A criminal record, also known as a criminal history, is a repository of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system. It may include arrests, convictions, and other interactions with law enforcement, such as citations or interactions with pretrial services. In the United States, criminal records are typically maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies and can include information from both adult and juvenile arrests and convictions. There are a number of reasons why an individual may want to check their criminal record, including:
- Employment: Many employers run criminal background checks on potential employees as part of the hiring process.
- Housing: Some landlords run criminal background checks on potential tenants before renting to them.
- Education: Some schools run criminal background checks on students before admitting them.
- Personal information: Individuals may want to check their criminal record to see if there are any errors or inaccuracies.
There are three main ways to check your criminal record for free: