Dismissed Charges and Background Checks 

There is no blanket answer to whether or not dismissed charges show up on background checks because there are many different kinds of background checks that show different kinds of information about people. Simply put, dismissed charges show up on some background checks and they do not show up on others. Different kinds of personal information shows up on different kinds of background checks.

Background Checks

A background check is performed on a person, often by potential employers, potential landlords, firearm dealers, and other people, who want to make sure a person is the person they say that they are. Depending on what facts are important to the person doing the background check, they may be able to find out about a person’s criminal record, employment history, previous clearance checks, education, and other relevant activity in a person’s life.

It is important to know what kind of background check is being done in order to answer the dismissed charges question accurately.

Some of the more common kinds of background checks provide information that is on other common kinds of background checks. Some of the more common kinds of (reasons for) background checks include but are not limited to:

Employment Background Checks As many as 72% of employers run background checks before they hire someone in the hopes of ensuring that the potential employee won’t pose a threat to the workplace or become a liability if they are hired. Some employers may require annual or semi-annual drug, criminal, or other checks, that are relevant to their business running smoothly and safely.

Criminal Background Checks Many different organizations need to do criminal background checks that include charges and convictions of sex crimes, fraud, embezzlement or felony convictions before they can make a decision about an individual. Employers, adoption agencies, branches of the military, and stores that sell firearms all require criminal background checks on individuals that want to be engaged with them.

Universal Background Checks

When someone wants to purchase a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, the person that is selling the firearm(s) needs to complete a background check via the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) to determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to purchase a firearm.

E-Verify Background Checks

E-Verify is used by employers to verify the identity and authorization of newly hired employees to work in the United States. This online check compares government records with information from the I-9 form for new employees. The I-9 form and E-Verify background checks are similar in purpose but the E-Verify background check verifies whether or not new employees are authorized to work in the United States.

Fingerprint Background Checks

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) stores more than 35 million sets of fingerprints. These fingerprints are primarily submitted by law enforcement agencies. This kind of background check is typically used in conjunction with other background checks as part of pre-employment screening processes.

There are many other kinds of background checks that are not mentioned here. It is important to know the kind of background check a person is getting if they want to know whether or not dismissed charges will show up on it.

Be informed with Legal Claims Solutions.