Does law enforcement have access to expunged records ?
Hence, it is very important to get such criminal arrest records expunged. Expunction of criminal arrest records is possible only through orders issued by the court of law. Expunction means termination of criminal records in favor of the accused. However, all the expunged records are maintained in the central criminal information database. Database on criminal justice is extremely confidential information that is maintained by NCIC under strict regulations. Access to the database is restricted and is only granted to criminal justice agencies, non-criminal justice agencies authorized by the federal or state statute, individuals having specific agreement with the criminal justice agency, court officials, a county or district’s clerk office and other law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement officers can dig up the expunged records of an individual for the purpose of investigating a criminal case, prosecution or sentencing, only if the person is under suspicion. However, this should be don
