[lcolon522]

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?

[ScottGem]

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.

[lcolon522]

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?

[ScottGem]

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.

[trishbu]

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

[ballengerb1]

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.