The Warrant Nobody Else Found (And Why That Should Worry You)

Backstory:

We performed a criminal record search in Los Angeles, challenging at anyone’s game. Even yours truly. We reported a pending DUI charge and an outstanding warrant in the case against Applicant X. The DUI charge was from 2018, the warrant from 2025.

Email from client:

Morning Ann,

By any chance, is this filing incorrect? She sent us a recent background check from another company she worked for, and it didn’t show up.

So, I responded:Dear Client,

Applicant X is being charged with DUI in Los Angeles County. It was filed on 09/05/2018; the most recent event we see is an arraignment that occurred (or was supposed to occur) on 04/09/2025.

It appears she missed the arraignment, and a warrant was issued on 04/09/2025.

Email from client:

Applicant X is adamant that this is wrong; she took care of it a long time ago. Are you sure?

I responded:

Dear Client,

The case has not been adjudicated in the public records that I see. No dismissal, no conviction. I recommend she check with the court.

And lo and behold, on July 14, from Client:

Hello –

Applicant X went to the courthouse yesterday to get this all situated [whatever that means]. Can we re-run her background check?

Ann dutifully re-checks records in Los Angeles County to determine:

Dear Client,

The warrant has been quashed, and Applicant X has a pretrial hearing on August 3, 2026. I’ve updated our report.

Client:

Amazing! Thank you, Ann!!

So, why the long story? Two main points.

1. Just because an applicant provides a clear background check from another company doesn’t mean... squat. We all have different procedures in place, and not knowing how they processed her background check doesn’t mean a thing. Be sure you know what your background screener is providing.

2. While Applicant X did yowl and yell foul, we were right. She did have an outstanding warrant in Los Angeles County. On a charge from 8 years ago. She did need to go to the court to take care of it.She may not have been aware; sometimes those notices get mailed to old addresses.

What else you need to know:

· Evidently another background screener missed the warrant. Not all background checks are created equal. Our client would have been in a world of hurt if that was them. Be sure you know what you’re getting in a background check.

· Despite the pending DUI charge, Applicant X had a clear driving record. Fair, she hasn’t been convicted yet, but word to the wise.

Be sure you know what you’re getting. Have a relationship with your background screener where you can have a conversation about a question and know that they will do everything possible to get to the bottom of the issue.

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