There are so many reasons why people should search public criminal records online. This is primarily done for protection. Imagine the scenario where you and your family are living in the suburbs, and someone new moves into the house beside yours. At first bat, you find the new neighbor quite familiar, but you just cannot place where you have seen him before. After a few days, you suddenly realize that this man resembles the man you saw on the news, the same one who is wanted for murder in another state. By this time, you already know that your new neighbor goes by the name of Matt Richards. To put your worries at ease, you can then choose the option to search public criminal records online, and determine for yourself if your neighbor is indeed who he says he is.