Does Being Detained Go on Your Record? Yes & No (How To Check 100%)

Background check repair icon.Written by Background Check Repair

Criminal Records | June 12, 2024

Does being detained go on your record a driver wonders while being pulled over for no probable cause by a police officer and a background check document with detention records hovers above while the driver asks the law enforcement officer does a police detention go on your record and how long do arrests stay on your record after being detained.

Detainment Records Free Search
Background check searches criminal records for police detainment, charges, convictions, warrants, and arrests.

Does being detained go on your record? The answer can be yes or no, which can make it tricky to know for sure whether being held by the police will be part of a person’s public record.

Fortunately, anyone can do a background check on themselves (often for free with a background report free trial) to find out and be 100% certain whether or not a detainment will be part of what is in a background check report.

The key is knowing where and how to look for the record.

Since states have different laws concerning detainment records and public records in general, knowing how to confirm a detainment record can be important when checking criminal records for something that might cause someone to have a background check resulting in a loss of job opportunity.

This guide provides all the information anyone needs to answer “does being detained go on your record”, quickly and accurately, so you can answer:

and more…

By far, the easiest answer is simply checking your record to find out quickly (often in minutes).

Does a Police Detention Go on Your Record? Find Out

Technically, detention is defined as being prevented from free movement, but most often it refers to law enforcement officials forcibly keeping someone in custody for questioning if incriminating evidence is lacking.1

So, does being detained go on your record? It all depends on whether the detention is accompanied by a criminal charge or conviction.3

When detained, a report is made, but the report does not become part of their criminal history record unless they are convicted of a crime. Later on, the report will be destroyed according to the state law of the region where the detention was made.4

However, a copy of the police report will exist until then.

Close up view of an arrest report form with a handcuff on the upper right side.

However, when a person is arrested, the arrest record goes on their criminal record (Learn how to search for old arrest records and how to find latest arrest records). When they are processed and booked in a county jail or police station, an official record is keyed into the agency system and becomes available to the public in many states.

In some instances, when a record of the arrest is not filed with the office of the local District Attorney for charges, a record of their detention is instead filed, and the decision to do so reflects as detention only for criminal identification within the state’s department of justice.2

Although this is confusing, the main thing is knowing that anyone can check their own background public record and find out if detention will show up.

Detention goes hand in hand with an ongoing or recent criminal offense in which the person in custody is suspected of involvement.3

A detainee has a right to an Attorney unless statutory exceptions come into play. However, when an individual is not detained, the police are allowed to question them without informing them of their right to an attorney, even when they intend to arrest them.

Duration of Power

The police cannot take a person into custody for investigative purposes unless they are deemed reasonable in line with the circumstances.

Sufficiency of Belief

An officer’s grounds of belief must be probable and reasonable for them to detain or arrest a person. When the sufficiency of belief is met, the investigative detention is justified by law.3

Regardless of these provisions, law enforcement officers have quite a bit of leeway in getting “probable cause” and extending detainment.

Does Being Detained Show up on a Background Check? (Does Detention Show up on Your Record?)

So, does being detained go on your record? Unless a person is charged with and convicted of a crime, being detained does not appear on their background check since it is not included in their criminal records.

However, when they are arrested, it shows on their background check.

How Long Can You Be Detained? Detained Person Law (All 50 States)

A person can be detained without charges for a maximum of 48 hours. During the 48 hours, the police officer may question the person regarding the circumstances leading to their detention.

Any law enforcement from either state or federal agencies may ask the questions. However, under the Constitution of the United States, the individual has a right not to answer any questions. They have the right to remain silent but should state that they are invoking their right.

They can also choose to request for an attorney to give them representation during questioning. The police cannot punish the individual for refusing to answer questions.

Still, they must answer their name and provide other identification such as a driver’s license as proof of identity for identification purposes.

Detainment laws are both similar and different in various states. The following table contains each state’s official detainment law:

State Detainment RulesDetainment LawDetainment Times
Alabama Detainment LawsAlabama Rules of Criminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
AlaskaCode of Criminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
ArizonaCriminal Code24-72 Hours Max
ArkansasCriminal Procedure

  Generally-Title 16, Subtitle 6

24-72 Hours Max
CaliforniaPenal Code24-72 Hours Max
ColoradoCriminal

  Proceedings-Title 16

24-72 Hours Max
ConnecticutCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
Washington, DCCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
DelawareCrimes and Criminal

  Procedure

24-72 Hours Max
FloridaCriminal Procedure and

  Corrections

24-72 Hours Max
GeorgiaCriminal Procedure-Title

  17

24-72 Hours Max
HawaiiProcedural and Supplementary

  Provisions

24-72 Hours Max
IdahoCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
IllinoisCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
IndianaCriminal Law and Procedure24-72 Hours Max
IowaCriminal Law and Procedure24-72 Hours Max
KansasCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
KentuckyCrimes and

  Punishments-Title XL

24-72 Hours Max
LouisianaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MaineCourt Procedure– Criminal24-72 Hours Max
MarylandSearchable Index- See

  Criminal Procedure

24-72 Hours Max
MassachusettsCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MichiganCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MinnesotaCriminals; Rehabilitation, Criminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MississippiCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MissouriCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
MontanaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
NebraskaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
NevadaCriminal Procedure (Title

  14, Chapters 169-189)

24-72 Hours Max
New HampshireProceedings in Criminal

  Cases

24-72 Hours Max
New JerseyAdministration of Civil

  and Criminal Justice

24-72 Hours Max
New MexicoCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
New YorkCPL24-72 Hours Max
North CarolinaCriminal Procedure

  (Chapter 15), Criminal Procedure

  (Chapter 15a)

24-72 Hours Max
North DakotaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
OhioCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
OklahomaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
OregonProcedure in Criminal

  Matters Generally-(see Chapters 131-157)

24-72 Hours Max
PennsylvaniaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
Rhode IslandCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
South CarolinaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
South DakotaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
TennesseeCriminal Procedure (Title

  40)

24-72 Hours Max
TexasCode of Criminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
UtahCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
Vermont24-72 Hours Max
VirginiaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
WashingtonCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
West VirginiaCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max
WisconsinCriminal Procedure

  (Chapters 967-980)

24-72 Hours Max
WyomingCriminal Procedure24-72 Hours Max

How Do You Know If You Are Being Detained?

If the person answering law enforcement inquiries asks whether or not they are free to leave and are told no, they are being detained.

However, it is voluntary detention if they are told yes but do not leave the scene2

What is a Limited Criminal History Check? (How to Check for Detention Records)

A limited criminal history check is when an individual or concerned party searches the state’s criminal records to ascertain whether they have a class A misdemeanor or felony arrest against their name.

The process is fairly easy to complete. By contacting (or searching) the local sheriff’s office or police department, anyone can request a criminal background check.

In addition, the Freedom of Information Act allows anyone to request copies of police reports.

To conduct a criminal history search on yourself (get a copy of my criminal record), follow these steps:

Step 1. Click on the link in the table below for the state of residency.

Step 2. Click on background check forms, or criminal history forms provided and follow the instructions on filling out the information.

NOTE: be very careful to enter accurate information. A misspelled name or smudged fingerprints (if required) can cause background check delays.

Step 3. Pay the processing fee associated with the criminal history search. Generally, a state background check will cost from between $20-$40.

Step 4. Obtain the results to find out “does being detained go on your record?’

State Limited Criminal History Check
Alabama Limited Criminal History CheckABC System
Indiana Limited Criminal History CheckLCH Request
California Limited Criminal History CheckBSIS Services
Texas Limited Criminal History CheckCCH System
Wyoming Limited Criminal History CheckATS Unit
Wisconsin Limited Criminal History CheckCCH Database
West Virginia Limited Criminal History CheckCIB System
Washington Limited Criminal History CheckBCCU System
Virginia Limited Criminal History CheckCARE System
Vermont Limited Criminal History CheckVCIC Records
Utah Limited Criminal History CheckBCI System
Tennessee Limited Criminal History CheckTBI System
South Dakota Limited Criminal History CheckDCIID
South Carolina Limited Criminal History CheckSCIBRS
Rhode Island Limited Criminal History CheckCSC
Pennsylvania Limited Criminal History CheckPATCH System
Oregon Limited Criminal History CheckCJIS Services
Oklahoma Limited Criminal History CheckOSBI Services
Ohio Limited Criminal History CheckBCI System
North Dakota Limited Criminal History CheckBCI System
North Carolina Limited Criminal History CheckSBI System
New York Limited Criminal History CheckCHRS System
New Mexico Limited Criminal History CheckNMDPS System
New Jersey Limited Criminal History CheckNJSP System
New Hampshire Limited Criminal History CheckCRU System
Nevada Limited Criminal History CheckCNC System
Nebraska Limited Criminal History CheckRAP Sheet
Montana Limited Criminal History CheckDOJ System
Missouri Limited Criminal History CheckMACHS System
Mississippi Limited Criminal History CheckCIC System
Minnesota Limited Criminal History CheckCHS System
Michigan Limited Criminal History CheckICHAT System
Massachusetts Limited Criminal History CheckCORI System
Maryland Limited Criminal History CheckCHRC System
Maine Limited Criminal History CheckInforME System
Louisiana Limited Criminal History CheckLACCH System
Kentucky Limited Criminal History CheckKARES System
Kansas Limited Criminal History CheckKCH Database
Iowa Limited Criminal History CheckCHRDU System
Indiana Limited Criminal History CheckLHC Request
Illinois Limited Criminal History CheckBI System
Idaho Limited Criminal History CheckBCI Request
Hawaii Limited Criminal History CheckHI BCS System
Georgia Limited Criminal History CheckGCHEXS System
Florida Limited Criminal History CheckPA System
Delaware Limited Criminal History CheckSBI System
Connecticut Limited Criminal History CheckCCH Request
Colorado Limited Criminal History CheckICHC System
Alaska Limited Criminal History CheckNABC System
Arkansas Limited Criminal History CheckACIC Database
Arizona Limited Criminal History CheckDPS System

Does being detained go on your record…it certainly can, but anyone can find out for sure by doing a background check on themselves to see if the detainment shows up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Does Being Detained Go on Your Record

Does Detention show up on a Background Check?

It usually does not, but if the detention is related to an official charge, that charge will appear. Arrests do go into criminal records, but some states limit whether they show up on background checks.4

How Long Can Police Detain You for a Felony?

Most states have a 48-72 hour maximum, excluding holidays and weekends.

How Long Can Police Detain You for a Misdemeanor?

A maximum of 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Can Police Detain You as A Witness?

Whether the witness is detained depends on the nature of the information they can give, the seriousness of the crime, proof that they can give information, and the possibility of obtaining the same information from other means.

What’s the Difference Between Detained vs. Convicted?

Conviction is the process of finding if an individual is guilty of a crime in a court of law, whereas detention is the custodial deprivation of liberty of the individual.

How Long Can Police Detain You for DUI?

There are different types of DUI and different levels of severity. However, the booking process can take anywhere from a few hours to over 10 if a person is arrested for driving under the influence. Because detainment laws (and restrictions) are different in each state, however, there’s no one rule.

Does Being Detained for no Probable Case go on Your Record?

This can be difficult to answer because each state retains different laws and statutes regarding detainment information. The best thing to do is to get a criminal background check to see if the detainment shows up, and contact an attorney.

Does Detention go on Your Record in High School? (Does Detention go on Your Permanent Record?)

Anything that is contained on juvenile records (even a permanent record) is sealed.

How Long do Arrests Stay on your Record?

Arrests generally stay on the record for 3-5 years, depending on the severity of the criminal act.

Does Juvenile Detention go on Your Record?

Juvenile records, including detention, are sealed, so they are not public.


References

1Arrest vs. Detention: How to Tell Whether You’ve Been Arrested or Detained. (2022, 27 January). Nolo. <https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arrest-vs-detention-how-tell-whether-you-ve-been-arrested-simply-detained.html>

2What does it mean to get detained? (2021, 20 March). Movie Cultists. <https://moviecultists.com/what-does-it-mean-to-get-detained>

3Detained vs Arrested. (2021, 14 September). Lawrina. <https://lawrina.com/blog/detained-vs-arrested/>

4Does Being Detained Show Up on Your Record? (2022, 23 February). Legal Answers. <https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/does-being-detained-show-up-on-your-record--3260410.html>

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