Union County, New Jersey Court Records (New York Metro Area)

Located on the northern side of New Jersey, Union County is a part of the New York metropolitan area. It has a population of about 575,000. Nearby counties include Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset. Foremost employers in the area include Merck & Co., Blue Apron, and Nokia.

A fast-growing area that benefits from its own vibrant economy and the proximity to New York City, Union County has consistently added new residents over the last ten years. Bringing in families and individuals seeking opportunities away from the inner-city bustle, the area provides employers with ample opportunities to discover talented workers. 

These conditions simplify finding candidates to interview, but it also complicates picking the most suitable individual. It's challenging to know what any applicant might have in their history or assess their risk level to your business. However, a thorough vetting process that includes criminal history background checks is the key to solving this problem.

When used effectively, background checks can discover essential information for employers and a unique perspective on every applicant. However, as consumer reports, these tools do face some regulation at every level of government. To use them, and do so effectively, demands a clear understanding of your compliance responsibilities.

This begins with understanding New Jersey’s “ban the box” statute for private employers. This law covers all private businesses in Union County and has been in force since 2015. It stipulates the following restrictions:

• You may not ask questions about criminal history on a job application.

• You must conduct an interview with each candidate before asking any such questions.

• You cannot “Google” applicants or search for information about them on the web before an interview.

• You may not ask about expunged or pardoned records.
• You may not use drug tests for marijuana nor deny employment based on a positive result on such a test.

Alongside this state law, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s rules. This includes providing standalone disclosure of your intent to use a background check, getting an applicant’s written consent, and following a specific procedure for adverse action and notification. You must also follow EEOC guidelines on non-discrimination. For businesses based over the state border and hiring with New York City, you should observe that jurisdiction’s stricter Fair Chance rules.

Now that you’ve created a policy that aligns with the law and your hiring goals, you can start vetting candidates at the appropriate stage in the pipeline. A wide-ranging viewpoint covering places an applicant may have previously lived is an ideal starting point. Our US OneSEARCH product provides thorough reports in mere minutes. Using a database of records we’ve compiled nationwide and keep updated, we’ll identify records matching your candidate. See our coverage map for more details about how we source our data.

Consumer reporting agencies cannot access all criminal history data nationwide. Some states and local jurisdictions provide their own procedures and systems for running background checks for employment. Union County is one example of an area where third-party agencies can’t conduct the standard checks. Instead, they must go through a service offered by the New Jersey State Police. Fingerprint-based background checks cost $44.13, while there is a $20 fee for a simple name-based check.

Background reports sourced from county court records may include the subject's:

• Name
• Offense/Charge
• Sentence
• Disposition

Make the most of every hiring opportunity in Union County by developing a thorough vetting process with support from backgroundchecks.com.