Why are arrest records not released to the public?

Some states choose not to make arrest records readily available to the public due to perceived risks in releasing such information. For example, arrest records may be highly prejudicial to the arrestee. Arrest records may not indicate that charges were expunged, that the arrestee was never charged with a crime or that the defendant was acquitted.

What’s the difference between being arrested and being released without charge?

It is this timing that makes the difference between being ‘ de-arrested ’ and ‘ released without charge ’.

What happens when someone is arrested but not charged in California?

In California, for example, when someone has been arrested but not charged, the arrest is to be deemed a “detention” for all purposes; law enforcement is supposed to alter its records accordingly and the detainee is entitled to a certificate describing the arrest as a detention.

What happens to a suspect who is released without charge?

A suspect who is released without charge will have endured a (possibly quite lengthy) investigative process. The search and questioning of the suspect is, like the arrest of a potential suspect, governed closely by both legislation, PACE and the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and by other Codes of Practice supplementing PACE.

Can a person be arrested and released without charges?

This raises a question of whether a person could still be charged in the future. In these situations, there are many reasons why someone may be arrested and released from jail without charges. If this happens, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be charged in the future.

Is it true that all arrest records are official?

All of the arrest records we display in our reports are from trusted sources and are official records. Therefore, you can stay safe and know that you are not receiving faulty information, misleading you on a person’s arrest record history.

What happens when no criminal charges are filed?

People avoid arrest, speak with an officer and are not arrested, or are arrested and taken to jail but then released after 72 hours because no criminal charges were filed. Many hope that no charges filed means they might be off the hook.

Do you know the full name of the person arrested?

The arrest records display the entire name of the individual who was arrested. By being able to determine the full name, you can avoid mistaking an arrest of someone else under the same name.