Criminal History Records

Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to the cumulative record of occasions on which an individual has been arrested by a local or state police agency and convicted in a court of law of a felony or serious misdemeanor. Information included in an individual's criminal history record generally includes details regarding the arrest, the charges filed, the sentence imposed, the fine imposed and related probation, parole and release information. Court records are usually considered public records and are available without the individual's consent unless they have been sealed, as in the case of a minor. Although there is variability from state to state regarding what can be released, to whom and for what reasons, arrest records are not generally considered public records and are only made available to people other than law enforcement officials or the persons to whom the records pertain by statute or court order. In "open record" states, criminal record information, including arrest record data, is available to anyone who asks. Also included are programs that are responsible for investigating and correcting errors in the criminal history records of individuals who have had contact with law enforcement, the courts, correctional institutions, the probation system or other parts of the criminal justice system.