Information Contained in Massachusetts Criminal Records

Massachusetts criminal records chronicle detailed crime data recorded over the years. Going through the Massachusetts criminal records and statistics, you would find that the state boasts marginal crime rates as compared to the other states in the United States of America. The latest statistics for the year 2000 provided by the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Report suggests that it had a crime index of 3,026.1 reported criminal offenses per 100,000 people, ranking it the 42nd highest crime index. While crime against property tops the chart in all index calculations from 2000 to 2008, violent or aggressive crimes rate the lowest.

A detailed search on Massachusetts criminal records is normally used to ensure personal as well as professional safety and security. It is also good to stay updated with the law and order situation of state. Employers should check out their potential employees to see whether they have a criminal background or not. Massachusetts criminal records enables employee screening along with tenant screening, as well private investigation options.

These records are available with various safety enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Police Force and Bar Council of Criminal Courts. The criminal records are forwarded by the county, state and local courts to a centralized repository which can be accessed at http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopshomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eeops .

Apart from these you can also find details about various cases in prison systems, federal government sanctions, sexual predator lists, vendor databases and watch lists.

Classification of Criminal Records

Records are maintained in various state archives and are classified depending on the severity and the intensity of the crime committed. These also provide the status of various cases. Records of correctional measures are maintained with the case history of the offender. The Massachusetts criminal records hence can be broadly classified into the following three categories:

•    Arrest records
•    Correction records
•    Criminal records

What Can We Find in Online Public Records?

Massachusetts criminal records are available freely and provide information on individuals:

•    Serving a sentence of incarceration or probation
•    Who have been arrested and released on account of misdemeanor or petty issues
•    Who are in the custody of the parole board
•    Who have been penalized for violating parole
•    Who have been sent to correctional homes and rehabilitation centers

Requests for Massachusetts Criminal Records

Requests for online criminal records are absolutely free. However, some agencies levy request charges on each form that may vary from $10 to $30. Most of the online information is based on a name search. However, some government agencies also demand Social Security numbers, case numbers, or dates of birth. These details make the search easier. You might also be required to fill the county, city and postal code for a list of offenders in a particular geographical area.

Requests can also be mailed to different criminal record agencies. However, it must also be remembered that searching and screening of this data would require some time.

The appropriate place for reliable information and authentic searches for Massachusetts criminal records are the government and law enforcement agency websites. You can search under various subjects like Massachusetts crime statistics, inmate search, sex offender information, fugitives, criminal history checks, missing and exploited children and missing adults information.