2012
This marks the third year that the Missouri Department of Professional Regulation has required private investigators to be licensed. Illinois has required this for decades. Working without a license is a criminal offense. Numerous licenses have been denied, suspended or revoked in both states due to a person having a serious criminal history, being unqualified or having engaged in unethical activities. Our 2011 newsletter focused solely on this subject and the legal minefield you enter when using unlicensed personnel. If you would like to receive a copy of that newsletter contact our office.
You may have seen billboards advertising the Missouri State Highway Patrol offering criminal conviction searches. If you rely on this one search what about the seven other legal sources of information? An improper background check can still land you in a legal nightmare.
There are numerous information gaps in running a search simply through the Missouri State Highway Patrol or the Illinois State Police. In August 2011, we conducted an Illinois criminal conviction search for a prominent law firm. The Illinois State Police reported one misdemeanor conviction on our subject. A check with the St. Clair County Circuit Court found twelve misdemeanor and two felony convictions on the same person. None of these convictions involved a suspended imposition of sentence. We contacted personnel at the Illinois State Police and inquired about the discrepancy. The answering party advised "this happens all the time". The blame was placed on the local level for not reporting the convictions to their department.
If you don't know where there are these additional legal sources of information whoever does your background checks should. If you or your client has suffered damages due to an improper criminal record search or background check, we are available as an expert witness in Missouri and Illinois.
The economy continues to flounder causing people to throw caution to the wind trying to stay afloat financially. We've seen more money making scams, bogus investments and the recycled get rich through real estate schemes than ever before. Please don't suspense disbelief. Talk to your attorney, talk to your accountant and use common sense before falling prey to anything that seems too good to be true.
If you are a business, insurance or legal professional we offer a one hour presentation entitled "Don't Be A Victim". This is not entertainment over the lunch hour. The talk offers insight into increasing investigative effectiveness and putting more barriers between you and the bad guys. There is no charge for a presentation in the St. Louis area. The program has been well received at Maryville University, Boeing Corporation and by professional organizations. It has also been approved for one hour of continuing education credit by the Missouri Department of Professional Regulation.
Established 1981
Missouri Agency License Number: 2010008269
Illinois Agency License Number: 117.000675