is there such thing as a civil record as opposed to a criminal record? give me some info about it?

Question

i was caught jumping the turnstile, and the cop said it wudnt be on my criminal record but "civil record" i dont know wat that means

Answer 1

Was it a police officer or a transit cop? Did you get a ticket? I've never heard the phrase "civil record" before.

Answer 2

There is such a thing as a civil record and databases that will access only the 'index' of civil cases, leaving it up to the researcher to go to that particular jurisdiction and look up whatever is public record. These records would include small claims actions and other civil suits, marriage dissolutions, professional licenses, etc.

But I can't get an image of how your jumping over a turn style somehow fits into that. It may depend on what the officer actually 'did'.....issue you a ticket? Issue some other kind of document that requires you to pay for the fare that was evaded?

If you had not have mentioned civil record I would have considered the act of jumping a turn style as a theft of services - a misdemeanor at best - and a criminal matter.

The answer to your question may be in the language written on your citation (if one was issued) or in whatever else you may have been issued. Read it and find the part where it says how to take take care of it. If you have to send a fine to, or appear at a government office or department, it may distinguish between criminal and civil.

Answer 3

Sounds like the cop was trying to scare you somehow. Never heard of a Civil record in these types of terms.

Answer 4

You could be referring to other records kept by the govt, such a records of marriage or divorce, professional licenses, etc.

But I've never seen the term "civil record" used in a general sense.

Answer 5

Yes, can't really give you any info but I do know when I go to my city's site for cases and records they have a civil record area and a criminal record area

Answer 6

here is an example, I think..

Answer 7

no