NCJ Number
154708
Date Published
1995
Length
46 pages
Annotation
Legislation has been enacted in Massachusetts that covers access to public records, the Criminal Offender Record Information System, the sealing of certain criminal record files, fair information practices, individual privacy rights, and the Criminal History Systems Board.
Abstract
Legislation covering access to public records concerns the dissemination of record information, procedures for the interstate exchange of record information, drug offender records, probation reports, and expungement and sealing of certain criminal record files (including those of juveniles). Procedures on access to public records are also contained in legislative provisions that deal with prisoner identification, fugitives from justice, criminal history records of jurors, fingerprinting, and photographing. Legislation further covers fair information practices, criminal record access procedures (certification), statutorily authorized criminal record access, individual rights to information release and privacy, records contained in criminal justice information systems, and criminal offender record information. The Criminal History Systems Board maintains controls over access to criminal offender record information.