Criminal Records Check Online

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The Power of a Free Criminal Records Check Online

A Free Criminal Records Check online can reveal a lot of important information about someone. Performing an online criminal records check can help you ensure that you and those around you stay protected, for minimal costs. Whether you want to perform one on someone you trust or someone you don’t know very well, an online criminal records check can reveal a lot about a person. With a criminal records check online you’ll be able to find out the truth about most anyone’s past. You can perform a free criminal records search online by submitting your request in our blog comments below. We will give one free search per person however, if you decide to signup with our member’s area you will have access to unlimited criminal record searches.

Here’s What to Expect from a Criminal Records Check Online

Most online criminal record checks are not free and many of the free searches have limited information. You’ll want to make sure you are using a accredited public records database resource. The information that’s gathered in a criminal records check is obtained from court records, arrest records, police records, civil records and other criminal reporting agencies. You can usually find out the charges and date they were brought forth, sentencing records, jail or prison records and court records. It is important to note that when you check someone’s criminal records you verify that they’re the correct person. Many people have the same first and last name so you’ll want to use a birth date, address or other identifying information to confirm you’ve found the right person.

1 in 4 Americans Have A Criminal Record

1 in 4 Americans have some sort of criminal background, according to Bureau of Justice Statistics. By knowing more about someone through a criminal records check you can protect yourself and your loved ones. After all, you don’t want to put yourself in harm’s way if you don’t have to.

Keep in mind that while this does provide you with a valid starting point, it’s always good to go with your gut when putting your trust into other people. Couple your findings with your natural instinct and you’re sure to make sure that you only surround yourself with those you truly feel comfortable around.

Benefits Of Using A Free Criminal Records Check Online

The internet has brought forth advancements, especially when it comes to doing criminal background checks online. It’s a much more efficient way to find criminal records online than going to the court house or county recorder. It will also ensure that you get the latest information instead of having to rely on outdated records.

When you do decide to do a criminal records search online, go with a trusted public records provider. This will ensures that their help is given when it’s needed. Also make sure that their interface is easy to use to avoid any technical issues during the process.

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Criminal Records Follow Us Around 

Most of us like to believe that once a person who has been convicted of a crime serves their sentence, that they can then begin the process of rebuilding their life and reintegrating into society. However, what many people with convictions quickly find out is that a criminal record can feel like a punishment that never ends. Finding out how long do criminal records last can be a daunting task if you don’t have all the facts about your criminal record. 

 If you have a criminal record, you probably know already how difficult it can be to get a job, apply for a loan, find an apartment, travel abroad, or even go to college. Even a traffic violation could be on your record without you realizing it. Simply put, a criminal record is a huge roadblock on the path towards reintegrating into society and it is a major reason why recidivism rates are so high. That’s why the question of how long a criminal record lasts is so important for so many people. 

So How Long Does a Criminal Record Last For? 

The simple answer is probably the one you don’t want to hear. With very few exceptions, a criminal record lasts forever. It is extremely rare for a conviction on a criminal record to be destroyed entirely. However, that being said, there are ways to get a criminal record expunged or sealed or, in some cases, to receive a pardon for a conviction. While these options are not exactly the same as clearing a criminal record, they have a similar result. 

What is Expungement of Criminal Records? 

 When people talk about clearing their criminal records, they are usually talking about having their records either expunged or sealed. Specific policies on expungements and sealing vary widely from state to state, so be sure to check what your own state’s policies are first. In many states, the terms expungement and sealing are used interchangeably. A record that is expunged or sealed usually means that it is no longer visible to the general public, but it is still visible to law enforcement agencies and other authorized persons. 

 For example, if you are applying for a job that requires a background check but your criminal record has been expunged, then your potential employer will not be able to see any record of the arrests or convictions that have been expunged or sealed. Furthermore, if asked, you can legally say that you have never been arrested or convicted for an offense that you have gotten sealed or expunged. 

 There are exceptions, however. If you are applying for a job that requires a high security clearance, then typically your employer–such as some U.S. government department or a contractor working with the military–will still have access to your expunged records. Furthermore, police can almost always see any previous criminal history you may have, regardless of whether or not it has been expunged or sealed. 

What is a Criminal Record Pardon? 

A pardon is slightly different from an expungement and also much harder to obtain. A pardon essentially says that you have served your time for a specific offense. A person can even be pardoned for a crime that they have yet to be convicted of, essentially meaning they will never have to serve a sentence for that offense. Usually, a pardon does not wipe a record clean, but pardons are also usually available for offenses that otherwise are not eligible for expungement. 

 Because a pardon is so powerful, it is also extremely rare. For federal offenses, the only person who has the authority to issue pardons is the President of the United States. Presidential pardons are extremely rare and obtaining one is nearly impossible. 

 For states, the power to issue pardons is usually held by the governor. In some states, however, a committee appointed by the governor actually decides who will receive a pardon. The rules for a pardon vary considerably from state to state. 

 How to Clear Your Criminal Record 

 Expungement, sealing, and pardon requirements change dramatically from state to state. Not all offenses are eligible for expungement or sealing. While most offenses are usually eligible for pardons, as stated above getting a pardon is usually very hard. Violent crimes, sex crimes, and crimes against children are usually not eligible for expungement. They will stay public on your record forever. The exception is if you were found Not Guilty of such an offense, in which case you can sometimes apply to have the record of the arrest and charge expunged. New Hampshire, for example, allows a person whose case was dismissed or who was found not guilty of any offense to apply for an expungement free of charge. 

 Even if your offense is eligible for expungement, there are usually a number of other eligibility requirements you must meet. Almost every state that grants expungements imposes a waiting period from the time you have completed your sentence to when you can apply for expungement. The waiting period varies not just from state to state, but also depending on the severity of the offense. For example, in California you can apply for expungement of a misdemeanor or felony for which you were granted probation after you have completed all of the terms of your probation. However, if you were convicted of a misdemeanor and denied probation you must wait a year after your conviction. If you were arrested by the police, convicted of a felony and served your sentence in a county jail, then you must wait between one and two years depending on the circumstances of your sentence. If you were sent to state prison, it is much harder to expunge your record, unless you were convicted of a felony that has since been reclassified as a misdemeanor (this is often the case with non-violent drug crimes). 

 Remember that the steps to go about clearing a criminal record are very complicated and will depend on which state you live in. You will first want to check your record and then make sure you research your state’s expungement/sealing laws to understand what options may be available to you. Finding out how long do criminal records last can help you to recover your good name and open new opportunities for you. 

Why Is Your Criminal Record Important? 

Background checks, including a criminal record search, are routinely performed when you apply for a job, seek a security clearance or attempt to rent an apartment. A criminal conviction occurring years ago could be holding you back from pursuing the career or profession you desire. The internet has made it so easy to conduct a criminal record search that couples who are dating can find out about any criminal behavior in each other’s past. Doing your own background check is an excellent way to learn what others can find out about you and alert you to mistakes that you should take steps to correct. Learning , ” How Can I Check My Criminal Record.” can be accomplished very easily online. The first question to ask is do you need an official copy of your criminal record, or an unofficial criminal record for your reference. An official criminal record must be obtained by an  FCRA certified service in order to use it for employment, academic applications, renting a home or security clearances. 

What is in a Criminal Record? 

Commonly referred to as a “rap sheet,” a criminal record or a record of convictions is your criminal history as maintained by agencies of state, local and federal governments. As a general rule, criminal records available upon request of a member of the public provide information about convictions for misdemeanors and felonies. Some records also include arrest information for the 12 months preceding the request and information about a person’s status as a registered sex offender. 

What Is Considered a Criminal Record? 

A violation of the criminal statutes of a particular state or local jurisdiction is usually classified as an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. An offense is a non-criminal violation of the law. For example, a driver who fails to stop for a red light is committing an infraction by violating the state traffic laws and is subject to a fine. The conviction would become part of the individual’s driving record, but it would not leave the person with a criminal record unless the offense was a misdemeanor or a felony as might occur following an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Misdemeanor Criminal Records 

Misdemeanors are more serious violations of the law than is an infraction. Misdemeanors are crimes, so a conviction would give you a criminal record. Simple assault and shoplifting are examples of criminal offenses classified as misdemeanors. If the victim of a simple assault suffers a serious injury, the charge could be upgraded to a felony. 

Felony Criminal Records 

Felonies, such as murder, rape and arson, are serious criminal offenses with penalties that could include imprisonment in a state prison or, in the case of a murder conviction, the death penalty. A felony becomes part of a person’s criminal history available to anyone conducting a background check. 

How Long Do Criminal Records Stay On My Record? 

Under most circumstances, a misdemeanor or felony conviction results in a permanent criminal record. There are, however steps a person can take to seal or expunge a criminal record. The amount of time a criminal record stays on your background check really depends on a multitude of factors. It’s best to contact the clerk of the court to inquire about a specific charge that you may be concerned about.

How Criminal Records Affect Getting a Job 

Most employers routinely conduct background checks before hiring someone for a job. A misdemeanor or felony conviction could cause a potential employer to decide not to offer employment to someone with a criminal record when there are other applicants for the position without criminal histories. 

Another factor influencing how an employer evaluates a job applicant based upon the person’s criminal record has to do with the type of crime. The manager of a retail store might be reluctant to hire a person for a cashier position if the applicant has a criminal record with a theft conviction on it. 

Some states will not grant certain licenses to someone with a felony conviction. For example, a person with a felony conviction could be prevented by the state from obtaining a license to work as a real estate agent or broker. 

How To Get a Criminal Record Removed 

There are procedures, such as expungement, by which a person may request the criminal record removal of a criminal record. However, the decision whether to grant the request is usually left to the discretion of a judge who must be convinced through a written application and evidence, including letters and other documents attesting to the applicant deserving to have the criminal record removed. 

Some states allow for the sealing of a criminal record. As with a request to expunge a record, the applicant must complete a written application with supporting documents that prove the individual is worthy of having the criminal record sealed and made unavailable to the public and law enforcement agencies. 

How Can I Check My Criminal Record 

  1. Some states allow you to obtain a copy of your criminal record by going to the local courthouse to make a request in person. It is much easier to make the request through the website a state has for conducting criminal record searches.
  2. Some states permit you to apply for a criminal record search for a small service charge and view the results online. More detailed searches may be conducted by submitting a copy of your fingerprints to the state agency. The fingerprints are used to conduct a record search.
  3. There are several commercial websites allowing you to conduct criminal record searches and background checks on yourself or on other people. The companies operating the websites charge a service fee to provide access to information obtained from public agency databases. With all the options available, there is more than one method to answer the question, ” How Can I Check My Criminal Record “. 

 


Criminal Record FAQs

How can I check my criminal record?

You can check your criminal record online very easily. Since criminal records are public information you can access them from public record websites online anonymously. Another option is to visit your local police department or hire a private investigator to lookup your criminal past.

Can anyone lookup a criminal record?

Yes, anyone can lookup a public criminal record. An easy way to access criminal records is to us an online public record website. With a simple name search and state of residence, you can access most any criminal record, court record, arrest record, incarcerations and much more. Typically these online resources are fairly inexpensive and your searches are anonymous.

How long do criminal records last?

Criminal records can stay on your record for a few years or for the rest of your life. It depends on the crime that was committed. Infractions will usually drop off your criminal record after a 7 years however misdemeanors and felonies can stay on much longer, and sometimes indefinitely. It is also possible to have some criminal records expunged or sealed so they're no longer on your background report.

Are criminal records public inforamtion?

Yes, most all criminal records are public record except ongoing court cases where an outcome has yet to be determined. Other criminal records that are not public domain include juvenile criminal records, military criminal records and sealed or expunged criminal records.

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Responses to “Criminal Records Check Online

  1. squarryadministrator says:

    If someone runs an FCRA certified employee background check on you then yes, that information is public record. There are possibilities to have some of your older public records expunged if enough time has passed. You will need to consult the clerk of the courts in the county your license revocation occurred.

    How Can I Get a Criminal Record Expunged?

    Criminal records can be expunged if they are non violent felony or misdemeanor charges after an appropriate amount of time has passed. Criminal records where the charges were dismissed or there was an acquittal can also be expunged.

  2. Norene Marie Hyman says:

    I need to know if license revocations are available to the public and the details of the case. this is for me, personally. I want to know if I should continue giving out my
    past employment info or if it might lead to an embarrassing situation. thank you

  3. squarryadministrator says:

    You might consider performing a criminal record search through both resources. A criminal record check through a public record website will have a listing of criminal records of a sexual offender but not necessarily the current location or a current mugshot.There might be more detailed information listed on a sexual offender registry. This additional information might include the address of the sexual offender, the mugshots and contact information for local law enforcement. You can visit the Department of Justice website, Natinal Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). You can use their Free Sexual Offender Search Tool. You an lookup sexual offenders by name or by location.

    How To Lookup Sexual Offenders In Your Neighborhood

    1. Visit the Department of Justice NSOPW website
    2. Search for sexual offenders by name or location
    3. Refine your search by address and zip code
    4. View registered sex offender addresses & mugshots
    5. Contact police if you feel a crime has been committed

  4. S. Kottman says:

    Does criminal checks include information on sexual offender? If not, do I check the sexual offender registry?

  5. squarryadministrator says:

    Wade,

    There is a range of criminal record information that can be obtained online from various criminal record databases. Some websites focus on a few of these where others, like SearchQuarry.com, that offers the full gambit of criminal record reports. See below what criminal records can be obtained online.

    Criminal Records Available Online

    Criminal History
    • Arrest Records
    • Court Records
    • Police Records
    • Active Warrants
    • Incarceration Records
    • Driving Records
    Traffic Citations
    Misdemeanors
    Felonies
    • Infractions
    • Jail & Prison Records
    DUIs

  6. Wade Owen says:

    Am I able to access someone’s criminal record online through any online background check company if the record in question was created in Wyoming?

  7. squarryadministrator says:

    Efrain,

    We can certainly help you with a Criminal Records Search and verify your public records. Follow the criminal records check instructions below

    How Can I Get a Free Copy of My Criminal Record

    1. Enter your first and last name and state of residence
    2. Select the correct name from the list
    3. View criminal background report online
    4. Results may include: criminal history, arrests, incarcerations & court records

  8. Efrain Ayabarreno says:

    Is my personal record, I need some reminder of my record

  9. squarryadministrator says:

    Aiden, the criminal records we show for Omar Cervantes is a DUI and driving without a valid license from 2017. There are associated arrest and misdemeanor charges from Tift county Georgia. We also show a Georgia inmate ID: 224069. We hope this helps.

  10. Aiden Blaikie says:

    unfortunately i do not have his middle name i do have everything else though is that Ok he lives in Atlanta Georgia he is around 34-39 years old and his name is Omar Cervantes thank you for trying so hard to find Omar Cervantes we really need this he is most likely Arrested Sincerly Aiden Blaikie

  11. squarryadministrator says:

    Aiden, we can run a check on Omar if you give us his full name, middle included, his age and state of residence. We will run a search through our criminal records database for you

  12. Aiden Blaikie says:

    Hi me and my dad has known his friend Omar Cervantes for almost 13 year and now something has happened we brought him on vacation with him and after that we never heard from him again that was sep 2022 we think he got deported or arrested becuase he would not just stop talk to us out of no where so we just want to find out if he went to jail or got deported so do you think you could help us find out what happened to our friend Omar Cervantes sincerly Aiden Blaikie

  13. lenora e bell says:

    My name is Lenora E Bell DOB 06/25/56 I have lived in Van Nuys and San Fernando ca I would like to get a free criminal record/report and please tell me how to pull it up when it is done

  14. squarryadministrator says:

    Elias, we’re happy to assist you with your criminal background record inquiry. Can you give us your full name and date of birth so we can research this for you?

  15. elias santiago says:

    Looking for work need to know my criminal background record

  16. squarryadministrator says:

    Morgan, you’ll want to reach out to the agency that you paid the fee to for your criminal record inquiry. Please let us know if there is a specific public record we can assist you with looking up

  17. Morgan Louis Lynn Adams says:

    Has my criminal history been archived yet? I requested and paid a fee on 8/18/2022. Urgently need this process to be completed for the start of school, as a Substitute Teacher.

  18. Sphelele says:

    I want to know about my criminal background

  19. squarryadministrator says:

    Saran, we are here to help. If you give us the full name of the person in question and their age or date of birth and state of residence, we can run a criminal background check for you

  20. sarah says:

    Looking to do a background check on someone that is regularly around my daughter. Would like the free check.

  21. squarryadministrator says:

    Scott, we can certainly assist you with your criminal record search. Please give us your full name, including your middle name, and date of birth so we can confirm we are looking up the correct background criminal history report for you

  22. Scott James Madsen says:

    I’d like to check my own history and arrest records. I though I had my record expunged, but I want to find out what is still on my records. I’d like to see if my record is clear enough so I can pass an FBI background check. Since I cannot remember details from 30 years ago, I’d like to pull up as much as possible.

    The records would have been from California, I currently live in Idaho.

    I may sign up for your service, because I don’t know anyone up here and I’m hiring people to work on my property. BTW Is there a way to pay for individual searches or a traunch of dearches?

    Sincerely,

    Scott Madsen

  23. squarryadministrator says:

    John, for this circumstance you will need an official transcript of this person’s criminal history. You can contact the Omaha, Nebraska court clerk where his criminal convictions took place and obtain the necessary documentation you’re requesting. Our criminal record resources are for online reference only.

  24. John Wells says:

    My ex has a new boyfriend who is supposed to have a felony domestic violence conviction in Omaha Nebraska. He has a current PPO out on him in Mason County Michigan for assaulting his girlfriend and I need documentation to keep him away from my kids. His name is Daniel Arthur Harris DOB 02/04/1986

  25. Debra Lynn Deti says:

    I am trying to fill out a HUD application. They want to know all of my conditions, and also traffic violations. Can you help me with that please.

  26. Alicia N. Harmon says:

    Please send me a free background check for myself, Alicia N. Harmon, age 50. I am applying for naturalization as an Irish citizen and need to report all previous addresses, offenses, financial defrauding, and convictions.

  27. squarryadministrator says:

    Devon, we ran a New York criminal record search for you and found a criminal record related to a controlled substance charge from many years ago but nothing recent that we can find

  28. devon says:

    need a criminal report on my self Devon Gethers New York nasasfinest@gmail.com

  29. squarryadministrator says:

    Kristina, we are happy to run a criminal background check if you provide us with your full name, age and state of residency

  30. kristina howard says:

    free check

  31. squarryadministrator says:

    Lori, that is information that we won’t have in our criminal record check resources unfortunately. That being said, you can visit the Department of Corrections website in the state this person is locked up in and perform a name search to inquire about his status

  32. lori boardman says:

    Hi im trying to get a link on my ex partner hes in forest bank prison great Manchester please I want to see if hes been sent down or remand

  33. squarryadministrator says:

    Sadie, if you provide us with the full name of the person you would like to run a criminal record check on, as well as their age and state of residence, we are happy to provide you with one free criminal record search

  34. Sadie says:

    Hello, I would like to try your Guy\’s free one time online criminal record search. I do plan to subscribe, if it really is as detailed as was described.

  35. squarryadministrator says:

    Tammie, we are happy to run a criminal record check for you but we’ll need Jason’s full name, including middle, his age and state of residency so that we can make sure we’re looking at the correct criminal record for the right person

  36. Tammie Sears says:

    My daughter has been missing for awhile now last known person she was seen leaving with is jason prias and I’m just trying to find out who this person is an if I should be worried please help

  37. squarryadministrator says:

    Sandy, we’re happy to assist you with a Criminal Record Search. We’ll just need the full name, age and state of residence of the person in question. We will let you know what is in their criminal history. If you’re interested in downloading a PDF report of this person’s criminal record then you can sign up with our premium membership and have a criminal history report for the person you want to lookup.

  38. Sandy Hockett says:

    I would like to get a free criminal record of someone close. Can you please help me ?

  39. squarryadministrator says:

    Tracey, can we assist you with a criminal record check? If so please provide us with your full name, age and state of residency for us and we’ll do some research for you.

  40. squarryadministrator says:

    Hailey, we are happy to assist you with one free Criminal record check however, if you need to run multiple background checks you should sign up with our premium membership. For less than $20/month you can run unlimited background checks on anyone and totally anonymously.

  41. Hailey Coburn says:

    I need to do a background check on family friends due to possible endangerment

  42. squarryadministrator says:

    We ran NateSstukel through our North Dakota criminal record database and did not find anything for this person

  43. Victoria Konvalin says:

    Want to do free search on nate stukel, south dakota

  44. squarryadministrator says:

    Steve, we’re happy to run a free background check for you but we’ll need to know.

  45. Steve Carmody says:

    need a free background report please

  46. squarryadministrator says:

    Katie, thank you for reaching out about our Criminal Records blog. We searched the person in question and found they have a few Washington state criminal records for a Cory Alan Slater. There is a Washington Child Assault charge, from 2017, which is a 3rd degree charge where negligence and/or bodily harm were factors. There is also a Criminal Charge listed as having communication with a minor for immoral purposes, but we don’t have the specifics on this second criminal charge.

  47. Katie says:

    I please need my free criminal records check on a Cory Alan Slater, 35 years old and resides in Kingston, Poulsbo, Silverdale or Bremerton all in the State of Washington. His mother\’s name is Nena LeFrance if that helps. Thank you!

  48. squarryadministrator says:

    Marilyn, we ran a criminal record check for Ram Rakha and found there are a multitude of criminal records from the last several years. We don’t see any active warrants but this person does have a long criminal record history.

  49. Marilyn says:

    Hello. I was at first a bit confused by this question of is it free or is it NOT free…but then, b4 going postal- as I see some folks here have done, I DECIDED TO DELVE IN AND READ WHAT THERE IS TO READ HERE, AND CLEARLY you guys get unduly hassled a lot because people I think, are rushed&there is much here to read, and maybe lazy thereby not being informed because they did not take the time to see that you seem very light to me and so I myself, having said all THAT, hope you will help me with my free report. NAME: Ram Raka. 64 years old born 10/27/55. ADDRESS:112 Ruby Ct Hercules Ca 94547. Married to Ginette M Rakha. He, also there are traces of him in Mayflower Ar. I\’m quite desperate to know how bad this guy is. I look forward to your response. Please HURRY

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Please be aware that the information obtained using SearchQuarry.com searches may not always be accurate and up to date as we do not create, verify, or guarantee the accuracy or the amount of information provided through our service. Data availability is largely dependent on various public sources from which the information is aggregated. SearchQuarry.com is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by Fair Credit Reporting Act and should not be used to determine an individual’s eligibility for personal credit or employment, or to assess risk associated with any business transactions such as tenant screening. By using the services offered through this website you agree to comply with all of the conditions set forth in our terms and privacy disclosure. The information obtained from our searches is not to be used for any unlawful purposes such as stalking or harassing others, or investigating public officials or celebrities. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal litigation and penalties. All searches are subject to our terms and applicable laws.