Americans: Should we get rid of criminal records?

People deserve to know if that babysitter they're about to hire is a child molester or that accountant doing their taxes has a record for embezzlement.

Criminal records should be unavailable to the public five to ten years after the end of the sentence depending on the seriousness of the crime.

No. People have a right to know who the criminals are.

I have an ex-con "working" in my neighborhood. Criminals never change, although they might be successfully sneakier. People should be aware of what's around

The only thing that is ours in the world is our name and getting caught doing crimes you have given up your name to the law of man and you want it back, clear and free but wisdom tells you, your body may be free but your name is not and never will be....

NO. Too low a percentage of rehabilitation. While some learn from their mistakes, do their time and turn over a new leaf after - many don't. Those that choose a life of crime should have a record follow them - it shows their lack of character and insensitivity to their fellow citizens and they should be accountable for their past (as we ALL are - just some of us are not criminal in our actions, but our records follow us all regardless).

I never understood that myself. If you are going to impair their ability to find a job you may as well keep them in prison because they are not going to have much of a choice but to commit more crime. Punish them all you have to but when you are done you are done and they paid for it.

Employers have a right to choose whether or not they wish to hire a convicted criminal. If someone has a conviction for robbery or theft, I don't want them working my cash registers

They make their own choices as you make yours. Need it for repeat offenders.