For those conducting federal criminal records searches and federal civil records searches as background checks for employment screening, please take note–
Though it now looks as if a deal is imminent to end the Congressional budget impasse, refund the federal government, and avoid default, should the deal not materialize the fate of U.S. Federal Courts remains uncertain. In the face of Thursday, October 17’s default deadline, the U.S. Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania has issued an order declaring many of its workers essential, which gives the impression that courts will continue to operate regardless of a default. This release by Hon. Theodore A. McKee, Chief Circuit Judge of New Jersey’s Third Judicial Circuit seems to confirm that the courts will remain open, but unknown is how a default will affect court record research. According to reports, the compromise being negotiated in the Senate will only fund the government through January 15 and raise the debt ceiling through February 7. The proposed deal would require both houses to appoint members to a budget conference that would establish a plan for broader deficit reduction in December. As this report in the online magazine Slate points out, U.S. courts have already been contending with sequester budget shortfalls. Whether a default will represent a new crisis or more of the same is unclear at this time. Even if a deal can be brokered in time to avoid default, U.S. courts may face further cutbacks.
Rest assured, we will be monitoring the situation closely and will keep you apprised of any changes in service as things develop.
