Who is legally allowed to see my RAP sheet?

MOST PEOPLE CANNOT SEE YOUR RAP SHEET. Your RAP sheet is protected and confidential because it is kept by law enforcement agencies. The only people who can see your RAP sheet are:

    Criminal justice and law enforcement agencies have full access to your RAP sheet, including juvenile adjudications, expunged/dismissed cases, and sometimes even sealed records![2972]
    State occupational licensing agencies can review your RAP when considering whether or not to issue you a professional license. Some may ban you from getting a license if you have a criminal record.[2973] (For more information see the EMPLOYMENT CHAPTER, on PG. 601)
    State and local welfare agencies including child welfare agencies, child support agencies, and humane societies can see your RAP sheet.[2974]
    Most public employers can see your RAP sheet when you apply for a job with them. These include all federal, state and local government agencies—including police and fire departments, the California Department of Corrections (CDCR), local Boards of Education, and the U.S. Postal Service.[2975]
    Certain private employers can see your RAP sheet if you are applying for a job that involves access to sensitive information (e.g., nuclear power plants, public utilities, private security companies, and financial institutions like banks) OR you will be working with children, elderly, disabled, or other vulnerable people.[2976]
  1. 2972

    Cal. Penal Code § 11105 (police departments, courts, District Attorney and Public Defender offices, parole and probation departments, and corrections agencies can access RAP sheets).

  2. 2973

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 475; Cal. Penal Code § 11105 (occupational licenses are required for MANY professions, including: accountants, taxi drivers, architects, automotive repair persons, barbers and cosmetologists, cemetery and funeral service workers, contractors, court reporters, dental service professionals, electronic and appliance repair persons, physical therapists, real estate agents, security guards and private investigators, and nurses). See also Occupational Guides, Cal. Emp’t Dev’t Dep’t, http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/ (listing 200+ professions that require occupational licenses in California).

  3. 2974

    Cal. Penal Code § 11105(b).

  4. 2975

    Cal. Penal Code § 11105(b).

  5. 2976

    These employers include: nuclear power plants; public utilities; agencies directly responsible for the care of children, the elderly, or the mentally or physically disabled; youth organizations; in-home supportive care agencies; security organizations; financial institutions; private schools. See Cal. Penal Code §§ 11105(c)(1); 11105.3, 11105.4; Cal. Fin. Code § 777.5; Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.871; Cal. Veh. Code § 44237. However, private employers must still get authorization from the DOJ in order to view RAP sheets.