I have received an offer from a consulting firm right out of undergrad. I'm a little worried about an upcoming background check in ILLINOIS.

About 10 months ago, I was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. At the pre-trial, I was given Supervision after pleading guilty, and after 3 months of lawful behavior the charges were dismissed. It is my understanding that Supervision does not constitute a conviction, despite the guilty plea. Also, my public defender mentioned something to the effect that Disorderly Conduct is treated as a traffic violation in Illinois (but I can't find anything to back that up).

The background check will be performed by a 3rd party. I'm wondering 2 things:
1. Will an arrest (without conviction) show up on my record? And
2. Is this serious enough to keep me from getting hired?

I've read from a lot of sources that it's best to "come clean" and never lie, but my application asks no questions about arrest or conviction records, and I feel like it would be pointless to bring it up if they'll never know or care. If anyone could answer this question it'd be a great help; I've been worrying a lot about it. Thanks so much.

Hello joey:

I think you should "come clean" too, but that doesn't mean you tell EVERYTHING.

There is no such thing as a background check. There's GOOD background checks, and there's BAD background checks. Even with a GOOD background check, I seriously doubt the arrest will show, because they can filter for just convictions if they choose.

I wouldn't have any idea what requirements an employer might have. If it's any consolation, I'd hire you.

excon

excon,

Thanks for the quick response. I agree with what you said... Actually, I've been notified of the company that will be performing the background check, and on their website it seems to me that they only check for CONVICTIONS, not arrests (though I'm not 100% sure).

I've gotten the sense that, as you said, most checks do not include arrests anyway. The uncertainty is getting to me but I feel it should be okay. Thanks again.

I will note, that unless the case was dismissed because of the way it was handled, pleading guilty is a conviction, it merely means they did not have to prove the case. If this was done as part of a pretrial diversion, then it works as a suspended sentence which is dismissed after you do certain things.

I will also say of all the states I have ever dealt with Illinois is the worst about the DA lying. I have seen DA's in Illinois even create evidence at times against people. ( Vandaila IL area) I have such a mistrust for IL that when I travel to MO I actually drive further out of my way as not to have to even drive though their state.

Now with that said, you should be safe, if that was the agreement and it worked the way it was suppose to