Not Your RAP Sheet?

Sometimes your RAP sheet will contain arrests and convictions that don’t belong to you. Each state has a different process for removing this information.

To remove convictions that don’t belong to you, select the state where your criminal record is located using the drop-down menu below:

Connecticut – Not Your RAP Sheet?

If you are the victim of mistaken identity or identity theft, challenge your record with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's (DESPP) State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI). You must show proof of the mistake and proof of your identity.

If someone has stolen your identity and you wish to challenge the information on your RAP sheet, you must submit any written proof you have of identity theft (police reports, court orders, etc) to the agency advocate and/or the Special Licensing Detective as soon as possible. You should also contact the State Police Bureau of Identification to formally correct your record and make sure this doesn’t happen again.

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State field: Connecticut

Massachusetts – Not Your RAP Sheet?

If you are the victim of mistaken identity or identity theft, challenge your record with the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). Complaints can be filed via mail. Depending on the type of violation, complete the form below that is most relevant to your complaint. 

Here are the four steps to fix a mistaken identity or identity theft with the Massachusetts DCJIS:

  1. Report the theft immediately to your local police or the Massachusetts state police.
  2. Get a copy of the police report or a fingerprint comparison to the fingerprints on file for the arrest
  3. Complete the “Complaint form for an incorrect COI.” To access the form, click here: CORI Complaint
  4. Send the completed form and copies of the police report, your photo ID, certified court documents, and any other documents that prove your identity has been stolen to this address:

Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
ATTN: Legal Department
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, 
Chelsea, MA 02150

There is no fee to file the complaint. The DCJIS will investigate. They may interview you and take your fingerprints.

You may also reach out to the following agencies if you are the victim of mistaken identity:

The probation office at the court that handled the case; or

The Massachusetts Office of the Commissioner of Probation at (617) 727-5300.

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State field: Massachusetts

New Jersey – Not Your RAP Sheet?

If you are the victim of mistaken identity or identity theft in New Jersey, you may apply to a court for a judicial determination of innocence.

You may be eligible for expungement if any of the following apply:

  • The individual who used your information was arrested, cited, or convicted of a crime, offense or violation of law using your identity
  • A complaint for a crime, offense, or violation has been filed in your name, but against the person who stole your identity 
  • Your identity has been mistakenly associated with a record of conviction

If a charge is pending, then the prosecutor can apply for the determination of innocence on your behalf. If it is not pending, then you must apply. There is no fee.

For more information about this process or for assistance, contact the Legal Services of New Jersey's Prisoner Reentry Project at (888) 576-5529/(732) 572-9100. For more information online, visit the Legal Services of New Jersey's Prisoner Reentry Project website here: Legal Services of New Jersey.

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State field: New Jersey

New York - What To Do If Your RAP Sheet Contains Information About Another Person

In New York, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) can help if your name, date of birth or Social Security number has been falsely used by another person.

Take these three steps to clear your name:

  1. Submit details about the arrest event that allegedly includes your identifying information. This includes date(s) of arrest(s), court docket number(s), or other documentation, such as newspaper articles, to identify the arrest so DCJS staff can retrieve the information. You should clearly state that the arrest/event was not you and that you are requesting the information be removed from your RAP sheet.

  2. Download an FBI fingerprint card or contact DCJS to obtain one: RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or 518-457-9847 and 518-485-7675. After obtaining the card, you must make an appointment at your local police department or sheriff’s office to have your fingerprints taken.

    You should contact an attorney before getting your fingerprints taken if you think you have any open warrants or immigration issues.

  3. Send your request, all relevant information and fingerprint card to:

Manager, Records Management Unit
Office of Criminal Justice Records, DQM 5th Floor
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Record Review Unit
Alfred E. Smith Building
80 South Swan St.
Albany, New York 12210

Once DCJS receives this information, the agency will evaluate your claim and send you a letter indicating either:

Claim Founded: The letter will indicate that your fingerprints do not match the arrest fingerprints to which they were compared, but that certain identifying information of yours was used in connection with an arrest;

OR

Claim Not Founded: The letter will indicate that DCJS cannot substantiate the claim that your identifying information was used by someone else during an arrest.

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State field: New York

Pennsylvania – Not Your RAP Sheet?

If you are the victim of mistaken identity or identity theft, you must challenge your record with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and show proof of the mistake and proof of your identity. 

Here are the four steps to to challenge your record with the PSP:

  1. Get a copy of the incorrect record from the PSP.
  2. Get your fingerprints taken at an authorized location to prove your identity. For a list of locations, go to the PSP website here: Fingerprinting Service Information.

    Municipal/regional police departments and alternate service providers offer fingerprinting. To find alternate local fingerprinting services available to the general public, conduct an Internet search for “Pennsylvania Fingerprinting Services.” Take your photo ID and your criminal record with you to get fingerprinted.
     
  3. The PSP will review the challenge to your record. You will receive a letter with the results.
  4. Request another copy of your criminal record to confirm that the PSP made the correction.

The state police will not correct the record in these four situations:

  1. You have been arrested or convicted in Pennsylvania.
  2. Two or more people stole your identity.
  3. Your Social Security number was used in the identity theft.
  4. The mistaken identity is caused by a "coincidence"; you and another person have the same name and birth date.

More Information About Fixing Your Record

 The only way for you to be sure that a potential employer or landlord gets the corrected record when they do a background check is to show them the letter from the state police.

If the PSP corrects your record for employers and landlords, it will not correct the record for criminal justice purposes. For example, if you are pulled over by police for a traffic infraction, you could be arrested by mistake.

Keep the letter confirming that you are the victim of identity theft with you always. You may need it.

 


 

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