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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 3Ch. 2Art. 1§ 26616 Employee Criminal Background Checks

§ 26616 Employee Criminal Background Checks

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 26616 Employee Criminal Background Checks

Key Takeaways

  • •Private investigators or adjusters can ask the sheriff to check if someone they want to hire has a serious criminal record.
  • •The sheriff will only say if the person was convicted of a serious crime, like a felony or illegal weapon possession, but won’t give details.
  • •The employer must provide the person’s full name, address, photos, fingerprints, and permission to do the check.
  • •The sheriff can charge a fee for this service.

Example

A private investigator wants to hire someone to help with cases.

The investigator can ask the sheriff to check if the person has a serious criminal record. The sheriff will only say 'yes' or 'no' if the person was convicted of a bad crime, like stealing or having an illegal gun. The investigator must give the sheriff the person’s name, photos, fingerprints, and permission to do the check.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 26616 Employee Criminal Background Checks

Upon the application of a licensee under the Private Investigator and Adjuster Act (commencing with Section 7500 of the Business and Professions Code), the sheriff shall furnish such licensee with a report stating whether any employee, or proposed employee, of such licensee has ever been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or the illegal possession of a dangerous weapon or of a felony; provided, that the information contained in the sheriff’s report to the applying licensee shall be only a statement of whether or not a conviction of such a crime has occurred. The sheriff may charge a fee sufficient to cover the costs of furnishing such report. The application shall include: (a) The full name, residence address, telephone number, date and place of birth, and the social security number of the employee or proposed employee. (b) Three recent photographs of the employee or proposed employee of a type prescribed by the sheriff, and three classifiable sets of his fingerprints. (c) Such other information, evidence, statements, or documents as may be required by the sheriff. (d) A signed statement by the employee or proposed employee consenting to the application for such information. (Amended by Stats. 1969, Ch. 457.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

convictiondangerpossessioncrimeportfelonylicenseemployee

Related Statutes

  • § 26614.7 Search Rescue Cost Recovery
  • § 26614.6 Resident Search Rescue Reimbursement
  • § 831.4 Recreational Trail Liability Immunity
  • § 831.7 Public Immunity For Hazardous Recreation
  • § 8214.1 Notary Commission Denial Grounds

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 26616.
View Official Source