When you want to find someone’s arrest records, you first need to figure out if it’s something that’s even possible. So, are arrest records public? The short answer is yes, but it depends on the situation, when the crime was committed, and whether or not it has been expunged. Moreover, some records are kept private during active investigations.
As you can see, there’s a lot to learn, but the good news is that we have your back. In this guide, we cover what arrest records are, whether or not they’re available to the public, and how to find them. Read on to learn more.
What Are Arrest Records?
First and foremost, it helps to understand what arrest records are. Simply put, arrest records are a collection of records associated with someone’s arrest. These records tend to include details about the arrest, like when and where it happened, along with details about the individual and type of crime.
More often than not, arrest records are a small part of someone’s larger criminal record picture. For this reason, it helps to leverage tools that enable you to find all of these records in one place.
Are Arrest Records Public?
Yes, arrest records are public records. You’ll find that they’re available to the public, and if you know where to look, you shouldn’t have any issues finding them. The only time that arrest records are not available to the public is if the record has been expunged.
These records may also be difficult to find if no conviction was reached after the arrest was made.
What Information About Arrests Can You Find in Public Records?
You can find a lot of information about arrests in public records. In fact, you can find almost every detail about a crime; the only exception is if it puts victims at risk, which is more common for child crimes, domestic cases, and sex crimes.
Information you can find about arrests in public records includes:
- Full name of the person who was arrested.
- Details about the crime.
- When a crime occurred.
- Where a crime occurred.
- Information about the arresting officer.
- Body cam footage (accessibility is limited depending on the department and state).
- Where someone was held in jail.
- Information about warrants that led to an arrest.
As you can see, you can find a lot of information about a crime from arrest records.
Do Arrest Records Show Up on Background Checks?
Yes and no. Typically, arrest records will show up during the background check process. While this may be the case, arrest records may only show up during background checks for five to seven years, at least, for many non-violent crimes.
This is due to the fact that the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) places limits on how far back someone can look during a background check. However, every state is unique, so make sure you check local laws to learn more.
How to Find Public Arrest Records
Are you ready to find public arrest records? If so, there are a few online tools you can leverage to get the job done. Learn about the best options below.
1. Information.com
The best way to find public arrest records is to leverage a tool like Information.com. With this tool, you’ll have no problem discovering everything you need to know about someone’s criminal history. All you need to get started is someone’s first and last name, and you can narrow the results from there.
The best part about Information.com is that you’ll find a lot more than arrest records. You’ll find all of someone’s criminal records and additional public information within one comprehensive report. This makes it easy to find all the information you need in one convenient location.
2. Local Courts and Police Agencies
If you need to find arrest records for someone and you know where the arrest was made (the county or town), you can source these records from police stations, sheriff’s offices, and local courthouses. Some of these agencies have online tools you can use, while others require mail, email, or in-person visits.
3. FBI Databases
Looking for arrest records for federal crimes? The FBI crime database can help. You can find all federal criminal records in one location. Therefore, it’s a great resource to leverage if you want to find someone’s federal criminal history, especially if someone has committed crimes in multiple states.
Are Arrest Records Public? The Verdict
So, are arrest records public? Ultimately, yes, arrest records are public. The only time they’re not available to the public is if the record has been expunged or sealed. If no conviction was reached in court, this may happen automatically. To check someone’s arrest record, make sure you leverage Information.com to find what you need in one place.
