When you hear the word “fingerprints” in a legal context, you might think of crime scenes, mugshots, or background checks. But what does it really mean when someone says a charge is “fingerprintable”?
Simply put, a fingerprintable charge is a type of criminal offense where law enforcement is legally required to take your fingerprints. These are usually serious offenses like felonies or certain misdemeanors, not minor infractions or traffic tickets.
This article will help you understand exactly what a fingerprintable charge is, why fingerprints are taken, and how it might affect your criminal record, background checks, and even your future.
What Is a Fingerprintable Charge?
A fingerprintable charge is any criminal offense that, under the law, requires the police to take your fingerprints. This process is part of official booking procedures when someone is arrested for a serious crime.
Once fingerprints are taken, they become part of your permanent record, stored in both state and national databases. Law enforcement uses them for identification, checking criminal history, and sometimes even to connect a person to past or future crimes.
If you’re being charged with a felony or a serious misdemeanor, chances are very high that your charge is fingerprintable.
Why Are Fingerprints Taken?
Taking fingerprints during a criminal case is about much more than just leaving ink on paper. Here are the main reasons fingerprints are taken for fingerprintable charges:
1. Accurate Identification
Fingerprints help law enforcement confirm exactly who you are. In some cases, people give false names or IDs when arrested. Fingerprints provide a foolproof way to identify individuals.
2. Criminal Background Checks
Once your fingerprints are collected, they’re run through criminal databases to check for any prior arrests, warrants, or convictions. This information is important for courts to understand the full picture of your criminal history.
3. Linking to Other Crimes
Your prints may be compared with fingerprints collected at other crime scenes. If there’s a match, you could be connected to additional cases—even if you weren’t a suspect initially.
4. Court Decisions and Sentencing
Judges may review your fingerprint records and background to help decide:
- Bail or bond amounts
- Plea deals
- Probation or parole
- Final sentence
Fingerprinting plays a major role in how your case is handled from start to finish.
What Types of Crimes Are Fingerprintable?
Not all charges lead to fingerprinting. However, most fingerprintable charges fall into three main categories:
1. Felonies
Almost every felony is fingerprintable. These are serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Common examples include:
- Robbery or burglary
- Aggravated assault
- Drug trafficking
- Weapons charges
- Murder or attempted murder
- Kidnapping
2. Serious Misdemeanors
Some misdemeanors are also fingerprintable, especially if they involve violence or endanger others. Examples include:
- Domestic violence
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Assault and battery
- Resisting arrest
- Shoplifting (depending on state laws)
3. State-Specific Offenses
Each state has its own laws about which charges require fingerprinting. For instance:
- In New York, most misdemeanors and all felonies require fingerprinting.
- In North Carolina, many non-violent misdemeanors can still lead to fingerprinting.
- In Georgia, fingerprintable offenses are listed by law and submitted to the GCIC (Georgia Crime Information Center).
So, depending on where you live, even something like trespassing or disorderly conduct might require fingerprints.
What Is NOT Considered a Fingerprintable Charge?
There are many minor offenses where fingerprinting isn’t required. These are usually violations or infractions that don’t involve jail time. Some examples include:
- Speeding tickets
- Parking violations
- Littering
- Noise complaints
- Running a stop sign
- Jaywalking
Even though you might receive a fine or citation for these, they don’t result in fingerprints being taken — unless other factors apply.
Important: If you’re pulled over for a minor offense but don’t have ID, or the officer suspects other criminal activity, you might still be fingerprinted.
What Happens If You Refuse to Be Fingerprinted?
In most states, if you’re being charged with a fingerprintable offense, you cannot legally refuse to be fingerprinted. Doing so can lead to:
- Additional charges (like obstruction or resisting)
- Delays in your case
- Denial of bail or release
Law enforcement can use reasonable force to obtain your fingerprints. It’s better to comply and let your attorney handle any issues in court.
What Happens After Fingerprinting?
When your fingerprints are taken, they are:
- Scanned and submitted electronically to state and federal systems (like the FBI’s IAFIS).
- Stored along with your photo (mugshot), arrest info, and court charges.
- Matched against open cases and existing criminal records.
This digital record becomes part of your criminal history and may be visible during background checks for:
- Employment
- Housing applications
- Security clearances
- Immigration processes
Can a Fingerprintable Charge Affect Your Future?
Yes — a fingerprintable charge can have serious long-term consequences. Even if the charges are dropped or you are found not guilty, your fingerprints and arrest may still show up on record.
Some of the common ways this can impact you include:
1. Employment
Many employers run background checks. If your fingerprints show up linked to a criminal case, it could hurt your job chances — even if you weren’t convicted.
2. Housing
Landlords may be hesitant to rent to someone with a fingerprinted arrest record, especially if the offense was violent or drug-related.
3. Immigration Status
If you’re applying for a green card, visa, or citizenship, your fingerprint record will be reviewed. Certain charges may delay or block your immigration process.
4. Professional Licenses
Doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, and other licensed professionals may face consequences if fingerprint records show criminal activity.
Can Fingerprint Records Be Removed?
In some cases, yes. If your charges were:
- Dropped
- Dismissed
- You were found not guilty
You may be able to request expungement or sealing of your records. This process hides the charge from public view — although law enforcement may still access it.
Each state has different rules for expungement. It’s best to contact a criminal defense attorney to see if you qualify.
Fingerprintable Charges and Juveniles
If a minor (under 18) is charged with a fingerprintable offense, their prints are still taken in many states. However:
- The records are often kept separate from adult databases.
- Many states allow automatic sealing of juvenile records when the person turns 18.
- Some serious juvenile crimes (like violent felonies) may be treated as adult offenses, making the fingerprints part of a permanent adult record.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say you get arrested for DUI in Florida. This is considered a serious misdemeanor — and it’s fingerprintable. The police will take your fingerprints at the time of arrest. These prints will:
- Be entered into criminal databases
- Show up on your background checks
- Influence your court sentence if you have a prior DUI
Even if it’s your first offense, that one fingerprintable charge can follow you for years — unless you qualify for expungement later.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
If you’ve been arrested or charged with a fingerprintable offense:
- Stay calm and don’t resist fingerprinting — it will only make things worse.
- Hire a criminal defense attorney immediately. They can help challenge the charge or limit the damage.
- Ask about record sealing or expungement if your case gets dismissed or you’re not convicted.
- Don’t ignore the long-term impact — even if the charge feels minor.
Conclusion
Understanding what a fingerprintable charge is can help you take the right steps when facing legal trouble. These charges carry serious weight, not only in the courtroom but in your future as well.
If you’ve been charged with a fingerprintable offense, it’s important to understand:
- What the charge means
- How it affects your rights and record
- What steps you can take to protect yourself
Working with a criminal defense lawyer and staying informed can make all the difference.