What is a criminal record?

• A. A permanent record of breaking the law, which is public information
• B. A temporary report on police activity
• C. A record of employment history
• D. A medical record

Answer: (A)

A criminal record is the official, long-lasting log of a person’s involvement with the criminal justice system. It records events like arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences, and is kept by police and courts. Because it tracks serious legal history, it is typically accessible through background checks and other public or semi-public records, which is why it’s often described as public information. It isn’t just a temporary report on police activity, and it isn’t a record of employment history or a medical file. In many places there are ways to limit or seal access to a criminal record after certain conditions are met, but in general it represents the person’s criminal history over time.