What is a Background Check? | backgroundchecks.com

Galveston County, Texas Court Records

Written by Michael Klazema | Sep 8, 2022 8:56:50 PM

Galveston County, location of its eponymous city, is a large coastal region with a population of about 350,000. Nearby counties include Brazoria, Chambers, and Harris. Notable employers in the county include the American National Insurance Company, Moody National Bank, and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Historically home to a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston County today continues to play a key role in Gulf shipping while also maintaining an expansive service economy. Banking and finance, insurance, and especially tourism are the pillars of the local economy. With a population that jumped by more than 20% over the last decade, rapid growth in Galveston means there is always a large number of eager job seekers in the labor market. For business ready to hang up the “Now Hiring” sign, that can mean more opportunities to find the right fit fast. Before rushing into any decisions, though, don’t forget the need for due diligence.

When someone applies for your open position, they start out as a total stranger — the hiring process should work to equip you with some insight into who they are. That includes not just assessing their qualifications but checking into their criminal background as well. Such tools are a key to conducting a thorough risk assessment and deciding whether or not you feel an individual could pose a danger to your business or others. 

Using background screening as part of the hiring process isn’t just a good idea; for some kinds of employers, such as schools, it may even be the law. Today’s solutions empower organizations to quickly acquire the information they seek, so that background checks do not form a bottleneck in the hiring pipeline. With immediate access to records compiled and maintained by the professionals at backgroundchecks.com, you can start assessing new applicants right away. 

Prior to ordering any reporting products, review the relevant rules and procedures that apply to using background checks for employment. Texas does not have any “ban the box” rules to stop businesses from asking about prior criminal convictions on job applications. However, be aware of the federal regulations on non-discrimination in hiring, such as the guidance published by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Employers should also review FCRA requirements, such as the mandatory “standalone disclosure,” along with additional non-discrimination rules defined by the Civil Rights Act.

With the legal matters sorted, you can start ordering background checks on job applicants at your convenience. Beginning with the US OneSEARCH from backgroundchecks.com provides instant access to nationwide results, including from within Galveston County. Visit our online coverage map for full details on our sources for all jurisdictions. When you need the most recent information on an applicant, a county-level court search can produce records on recent and pending cases you may wish to review.

Background reports generated by backgroundchecks.com include information from the following:

  • Texas Department of Public Safety – Felony and misdemeanor records from 1975-present
  • Galveston County Court – Misdemeanor records from 1982-present
  • Galveston County District Court – Felon records from January 2017-present
  • Texas sex offender registry

These reports can include the subject’s:

  • Name
  • Offense/Charge
  • Sentence
  • Disposition

Soak up the benefits of a sunny job market in Galveston County with help from backgroundchecks.com.