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What to do With A Rap Sheet

The first thing you should do when you receive your rap sheet is to check for mistakes.

Rap Sheet Mistakes

  • Incomplete Entries. Rap sheets often report arrests without showing what finally happened to the case. When this happens, your rap sheet will say "no disposition reported." People who see your record may think this means that you were found guity of the original arrest charges when you may have not been convicted or were convicted of a less serious charge, or they may think that the charges are still outstanding and there is an open warrant for your arrest.
  • Incorrect Entries. Sometimes a simple error in typing into the computer the penal code number can result in a big mistake. For example, someone could have entered §125.25 (murder)? instead of §155.25 (petit larcency, like shoplifting). Make sure that you check your rap sheet carefully.
  • Double Entries. Sometimes information about one arrest will get split into two or more entries on your rap sheet. This can make your criminal record look more serious than it is.
  • That Should Be Sealed But Are Not. Arrests that did not lead to conviction, arrests for non-criminal violations, arrets leading to convictions for possession of less than 7/8 of an ounce of marijuana, can be sealed.

How to Correct Mistakes on your Rap Sheet

  1. Get a disposition slip for the case from the court where the case was heard. A disposition slip is an official court record of the case. To get a disposition slip, you must contact the court clerk in the court where your case was heard. Your rap sheet should state the name of hte court in the right-hand column. The quickest way to get the disposition slip is to go to the clerk's office in person. You can write to the clerk's office, but it may take several months to receive your disposition slip. You must give the clerk your name, any aliases you may have used, the date or your arrest, and the docket number under which your case is filed. This information should be on your rap sheet, but if you cannot provide the docket number or exact arrest date, your name and the approximate date the case was heard is probably enough. Some courts charge a fee (usually about $10) for disposition slips, but they may waive the fee if you were represented by a Legal Aid Society attorney or public defender, if you are incarcerated, or if you are on public assistance or receive Medicaid.
  2. Send the original copy of the disposition slip and a Record Review and Statement of Challenge to DCJS. A blank Record Review and Statement of Challenge is usually sent with your rap sheet when you get it in the mail. If you do not have the?Review Record and Statement of Challenge, you can write a letter to DCJS explaining why you believe the information on your rap sheet is incorrect.

On the statement or in your letter, you should:

  1. Explain when and where you saw a copy of your criminal record.
  2. Include your NYSID or New York State identification number if you know it.
  3. Explain what part of the record you think is wrong and how you think the record should be corrected.
  4. Attach one original disposition slip for each requested change to prove that the correction should be made. Remember to explain what you want changed clearly and carefully.