If you're arrested for shoplifting and when you go to court the charges are dropped, do the records still show or come up in the system as you having a criminal record? Will the fingerprints taken still have an affect on getting a job when the court ended up giving a warning instead?

A criminal records means you have been convicted of a crime. No conviction no criminal record.

However that applies to a standard background check. If the job does a more thorough check they may find the arrest record. If you commit another crime, the police will know of the former arrest.

Scott,

So usually how extensive does an employer look for any fingerprinting. Isn't is true that once your fingerprinted, it stays in the system and something will show up or no?

Employers generally don't have access to the fingerprint database. Only law enforcement agencies do.

Generally employers only do a standard check looking for convictions. Depends on the nature of the job.

What did you say in court that they dropped the charges? What did you say when they asked you 'why' you stole?

Not so in places I have worked. I have done extensive HR work in public schools and we finger print every level of employee, arrest records do show even if you were not convicted.