although your question is older, people need to be aware there is new laws like in California they cannot ask about criminal misdemeanors - only felony.
Everyone has crap attacked to their name on Google, they are looking for substantiated information. Credit checks tell a lot more about someone, and the only way they can find out about criminal background is via the courts and many people have been sued or have sued in court. Some credit checks do a superior court check others don't., it really depends on where you live what they can ask, and if the probation was satisfied.
