Rikosrekisteriin

Rikosrekisteriin is a Finnish term meaning "into the criminal register" and is used to describe the act of recording a person's criminal conviction or penalty in Finland’s official criminal records (rikosrekisteri). Entries are created after court judgments, fines, or other penal decisions and are maintained by Finnish authorities under national law, including provisions on record-keeping and data protection.

The register contains information on convictions, fines, suspended sentences and certain decisions on juvenile offenders. Not all police contacts or investigations lead to an entry; only formal sanctions that meet legal criteria are recorded. Entries can affect employment prospects, licensing and security clearances, particularly for positions with legal requirements for a clean criminal history.

Access to criminal record information is regulated: individuals have the right to obtain an extract (ote rikosrekisteristä) of their own record. Employers and other third parties may receive information only when allowed by law, for example in specified professions or when statutory background checks are required. Data protection rules and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) govern processing, storage and disclosure of records.

Entries are not always permanent; rehabilitation periods and legal provisions allow certain convictions to be removed or restricted from disclosure after specified timeframes. Errors or outdated information can be challenged through official correction procedures. For specific legal questions or personal cases, consultation with competent authorities or legal professionals is recommended.