The criminal record is a report obtained from law enforcement agencies and 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:
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.
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.)
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.(It should be noted that different states classify crimes differently. One state's misdemeanor may be another state's felony. )
Civil cases, such as lawsuits between individuals or corporations and bankruptcies, are not included on the criminal record
