Kings County New York Court Records (New York Metro Area)

Kings County, New York Court Records

Better known as the borough of Brooklyn, Kings County is the second densest region in New York City and the metropolitan area. Its population is about 2.7 million. Nearby counties include Queens, Richmond, and New York counties. Major employers in Brooklyn include the Brooklyn Naval Yard and colleges in the CUNY system—most companies based in Kings County are small businesses.

A storied part of the New York metropolitan area, Brooklyn today features an economy driven by individuals alongside the continued growth of new corporate offices for companies headquartered elsewhere in the metro area. A major destination for new arrivals, Brooklyn features a vibrant and diverse labor market that’s continually refreshed. Less than half of Brooklyn residents work at jobs within Kings County. The ease of movement through the metro means employers frequently encounter jobseekers who hail from a different county. 

In such a fluid labor market, employers face a complex task when considering how to screen applicants appropriately during the hiring process. Any jobseeker might have a complex history in another county but a seemingly clean slate elsewhere. Creating a thorough background check process that eliminates opportunities to miss vital information is always vital. Still, in a large metro area such as New York, it’s especially worth an employer’s focused attention. A valuable asset is a process that acknowledges and accounts for the complicating factors of New York’s size.

Compliance is a first-order concern in the New York metro area, but you’ll find that there are many options for conducting a thorough background check at the appropriate stage. Contemporary digital solutions open the door to far-reaching searches with results available almost instantly, while other verification services from backgroundchecks.com help build confidence in candidate suitability. You must take the appropriate steps before using a background check to evaluate an applicant. There are important regulations you should know that apply to businesses in Kings County and the entire New York City area.

There is a Fair Chance law (sometimes referred to by the phrase "ban the box") in New York City that all private employers must observe, including small and large company owners in Kings County. There is no state-wide Fair Chance law applicable to private employers outside the city. The law mandates the following:

• A conditional offer of employment must be provided before you can inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. 
• Conditional offers may only be withdrawn after an individual assessment of the job applicant’s background report. You must provide the individual with a copy of their background report and your formal analysis before waiting for five business days so the applicant may respond. You must consider any additional information provided before making a final decision.
• Some records are off-limits at all stages of the process, even following conditional offers. Adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (also known as ACDs) and unsealed violations are not admissible.
• You may only deny an applicant because of prior convictions if those convictions directly relate to the job’s duties or if they would cause the individual to pose a high risk.

You may drug test job applicants, but you cannot deny anyone for testing positive for THC/marijuana. You also may not test applicants for cannabis in general. Because employment law in New York changes frequently, employers should carefully watch for any new developments to maintain compliance.

When you’re ready, you can vet candidates by ordering background checks. To establish a baseline understanding of someone’s public criminal record, use the US OneSEARCH for instant results from a database of records compiled and maintained using nationwide systems. Although an excellent starting point, not every county makes its information accessible to third parties, including Kings County. The coverage map has more information about our resources.

Background checks in New York are only available using the New York State Office of Court Administration. The fee has recently increased to $95. These records include misdemeanors and felonies; results include more than Kings County. OCA background checks include multiple counties at once, so you do not need to order multiple reports for each borough. Please make your request for a report online or by mail.

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

• Name
• Offense/Charge
• Sentence
• Disposition

Explore how to make hiring in Kings County and the New York metropolitan area a safer, smarter process today with backgroundchecks.com