Frequently Asked Questions
What is a criminal record?
A criminal record (or rap sheet) is an official history of an individual's arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences maintained by law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal level.
How do I search for someone's criminal history?
Use our Criminal Records page to link to official state repositories, county court portals, and national databases like the FBI's NCIC (accessible only to authorized agencies) and public sex-offender registries.
Can a criminal record be expunged?
Yes, in many states. Expungement seals or destroys the record, removing it from most public searches. Eligibility depends on the offense type, sentence served, and waiting period under state law.
Do arrests without convictions appear on background checks?
Arrests that did not lead to conviction may appear on criminal background checks. Under the FCRA, reporting agencies may not report arrests older than 7 years (with exceptions).
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
A felony is a serious crime (e.g., murder, robbery) typically punishable by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is a lesser offense (e.g., petty theft, trespassing) usually punishable by a fine or up to one year in jail.