Criminal Records Quiz

Do you have a rap sheet? We may not all have aliases, but according to the FBI, 6.5 % of the U.S. population has a felony record, and one in 15 people have gone to prison at some point. Find out how much you know about who and how criminal records can be found.

How long do U.S. criminal records typically stay active for an adult?

Ten years from the date of the last arrest

Criminal records are expunged every 25 years

For life

You chose: You chose:

For most adults, once they have a criminal record it will stay with them for the rest of their life.

Which of these items are typically included in a criminal record?

Known aliases, DNA hair sample, and current address

Date of birth, outstanding arrest warrants, and a mug shot

Physical description, family history, and dates of arrest/conviction

You chose: You chose:

Typically, criminal records include the following: Name, Date of birth, Known aliases (other names used by that person), Physical description, Current address, Type of crime, Outstanding arrest warrants, Dates of arrests or convictions, Fingerprint data, Mug shot (photo taken at the time of the arrest). DNA evidence is not part of most criminal records; in some areas of the U.S., it is illegal to gather DNA from a suspect unless it is collected as part of an active investigation.

True or False: Criminal records contain traffic violations and convictions.

True

False

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Criminal records hold information only about crimes or arrests for crimes and do not include traffic convictions. So, if you're worried about that time you were ticketed for going 35 in a 25 mph zone, don't sweat it. If you paid the ticket, you don't have a criminal record. Not for that incident, anyway.

What is the difference between expungement and sealing of criminal records?

Sealed records can be re-opened; expunged records cannot.

Expunged records are still available in states that prohibit expungement; sealed records are not.

Expunged records are physically destroyed; sealed records are not.

There is no difference between sealed and expunged records. The terms are interchangeable.

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When a record is sealed, it is simply made unavailable to the general public. When a record is expunged, it is physically destroyed, and related information is manually deleted from all files.

True or False: Potential employers can access your criminal records through the Interstate Identification Index, or III.

True

False

Both true and false; it depends on what level security clearance the potential employer has.

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The III mainly includes crimes such as felonies (murder, rape and grand larceny) as well as serious misdemeanors (robbery, assault, etc). Use of this database is not permitted for employment checks by private citizens and is strictly for the use of justice agencies throughout the U.S. A person is only entered into this database when the FBI obtains fingerprint data.

What kinds of traffic offenses are recorded in the National Driver Registry?

DUIs, accidents resulting in the totaling of a vehicle by insurers, and citations received when a minor is in the vehicle.

DUIs, Fatal Accidents, and Perjury (Lying) about operation of a motor vehicle.

There is no National Driver Registry. Traffic offenses are only recorded on a local/state level.

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Although criminal records do not include traffic offenses, there is a separate national database for serious traffic offenses. The National Driver Register is managed by the Department of Transportation and includes information about convictions involving suspended licenses, DUIs (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol), failure to help someone at the scene of an accident, fatal accidents, or perjury (lying) about the operation of a motor vehicle. These records are accessible by employers about potential employees who will be driving as part of their job responsibility.

Which type of felony conviction can NOT be used to discriminate against you when seeking employment, public housing, and other benefits?

Felony fraud convictions

Felony drug use convictions

Felony sex offense convictions

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Under state and national law, you can be discriminated against because of your record. A person with a criminal record is not considered to be in what is called a protected class -- a group of people that cannot be discriminated against because of their membership in the class. You can be refused a job, excluded from public housing and in general treated differently because of a criminal record. The only exception to this rule is that a person who has a felony for drug use may not be discriminated against because of that conviction.

Under what circumstances may a juvenile be tried as an adult?

When the juvenile has no parent or parental guardian

When the crime committed is very serious, such as murder or rape

When there is no juvenile court in the suspect's county

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Sometimes, a juvenile is tried as an adult. This usually happens when the crime committed is very serious, such as murder or rape. When a juvenile is tried as an adult, he or she is sent to a regular adult court. The court decides the case, and if there's a conviction, it's entered on the person's record as an adult offense.

When can a juvenile record be kept open, versus being sealed when the juvenile reaches the age of 18?

When another crime has been committed

When the juvenile has been declared mentally incompetent

When a parent or parental guardian requests to keep the record open

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Juvenile records are usually sealed once the person reaches age 18, as long as he or she has not committed another crime. Once sealed, the record remains in existence but is not available to anyone but law enforcement or the courts. This allows the young person to have a fresh start as an adult. However, if another crime has been committed, the record can be kept open. Sealing of criminal records at 18 does not apply if the juvenile has been tried as an adult.

Under what circumstances must a criminal record be checked?

When a person applies to adopt or purchase a dangerous animal, such as a pit bull.

When a person applies to buy a firearm.

When a person files a tax return for the first time.

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Criminal records must be checked when a person applies to buy a firearm. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is the database used to screen potential firearm buyers. A person who has been indicted for a crime with a penalty of more than one year in prison is ineligible to purchase a gun.

Um...Not so much.

Let's hope you never need to know this stuff! Take a breather and try again. Or clear out the cobwebs with another quiz.

Writing Credit: Brette Sember, HowStuffWorks.com

Not bad!

You may know a bit about criminal records, but how organized is your closet? Just kidding! Try your luck at another ID quiz now.

Writing Credit: Brette Sember, HowStuffWorks.com

Nice job!

You're practically an expert on criminal records. Try a few other quizzes and see if you can keep it up!

Are you ready for another round?

True Crime with Aphrodite Jones

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