Walk It Through: The Old Charge That Shows Up
A dismissed charge on a background check, a petition to expunge it, the prosecutor's 45 days, and a job application after.
A charge for theft was dismissed with prejudice months ago, but it still shows on a background check.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A dismissed misdemeanor charge. Expunging a conviction, a felony after a pardon, and a charge dismissed after a diversion program are on the record page.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- ExpungementA court order to remove the records of a charge, after which the proceedings are treated as never having occurred and agencies answer that no record exists.
- FelonyAn offense for which a sentence of imprisonment of more than one year is authorized. Felonies are Class A, B, C or D.
- Moral turpitudeThe quality that makes a felony take away the vote, which only the offenses the Felony Voter Disqualification Act lists have.
- Nolle prossedA charge the prosecution dropped; one dropped without conditions and not refiled can be expunged after more than 90 days.
- ViolationAn offense below a misdemeanor, punished by up to 30 days in the county jail and a fine of no more than $200.