What record is kept if a person is discharged from probation without an adjudication of guilt?

When a person is discharged from probation without an adjudication of guilt, this situation typically leads to the creation of a non-public record. In many jurisdictions, including Minnesota, this means that the record of the probation remains confidential and is not available for public viewing. Such records are distinct from public records, which can be accessed by anyone, and from permanent records that might imply ongoing availability to authorities.

The reason this record is considered non-public is rooted in the legal protections associated with situations where an individual has successfully completed probation without being formally adjudicated as guilty of a crime. This classification helps to ensure that individuals are not unfairly penalized or stigmatized for situations that do not reflect a criminal conviction, allowing them opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society without the burden of a public criminal record.

In contrast, classifications like public records or criminal investigation records do not align with the privacy protections granted in such cases. A permanent record generally suggests a record that might follow an individual indefinitely, contrary to the intention of maintaining the confidentiality of non-adjudicated probation discharges.