Sometimes a background search turns up less than you expected — especially when it comes to criminal records. You ran the check expecting arrests or convictions, but the report came back clean. What gives?
First — This Might Not Be a Bad Thing
It’s entirely possible your search target was never convicted of a crime. In some cases, any prior criminal or arrest records may have been sealed or expunged — which means they’re legally removed from public record databases.
No record doesn’t always mean missing data — sometimes it means there’s truly nothing to find.
But What If You’re Sure There Should Be a Record?
If you know — without a doubt — that someone was convicted or arrested and nothing appeared in the report, there are a few possible reasons:
- Records were sealed or expunged
- The crime was processed in a different jurisdiction than you searched
- Data entry or filing error at the courthouse or reporting agency
- Misdemeanor offenses or older charges that may not show up in certain databases
Here’s What You Can Do:
1. Contact the Courthouse Directly
Reach out to the state or county courthouse where the case was handled. They’re the source of truth when it comes to criminal records. If anything is on file, they’ll know.
2. Still Stuck? Talk to Us
If you’re still not finding what you need, give us a call. Our team can help guide you, answer your questions, or point you in the right direction to dig deeper.
Why Choose Truthed?
With access to over 67 billion public records, we’re committed to delivering the most thorough and accurate reports possible. If a record is out there, we’ll find it. But when records don’t show up, it’s often because:
The individual was never formally charged
Records were sealed/expunged
Data is inaccessible to public searches
Either way, your report is part of the bigger picture — and we’re here to help you understand every part of it.
Need Help? We’re Here.
Navigating public records can be complex — but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you need answers, advice, or just a little guidance, Truthed is your partner in finding the facts.
