally exclude non-conviction cases from our reports. We pride ourselves on strictly following the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) best-practice guidance, which advises against using non-convictions in employment decisions. By excluding these records, we help you maintain a fair screening process focused strictly on proven criminal history.