Criminal Record - Your Questions Answered
There are probably not that many people who set out with the intention of gaining a criminal record. That being said there are some that seem to gravitate towards owning a very colorful record that reflects their past misdeeds. Some gain criminal records when they are still juveniles for doing miscellaneous deeds that gain them the attention of the law. Others inadvertently make mistakes and now have a criminal record to show for their mistakes. Sometimes these records can prevent them from being employed or even from renting a place to stay. It is definitely a case of your past coming back to haunt you.
You may have some questions about criminal records and if so this article is for you.
What is a criminal record?
A criminal record is a file that contains any misdoings that a person has committed. These misdoings can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Criminal records can be from juvenile record to an adult record. Every broken law is recorded so that the state and national authorities are aware of what the past is of the criminal. You can basically look at it as a detailed recording of your life where the law is concerned. It is not something to be taken lightly or ignored in some cases.
Who is in charge of a criminal record?
There are several agencies that are responsible for maintaining different types of records here in the United States. The Department of Justice has a database just for criminal records. The NCIC is the National Crime Information Center. It is a repository for all federal records and works in conjunction with state and local officials to update the information.
Many state and local authorities will have a database of their own that they use. These records may be individually kept in local country offices in a database or may be contributed to a statewide database. That way the information on local criminal activity is kept at a finger’s touch.
Can a job discriminate due to me having a criminal record?
Most job applications have an area where you are to check whether or not you have a felony conviction. Many jobs are now requiring you to mention if you have a misdemeanor as well. Jobs are not supposed to discriminate based on any information but there will be some jobs that you may not be able to obtain with a criminal record. If you have a DUI on your record, you may not be able to obtain a job in the transportation industry. If you are a known bank robber you can probably count out a bank job.
If I have a criminal record, can I still own a firearm?
That question depends largely on the type of criminal record you possess, what you were convicted for and where you live. In Washington State you cannot own a firearm or be in possession of a firearm if you are a convicted felon. Most parole regulations state that a person on parole cannot be in possession of a firearm. To do so would be an automatic violation of parole and you could be sent back to prison. You have to check the laws of your state when you go to fill out the application for a firearm. It is far better to be told "No" then to take the chance and possess a firearm without a license.
By Legal Editor
