Make sure you understand what exactly the scope of the search is, if they check for just liens & judgement or do they also check the tax status, federal tax lien search etc.. 

There was a court judgement in the landlord's favor for the eviction, which most likely included the amount the tenant owed.

I've attended a one day workshop where I got enough info to make the judgement that it is too complicated for a beginner like me now, especially the non-performing notes.

When I pulled their credit they had recent judgements and late payments on other things, so I declined them as renters.Taking on a renter with a SS or foreclosure is a risk.  

Ultimately only you will be able to make this judgement call, but if it's a good property in a desirable area, it may well compensate for steps.  

Apart from reading/verifying the defendants named on the the general judgement filed with the courts and recorded with the county, is there more investigating I should be doing to verify the defendants listed on the judgement were properly served?

Then comes the Microsoft lawsuit issue with the contractors and the monopoly federal judgement against Microsoft.

If they do correct the situation, verify first and then continue your current lease.If they do correct the situation use your judgement to decide if it was a one time thing, and whether you'd renew their lease when time comes.

The above links are an interesting read.... these are the actual judgements against Pat Brody in the case EStG posted above

@Russell Brazil I think @Lenny Grimes is talking about the $20k judgement that you only got $15k from the previous owner.