Federal Criminal Records
When a crime has been committed, it is reported on a criminal record (also known as a rap sheet). These criminal records are kept at a local, state, and federal level, depending on the severity of the crime and where the judgment took place. Federal criminal records often contain information that is not on the state and local reports about crimes relating to immigration, fraud, drugs and weapons charges. The presence of a criminal record in your name can be life altering and so it is important to know what you do if you are charged with a criminal offense and you are worried about you name appearing on the federal criminal records.
Who Looks at Criminal Records
One of the reasons why criminal records are so challenging to overcome is because they usually make it difficult to obtain a job. A potential employer will look at the record and deny you the position based on your history. Even if a perspective employer does not order a criminal background check, he/she will usually obtain your credit report and will be able to see any complications with your criminal report there. The credit report will not usually show much detail, but it will usually cause the employer to seek an actually criminal record and do some more research into your background.
How to Get Mistakes Removed
- Because of how serious a federal criminal record is, it is crucial that you know how to get any mistakes removed. Your first step in obtaining your criminal record to dispute a mistake is to get in touch with the police department to be fingerprinted on a State Applicant Fingerprint Card. This fingerprint card will need to be sent to the state police address with a check for thirty dollars and a letter explaining that you are requesting your record because you wish to dispute a mistake. Make sure to include your name and address where the record can be mailed back to you for your review.
- Once you have received a copy of the criminal record, examine it thoroughly to ensure that you locate all the errors. Next, you need to acquire a copy of the Judgment of Conviction from the court where the judgment was first made. Mail the Judgment of Conviction along with a copy of the criminal record and a letter explaining your situation to the Criminal Record Repository. You will be contacted by the Criminal Record Repository if any further information is required or when the mistakes have been removed from you criminal record.
Getting Legal Help
Removing your name from the federal criminal records is not an easy task and so it is wise to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who will be able to represent your case. The attorney will help make sure that your name is cleared of any faulty charges and that you can move on with your life.
