Criminal records contain an important documented history of a person’s run-ins with the criminal justice system, including minor offenses and indictable crimes. This information can be vital for employers screening job applicants or any licensing authorities determining a person’s professionalism.
Many people wonder what states don’t share criminal records and keep that information confidential. Every U.S. state participates in some form of criminal record sharing. This could be with federal agencies, law enforcement, authorized employers, and more.
Keep reading to find out more about how states generally treat criminal records.
What States Don’t Share Criminal Records? Explained
All states share criminal records in one form or another. If a person is arrested or convicted of a crime, the state will usually store the details of that incident in a central criminal history repository.
This data is also shared with federal systems used by law enforcement and specific government agencies, allowing other states to access relevant documentation when permitted by the law as well. Therefore, all states share criminal records; there isn’t a state that doesn’t share criminal records with other states or background check companies.
That said, there can be differences across states regarding how complete, current, and publicly available criminal records are. Some states, like Georgia, mandate that agencies transmit electronic arrest and fingerprint data to the state’s central repository within a set timeframe.
This increases the accuracy of the criminal records, especially compared to other states where the law might not be as strict.
Can I Access Criminal Records?
The general public, including you, can usually access criminal records, but your search results can vary. Many states do provide searchable online records, but others can require users to actually submit requests directly to the court. If the record you’re looking for is restricted by the county or state, you might not be able to find it at all.
Many people use search tools to quickly locate publicly available data, such as criminal and arrest records. This proves to be especially useful if the criminal has lived in multiple places, as these tools can gather a variety of sources into one report.
You can also find additional details, such as their address history, contact information, possible relatives, and other records that point to court filings.
If you’re an employer, you’ll most likely have access to professional background screening companies that have the authority to conduct more extensive background checks across multiple jurisdictions. The check can span county criminal courts, state criminal repositories, sex offender registries, global watch lists, and more.
Using a search tool online can help you get a solid idea of the picture before moving on to professional screening agencies.
What States Don’t Share Criminal Records? Common Misconceptions
There are various misunderstandings people have about how criminal records work. Let’s take a look at a few of these ideas and what the reality is like:
Myth 1: Moving to Another State Can Erase Your Record
Reality Check: Moving states can’t erase your record because it will remain with the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. Authorized agencies can easily find these records across states.
Myth 2: Every Background Check Can Cover All States
Reality Check: This is not necessary, as background checks vary widely. One employer might order searches in every county you have lived in, whereas another might only look at one state repository. For more sensitive posts, such as in healthcare or government, the background check is likely to be more extensive.
Myth 3: Public Databases Have Every Criminal Activity on Record
Reality Check: No database is perfect, regardless of the state you live in. Information can often get lost in communication, and local court practices can differ from region to region. Some records might be sealed, and only a select few agencies can have access to them. Don’t expect public databases, including search tools, to be 100% accurate.
Criminal Records Exist for a Reason
States share criminal records to protect the public and make certain that law enforcement agencies, employers, and other authorized parties can have access to accurate criminal history data when required. This information can help us make more informed decisions by conducting more detailed background checks for housing, employment, and other cases.
You can access these records through search tools and online criminal history repositories for the state you’re in. However, this data can be limited and inaccurate at times. You can get a more complete picture of the situation by using reputable sources and screening agencies.
