Can Anyone See My Arrest Record?
If you have been arrested, it is not hard for practically anyone (with the will and the determination to do so) to obtain your arrest record. A better understanding of how this works can help you better understand the ramifications to you this access can have.
Your Arrest Records
Information related to arrests is information to which the public is considered entitled. Some organizations publish lists of recent arrests. These publications are often how news agencies get dirt on celebrities – by monitoring these lists. Arrest records are typically kept by the department of the arresting officer and by the jail you booked. If a specific request is made of either entity regarding your arrest record, they must furnish it. Still, it will be limited in scope to information such as the following:
The date of your arrest
The charges you face (or faced)
Any information describing your arrest, on the other hand, will not be in the public record and cannot be shared. Further, the courts keep records of any charges filed through them, and those records are also available to the public.
Your Criminal History Record
Another type of arrest-related record is your criminal history record, which lists every arrest, the associated charge's outcome, and all other court activity. Your criminal history record is confidential because it cannot be disclosed to the public at large, including the press and any potential employers or current employers.
Your Arrest Records and Public Databases
While it can be time consuming and awkward to obtain arrest records directly, businesses have stepped in to fill the need and make money in the process. These companies compile public databases by automatically pulling together all the general information related to arrests out there and providing specific information to anyone willing to pay.
Keeping Your Arrest Record away from Prying Eyes
If you have an arrest under your belt, it is only natural to want to keep it out of the public arena. Both expunctions and nondisclosure can be used to spiff up your record to help ensure that it does not negatively affect your employment prospects, credit scores, professional licensure, and more. While expunction can permanently remove an entry from your criminal record, nondisclosure can hide an offense from the public’s view (though it will remain visible to criminal justice agencies, licensing agencies, and certain government entities). However, both legal processes require exacting efforts that are best attempted with the professional guidance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Call an Experienced Killeen Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you are interested in the possibility of expunction or nondisclosure, attorney Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, has extensive experience helping clients like you successfully seal or expunge their records, and he is committed to also helping you. To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact or call us at 254-501-4040 today.