In Ohio, we have 2 courts in each local that handle most of the criminal and civil activity.  

They also won't be sent to jail as this is not criminal.

The state is like, here is a list of people most likely to be motivated to sell and would welcome your help... but if you use it you are a criminal! 

Here is an excerpt from our rental criteria:LEGAL/CRIMINAL HISTORY: 1.

Stating the wrong thing to a banker to get a loan is mortgage fraud, a federal offence.

Many do not realize that there can be criminal penalties for writing bad checks as outlined in the attached:http://www.ckfraud.org/penalties.htmlGail

If you're looking for an easy way to whittle down the number of tenants who apply to a bucket of people that you'd actually rent to, I would require them all to apply online, and pull credit, criminal and eviction reports.

A little background about what influenced the move, after graduating high school I went to community college for engineering, criminal justice, and business.

A two line email from their agent to yours when he asks is at least polite "Thank you again, the seller still has not made the full determination at this time, Your offer was presented through the channels and we are working on moving it forward" (takes 10 seconds and he can have it in notepad to copy and paste), but I don't think it is criminal or shady (it could be).I will say though that listening to @Bill Gulley would always be a smart choice in my opinion.

Sit down with them and literally exchange criminal checks.