Have you had the misfortune of being arrested for some or the other reason? If yes, do you have your Arrest Record? Remember, it is crucial that you request for your Arrest Record from your local police agency.
Why do you need your Arrest Record?
Many a times, it is difficult to gain employment after a past arrest. The reason being, an employer sometimes gains access to such records. This is especially unwarranted if you were acquitted or freed of all charges. It is important to give a clear picture to your prospective employer about the nature of your arrest and the conclusion of the same. In case you do not possess the Arrest Record, it would be difficult to convince your employer and that can be detrimental to your career. The records that can be accessed are not always updated and hence your employer would need a better validation from you.
Why are updated records not found?
An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 names are added to the government database of arrests on a daily basis. Over the past few years, thousands of names have been added to this list. Given the volume of additions, the updates are not done regularly. This means, even if a person is acquitted and charges are dropped from his name, his record in the database may not reflect it.
Where are arrest records available?
In states like Vermont, arrest records are open to the public. However, it is restricted to access if any investigation is going on. Ohio and Arkansas also allow access to arrest records.
The state of Texas has a different way of giving access to records. Here, general arrest sheets are allowed. Arrest Records, as well as personal histories, are exempted from disclosure.
What is the difference between Arrest Records and Criminal Records?
Arrest Records differ from Criminal Records. Arrest Records indicate arrests done for specific activities but do not mean the person is guilty or convicted. Criminal Records show that the person is already convicted and has been declared guilty of the crimes.
What does an Arrest Record contain?
An Arrest Record usually contains details of the person’s arrest vis-a-vis the following:
1. Violence
2. Business Related wrong doings
3. Theft or Robbery
4. Drugs or alcohol-related crimes
Etc.
Who can access Arrest Records?
The Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to request for Arrest Records or any other public records from the government. The information requested can include arrest and relevant details as also matters such as pending cases, criminal activities, and convictions. If any arrest is leading close to conviction, some states might restrict access to such information.
Conclusion
An Arrest Record is a crucial piece of information, both for the person who has been arrested in the past and for the person who needs to access it for employment purpose. It is therefore important to ensure that the record is updated and collected from the police agency.