About 4 years ago I sold my house in Socal and made a criminal profit from appreciation. 

Otherwise, in addition to lawsuits you could be on the hook for criminal charges... 0 chance of me putting myself in a position where I could end up being sued or worse charged criminally for someone else's actions...

Trying to avoid the horror stories of missed evictions or criminal history. 

As to your comment about disconnecting utilities, every state I have looked into make it a criminal offense if you turn off any utilities, even if the tenant isn't paying you for them. 

I find some courthouses look at me like I'm a criminal trying to do some dirty work and waste their time while other smaller places ask me if my chair is comfy enough.  

How do you vet the company outside of the process I would use for the name personally (criminal, credit and eviction checks)?

Seriously, anything else is a criminal offense.

Explain that they don't do the size of the house justice, and add some extra description to help him visualize.

How can I check the criminal background (including checking for evictions and previous lawsuits they've filed) on potential tenants?

if this happens you have to file criminal charges.. simple as that.. property is not going anywhere.. but we should not really talk about this on social media don't want to give the Evil Doers any ideas.