Publicly searchable online databases that provide information about individuals’ past criminal convictions can be convenient tools for employers, parents or anyone doing a background check. life__s_2_short_to_be_a_hater_by_jubilantkinds
However, critics say that record-keeping mistakes and a lack of context can mislead users. The databases can also make it harder for a convict who’s served his or her sentence to start anew.

Conviction, Charge, Sentence, Venue
Vermont‘s system, which costs $20 to query one person‘s records, includes data on criminal convictions dating to the 1940‘s.
All you need to make an inquiry is a person‘s name and date of birth, and a credit card to pay the fee. If the query finds a record, the system lists the date of conviction, charge, sentence and venue. It won‘t display the original charge filed, or give information about the victim or the circumstances of the crime. According to officials, there are inaccessible records that have been obliterated or sealed.
Agencies that deal with“vulnerable populations“ i.e. children, senior, the disabled, can use the database for free, avoiding what is now a seven-ten day waiting period for the same information through the mail.

Critics: Not Enough Context
The online system give only a slice of information about a case compared to the courthouse. The court records give you a better understanding about what happened and what’s behind the conviction. It would give the person whose record you’re looking at a chance to have the full story explained rather than just the end result.

The problem with some of these services is that they do not provide a true picture concerning the person. There may be other arrests that were made at the time, but in the interest of justice or in plea bargains, these cases get dismissed.

Placing the records online also exposes people and potentially states – to harm or liability if there are mistakes. An Executive Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Centre stated that it’s denying someone employment opportunities especially when it’s the wrong person. The state bears the responsibility for accurate data.

The only way to ensure (getting the right person‘s record check) is a fingerprint search. Most states charge a fee for the service. Some make available all the records on file in a case, including the original charge, even if it‘s not what the person was convicted of.