Decades after run-ins with the law that never led to convictions, many New Yorkers find out that a mistake on their official Record of Arrests and Prosecution, or RAP sheet, is hurting their chances of getting a job. Then they find out how hard it is to fix even the simplest errors.

This story was produced as part of a class on urban investigative reporting at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism taught by Errol Louis and Tom Robbins, who served as editors.

Part 1: Mistaken Arrest Records Haunt Millions

Part 2: The 7-Year Quest to Fix 1 Skewed Sheet

Part 3: One Man Vs. a Multitude of Errors

Part 4: Legislature Falls Down on Fixes

Part 5: A Q&A on Rap Sheets

Part 6: A Resource Guide