Today it is possible to remove information about a criminal record from the Ministry of Internal Affairs database, but an ordinary citizen rarely knows exactly how to do this. And the presence of past mistakes can seriously poison people’s lives, even if they have already been punished for them and thus atone for their guilt. Most often, problems arise if a person wants to get a job, and the employer wants to check him for a criminal record. Trying to obtain a weapons license, obtaining a loan or a visa to travel to another country can also become problematic.
If previously it was possible to find out about a criminal record by simply opening a person’s passport, where a special mark was placed that was difficult to remove, today this practice has changed. Information is indicated exclusively in the official database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and this information can be obtained if the database in question is opened and the person’s last name is entered. Typically, such a check is carried out by employers who hire a person for a position with fairly high responsibility. Since a person with a criminal record cannot occupy certain positions, information about her cannot be removed.
Sometimes the job application form asks whether the applicant has a criminal record. This is the maximum that an employer can do, since without the employee’s written consent, he cannot search for information about a criminal record in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database. But the applicant himself can indicate whether he was convicted or not, as well as whether all encumbrances were removed from him.
What restrictions does a criminal record impose in 2021?
Information about a criminal record is confidential, but it cannot be said that it does not impose certain restrictions on a citizen. In particular, this concerns his activities. Including labor.
For example, if a person has a criminal record, he cannot work in any position in a government agency unless it is removed from him. The list of “prohibited” organizations includes the mayor’s office, the cadastre and more. Also, such an employee will not be welcome in law enforcement agencies such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, various security companies, and the courts. Some organizations, enterprises and others may not accept an employee with a criminal record. For example, in children's educational institutions, development centers where work with children and adolescents is required.
There are also limitations in terms of training. In particular, former convicts will not be able to obtain an education at law faculties and a number of universities. The chances of getting a position in the army or buying/storing weapons are significantly limited (legally purchasing even a small pistol will become an almost impossible task).
The movement of a person with a criminal record is also significantly limited, not only to other countries on a visa, but even within Russia. This is why many people want to expunge or annul their criminal record, because even at first glance, it seems that the restrictions are not critical, they make life much more difficult. Especially when applying for a job.
The difference between removing and extinguishing the walker
Removal and expungement of a criminal record - what is the difference? The similarity of meanings is obvious - we are talking about getting rid of restrictions caused by a criminal record. Both options for avoiding consequences are impossible when the penalty is being served . Differences in concepts are established by Art. , , UK:
- Part one art. 86 - repayment is the automatic end of the period of the criminal record procedure upon termination of the period fixed by law. No special regulations are required in this regard.
- Art. 84 - early withdrawal under amnesty, Art. 85 - in connection with the pardon. Shares are carried out by court decision.
- Part 5 art. 86 takes into account the elimination of a criminal record in order to reward the convicted person for good behavior. If a citizen released from prison has no violations of the regime, the consequences will be removed from him ahead of schedule.
In the latter case, to initiate the process, you need to submit a petition to the court, whereas when expunging a criminal record, the action occurs automatically .
If at the hearing it is revealed that the applicant was brought into custody while a sanction for an offense was in effect, the court will not agree with the early expungement of the criminal record.
Cancellation of a criminal record
Information about a criminal record can be canceled because it is temporary, but it will not be possible to remove the mark. The legal consequences of a criminal record are also not lifelong, but there is a period during which the designated restrictions still continue to affect a person’s life. As soon as this period ends, the criminal record is annulled, and all critical factors cease to apply.
The law clearly states how a criminal record can be terminated. To familiarize yourself with these conditions, open Article 86 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. It states that a criminal record can be terminated if it is expunged or if it is withdrawn.
If everything is more or less clear with repayment, since it occurs automatically and there is no need to go to court, then with annulment it is not so simple. The timing of annulment depends on several factors, but the most important is the severity of the offense committed by the person:
- in the case of a suspended sentence, the restriction is lifted when the probationary period expires;
- if the crime committed was of minor or moderate gravity - after three years, starting from the day the sentence ends;
- if the crime was of a serious nature, the criminal record will be removed 8 years from the date the punishment ended;
- If a person has served a sentence for a particularly serious crime, the criminal record is valid for 10 years.
The expungement of a criminal record means that any legal consequences for the crime committed cease to apply. But a criminal record can only be cleared in court if the authority makes an appropriate decision. As for the minimum terms for expunging a criminal record, this is an open question. Even encumbrances are not allowed to completely remove information about the fact of a criminal record - the database will contain this information.
Does the consequence remain after the penalty is paid?
If a criminal record is expunged, is the person considered to have a criminal record?
A citizen's conviction for a criminal offense prevents a person from taking a worthy place in society .
An entry in a certificate about such a fact in a specialist’s biography interferes not only with hiring, but also with other life situations.
There are 3 options for getting rid of a criminal record:
- repayment - the end of the period established by law after serving the sentence;
- withdrawal at the initiative of a citizen;
- act of pardon.
After the expiration of the standard time, the expungement of a criminal record is carried out automatically and the citizen is considered to have no criminal record, all previously existing prohibitions and restrictions are abolished.
Removal of the status of a convicted person is an early release from the consequences of a criminal act.
For this to happen, a petition is submitted to the court with a positive reference and evidence of the convicted citizen’s correction or deterioration in his health, confirmed by a medical report.
Procedure for entering information about a criminal record in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database
To enter information about a criminal record into the Ministry of Internal Affairs database, you must accept legal conditions. They say that only a limited number of people can enter information into the common database, as well as remove this information. This list includes investigators, interrogators and prosecutors, provided that the accusation is proven.
In order for criminal record data to be included in the general database, those responsible for entering it must follow a special algorithm, according to which, first of all, a criminal case must be initiated. It can only be initiated by an official. After this, the investigator has 24 hours to transfer information about the case to the registration and accounting department. From there, information about the crime committed must be sent to the information center department. The task of the information center is to transfer statistics on offenses per day to the SIAC.
It is important to note that there are several types of information centers, depending on the type of offense being dealt with.
How to find out about a criminal record by last name in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database
It is possible to obtain information about a criminal record from the Ministry of Internal Affairs database using the defendant’s last name. This is exactly what employers use when they want to minimize the risk that the employee they hired was dishonest and broke the law. Especially if the position is responsible and the risks are really serious. Also in business they often try to check the biography of a future partner. Especially if this is a new person and he does not have an established reputation, but long-term business relationships are planned.
But keep in mind that, according to modern legislation, obtaining the information in question is impossible unless you involve a specialist who has the right to make such requests. Since the information in the GIAC RF database is used only for internal purposes, access to it by outsiders is limited. More precisely, it is even impossible. But law enforcement officers can easily obtain the information in question.
State employees can request information from the database. and muniz. organizations where convicts from whom the burdens could not be removed do not have the right to work. Organizations that issue weapons licenses or issue visas can also provide a request. According to the law, they not only “can,” but “must” check whether the person contacting them has a criminal record. And if there is a criminal record, such a person will be denied his request, whether it is an attempt to get a position or obtain a visa.
If a request is made by the head of an organization that is not included in the list of designated bodies, the database will not respond, even if the criminal record has been removed. The Ministry closes this information from civilians, except in situations where the request is made by a person with a criminal record.
The only way to get information without breaking the law is to ask the employee himself. Of course, not all people tell the truth when asked such a question, and some try to illegally remove the mark. If the employer is not sure of the veracity of a person’s words, he has the right to request from the employee a certificate of no criminal record. Since this information cannot be deleted, the certificate will reflect the employee’s status.
You can request a criminal record certificate by last name on the Internet . But keep in mind that it is advisable to make the request on official resources, where it is impossible to delete data from the database. Government agencies have their own websites, and only there you can get true information. This check is free. If a third-party site offers to perform work on a request for information for a fee, they are most likely scammers.
Of course, a person with a criminal record can try to get away from the moment it exists, and theoretically this is quite possible. For example, a popular scheme is to try to change your personal data, since removing a criminal record itself is not so easy. People contact the registry office and submit an application to change their personal data. After this, if you make a request taking into account your new full name, your criminal record will not be confirmed.
But the scheme will be revealed if the personnel department of government agencies submits an application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Then they will give out information both about your criminal record and about the change of personal identification information that the database has saved. Therefore, if an ordinary employer is interested in obtaining information, he needs to require not only a criminal record certificate, but also documents on the change of data. Then the employee must bring a certificate for both details.
Definition of undischarged and outstanding vessel
What is an outstanding conviction?
If the sentence has not expired, the person’s criminal record remains outstanding.
This condition worsens a person’s rights and aggravates his situation when committing another offense: it is an aggravating circumstance .
An unexpunged criminal record will not disappear on its own ; in order to get rid of it, you must go to court. The Criminal Code provides for the conditions when the application will be considered. Mandatory are:
- absence of violations of law and order on the part of the applicant;
- payment of monetary compensation by the culprit in favor of the victims of the crime.
If the judge does not grant the request of the citizen, the criminal record remains unexpunged, but does not cause negative consequences.
An outstanding judgment indicates that the punishment continues .
Obtaining a criminal record certificate through the Ministry of Internal Affairs website
Requesting information about criminal records on the platform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is possible only for citizens who want to receive this information about themselves. In addition to information via the Internet database, he can make do with a personal request at the information center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
You can also make requests through the State Services portal using a personal account, thanks to which a common database will open and it will be possible to clarify the presence of a criminal record. In this case, it is not necessary to create an account on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs only shows information that a person has no criminal record (or if it has been removed), and here you can also find information about people who are currently wanted. Simply enter their full name and date of birth (to exclude full namesakes).
Checking your criminal record through the court website
Information on criminal records is presented in the database of judicial authorities. To receive it, you must have the person’s passport details, as well as know at what address this person is registered. Go to the website of your local court of general jurisdiction and open the “Case Management” tab. Enter the available data, and if a lawsuit has been opened against the person, there will be information about this.
