What is the primary reason for sealing records in criminal justice?

The primary reason for sealing records in criminal justice is to limit public access to sensitive information. This process is designed to protect individuals from the potential negative consequences that can arise from having a publicly accessible criminal record. For example, having a criminal history available to employers, landlords, and others can significantly impact a person's ability to reintegrate into society, find employment, or secure housing.

Sealing records allows individuals who have gone through the criminal justice process—especially those who have undergone rehabilitation—to move on with their lives without the constant burden of past mistakes being publicly accessible. This practice is essential in promoting fairness and reducing the stigma associated with having a criminal record.

The other options, while related to the concept of sealing records, do not encapsulate the primary intent behind the action. Eliminating all criminal history is not possible through sealing; rather, it restricts access. Promoting rehabilitation is a goal of criminal justice reform, but the act of sealing itself specifically addresses public access to records, not rehabilitation directly. Providing complete privacy is not the goal since some agencies still need access to these records for legitimate purposes, but it minimizes access for public scrutiny. Thus, limiting public access emerges as the central rationale for sealing records.