How Long Does a Crime Stay on a Police Record?

Many people make the mistake of breaking the law every day, but not many of those individuals realize how much having those crimes on their record will affect their future.

Loss Of Rights

• Having a criminal record can severely restrict your rights and privileges as an American citizen. In some cases, those with a criminal record are prohibited from being able to vote. As of 2010, there are 14 states in America that revoke the right to vote for all convicted felons. A criminal record can prevent you from being granted certain types of security clearances and prevent you from getting a career in law enforcement or teaching.

Length of Time

• The approximate length of time a particular conviction will remain on your permanent record fluctuates from state to state. The category of the offense committed plays a large role in determining how long the conviction is on record. Felonies and misdemeanors will remain on an individual's record until they are expunged. In many cases, convicted felons can never have their records sealed or expunged, so the crime is on record permanently.

Expunging A Record

• The process to have a criminal charge or conviction expunged from your record also varies from state to state. The process begins with the individual convicted of a crime petitioning the state criminal justice system. Factors that play into whether or not the conviction is removed from the official record include the amount of time that has passed between the conviction and the request for expungement, the number of prior convictions, completed terms of sentencing and whether or not the individual is currently crime-free.