Criminal Records Overview

A criminal record check can tell you if someone you know has committed a crime and been convicted in a court of law. These records are a matter of public record in most states since individuals lose certain rights when they become labeled as a criminal (including the right to privacy).

Criminal records are used by employers and by the government to determine eligibility for jobs, voting and much more. For example, a person convicted of a felony immediately forfeits his or her right to vote. Also, not disclosing a conviction on a job application is often grounds for immediate termination.

Crime records can even help you determine if someone was honest about their past (without them knowing you are looking into it). With the ability to conduct an actual background check becoming more difficult as of late, it's reassuring to know that you can still access a person's criminal records in order to find out what criminal transgressions they've committed.

State Criminal Records

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