A rap sheet is an informal term for a criminal record, which is a detailed list of a person's arrests, charges, and convictions maintained by law enforcement agencies. These records include details on various offenses, penalties, and judicial decisions related to a person's involvement with the criminal justice system.
The term rap sheet is a combination of the slang word "rap," meaning a criminal charge or accusation, and the word "sheet," referring to a document or list. It became a common phrase around the 1940s.
Access to a person's rap sheet is legally restricted to law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, and authorized state and federal agencies for legitimate purposes like employment or licensing. Public access is highly restricted, as rap sheets are not public records and cannot be obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
About forty plus years ago, I was driving along Delancey Street in lower Manhattan, having come across the Williamsburg Bridge on the way to my family's favorite Chinese restaurant, Say Eng Look, which is unfortunately gone.
At a red light, a scruffy young man approached the car and engaged my first wife, Bonita, in conversation. It basically consisted of asking for money.
She obliged, but asked him why he was not looking for gainful employment. He responded as it was difficult to find because of his rap sheet.
The light turned green and we departed, but not before Bonita wished him well. A few seconds later, my young daughter Rachel asked unforgettably, "What's a rap sheet?"
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