system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is it legal that I can google an US citizen and find out he or she was arrested for something?

Some time ago I met this guy at a conference, we talked a lot and hat some beers. Next day I google him and first thing I find is he was arrested for public intoxication some years back (It happened in Utah...). I was really surprised - not by the fact *this* guy was publicly intoxicated, but by the fact that EVERYTHING was online (and can only be removed for a fee, which sounds like extortion). 

How is that legal? What is the rationale behind that? Here in Germany you could probably raise hell if the state made personal information like that public.

EDIT: OK, let me clear this up. I'm not asking why the state is keeping public records on legal processes. I am asking why there is basically an online pillory for misdemeanors. 
In Germany for example you nearly always have to hand in an official, printed copy of your criminal record when you apply for a job. This document is regarded highly confidential. So a potential employer can check you. But I can't just google my neighbor and start a witch hunt.

Edit 2: Some quite important words.
gpt
The actions of the court system and the police system which are funded by taxpayers are generally considered public information.

Once your actions force the government to punish you, they're no longer really personal anymore.