What do Criminal Records searched by County Include?
The criminal record is a report obtained from county courthouses listing all criminal offenses committed by an individual during a given period of time. Offenses which are found on the criminal record fall into the following three categories: (1) Traffic Offenses: Normally, the only traffic offenses that show on a criminal record would be serious offenses such as “driving under the influence” or “hit and run” violations. (2) Misdemeanors: Usually considered a less serious or minor offense, the misdemeanor is a crime punishable by incarceration, typically in a local confinement facility. The maximum incarceration period is usually limited to one year or less. (A few states classify a misdemeanor as an offense carrying a sentence of two or even five years) (3) Felonies: These offenses are considered more serious than the previous two categories. Typically, a felony carries a penalty of incarceration from one year to life in a state prison, to the death penalty.
