Criminal Record(s)

WHAT IS A CRIMINAL RECORD?

Criminal Record

A criminal record is a public report of an individual's comprehensive criminal history. Typically, it details all non-expunged criminal violations and arrests, including moving traffic violations that have been processed through the criminal court system. A person's criminal record may include all arrests, convictions, charges dismissed, and even charges where the individual has been acquitted.

Criminal record being looked at through a background check.

Criminal Records In The United States

In the US, criminal records are a matter of public record. Criminal records are government documents, which have been written, recorded, or filed by a member of law enforcement or court clerk.

How Are Criminal Records Maintained?

At the regional level, criminal records are maintained in internal databases by the following organizations:

• Regional police departments
• Sheriff offices
• Specialized law enforcement agencies

At the state level, criminal records are maintained in independent databases by:

• State police
• Highway patrol
• Correctional agencies
• Other law enforcement agencies

Law enforcement organizations often share arrest records with other similar enforcement specialists and the details are usually made available to the general public.

Records of crimes committed by registered sex offenders are readily accessible to the general public because federal laws require states to update and maintain electronic sex offender registries. A national sex offender registry is accessible to the general public as well, for nationwide data on sex offenders.

How Criminal Records Are Used

Criminal records can have a variety of uses, but the most common ways they are used include:

• Background Checks
• Security Clearance

Criminal Records On Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate compiles criminal records on people living in the US from county, state, and federal government agencies. While every effort is made to provide thorough criminal history reports, each state has different laws regarding public access to these records. Because of this, the criminal records shown on certain reports may be inaccurate or incomplete.

Public Access To Criminal Records

In the United States, private detectives, journalists, offender researchers, third party background check organizations, and the members of the general public have the freedom to search local and federal criminal records by a person's name and date of birth, and can request a county clerk to perform searches for them. Keep in mind that some criminal records are available to the public, and others aren't. Access to a person's criminal record usually is determined by the specific record in question, and the laws surrounding public access to criminal records in that particular state.