Hi,
I am a registered dietitian working in New York for about ten years. Eighteen years ago, in Arizona, where I used to live, I was issued a written summons for misdemeanor shoplifting (not arrested or fingerprinted) with court date on it. I was young/dumb and had no lawyer, so showed up to court assuming I could just explain the situation and it would be dismissed but it didn't turn out that easy. I foolishly pleaded guilty as I feared doing anything else and it was only a 210.00 fine. About ten years ago I successfully had the conviction reversed and dismissed, but Arizona does not seal records. I can now legally answer no convictions on any employment app. I have never had any other issues. I have contacted the state licensure board in NY to see if it will interfere with my obtaining licensure here if it is ever mandated for RD's-it is not now. They said, no problem, I would be approved. This former conviction was in my maiden name.
My concern is that if I change jobs, most healthcare employers now require "satisfactorily passing background check" for employment. Will this issue surface in such a check, as I was not fingerprinted/booked and it is now set aside? Can they fire me later if it comes up even though I answer no criminal convictions on job app as I am legally allowed to do?
Help! I need advice, I don't want to loose my career that I put so much money/time into developing over something so old.
Thanks,
DA

If it was reversed and dismissed you should forget about it and answer no convictions.