criminal record

A criminal record (not to be confused with a police record or arrest record) is a record of a person's criminal convictions history. The information included in a criminal record, and the existence of a criminal record, varies between countries and even between jurisdictions within a country. In most cases it lists all non-expunged criminal offences and may also include traffic offences such as speeding and drunk driving. In most countries, a criminal record is limited to unexpunged and unexpired actual convictions (where the individual has pleaded guilty or been found guilty by a qualified court, resulting in the entry of a conviction), while in some it can also include arrests, charges dismissed, charges pending and charges of which the individual has been acquitted.

A criminal history may be relevant for international travel, and for the charging and sentencing of persons who commit additional criminal offenses. They are also used by potential employers, lenders, and others to assess a person's trustworthiness. Criminal records may also be stored on national databases or crime information centers, where they can be viewed internationally via Interpol.