If Charges Are Dismissed Does It Show Up on a Background Check?

Michelle Wilson - October 6, 2025

One of the main purposes of a background check is to look for criminal records, arrest records, charges, and convictions. While this information appears on a background check, you might be curious about dismissed charges and how they might impact the background check process.

So, if you’re wondering – if charges are dismissed does it show up on a background check? Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. This article covers everything you need to know about dismissed charges and how they impact background checks. 

We also cover some more general information about background checks and how you can check your records before applying for a position. 

What Is a Background Check? 

A background check is more of a process than a single thing. Companies will work with agencies or public database search tools to find public records that are available about someone. 

Most background checks will verify someone’s identity, check for social media activity, and dive into someone’s criminal history. The main purpose of a background check is to ensure that an applicant meets a company’s standards before they’re hired.

What Shows Up on a Background Check?

A lot of information shows up on a background check. While many people are quick to think that they only cover criminal records, this isn’t the case at all. In fact, background checks like to get personal and dig deep into anything that’s publicly available.

During a background check, expect the following information to reach the surface:

• Full name 
• Date of birth 
• SSN verification 
• Criminal records 
• Sex offender status 
• Marriage and divorce records 
• Civil court records 
• Social media accounts 
• Dating profiles 
• Previous employment 
• Education level 

Background checks will also verify your references and check over your resume for inconsistencies, so make sure everything is up to date before you apply.

How Far Back Do Background Checks Go?

Background checks go back five to ten years, depending on the type of background check and the state where the background check is being run. That said, some records may stay on your record permanently. For example, Texas has a zero-tolerance policy on felonies, so background checks can view records that are older than seven or ten years. 

On the other hand, states like New York and California have laws in place to prevent companies from making decisions based on criminal records that are more than seven years old.

It’s also important to note that this doesn’t apply to sexual crimes. For example, level 3 sex offenders have to remain registered on a sex offender registry indefinitely in most states. Therefore, a background check can reveal these records indefinitely.

What Is a Dismissal?

A dismissal occurs when charges against someone are dropped. This can happen when someone goes to trial, and it’s a potential outcome of violations, misdemeanors, and even felonies. For a case to be dismissed, the defendant has to be proven not guilty. 

Charges can also be dropped by the prosecution before a case goes to trial if there is sufficient evidence suggesting that the defendant is not guilty.

Do Dismissals Show Up on a Background Check?

Dismissals show up on a background check. The only way to have them not show up on a background check is to have the case expunged. This can be done by working with an attorney and reaching out to the judge. You’ll have to pay a premium for representation, and you’ll have to win the case, so it’s not always worth it.

Do Dismissals on a Background Check Impact Your Ability to Get Hired?

Dismissals don’t impact your ability to get hired. If they show up on a background check, you don’t have to worry about employers rejecting your application. 

The only time an employer may ask more questions is during a more intensive background check for a government position. For example, an FBI background check may be more in-depth and dig deeper into the charges and the reason for their dismissal.

How to Expunge Dismissals 

The best way to remove a dismissal from your criminal record is to have the case expunged. Typically, you have to send the court a letter or file a petition to have the dismissal removed from your record. We recommend working with a lawyer for the best results because they’ll know what to say to the judge. 

In most states, there is a waiting period for dismissals, but this can vary based on the state. Always consult with a lawyer in your state for the best results. 

While it’s a good idea to have anything on your record that shouldn’t be there expunged, you shouldn’t have to worry about dismissals because they don’t impact your ability to get hired.

What Type of Criminal Records Show Up on a Background Check?

There are a lot of criminal records that can appear on a background check, so whether or not a case is dismissed might not be the only thing you have to worry about. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared, especially for a level 2 background check, which digs deep into criminal records, even if you have a dismissal or two.

Learn more about the types of cases and criminal records that can appear on a background check.

Convictions 

Background checks will reveal any convictions. A conviction occurs when someone is found guilty of a crime. Once someone is convicted, they can be sentenced to jail, community service, probation, or even pay a fine. When a background check is run, convictions are the most common records that appear.

Pleas

Most court cases result in some type of plea deal. While a plea might seem lighter than a conviction, this isn’t true. This is because a plea tends to be an admission of guilt to get a better sentence. For example, plea deals are often used to reduce jail time, lower fines, or keep someone out of jail with probation or community service. 

Therefore, pleas are similar to convictions because the defendant is agreeing to terms set by the court. For this reason, background checks tend to reveal information about pleas. 

Arrest Records 

Arrest records will also show up on a background check. It doesn’t matter if the person was convicted or released; these records will show up on a background check. Arrest records cover when someone was arrested, where they were arrested, and the initial charges. Similarly, warrants for someone’s arrest and other types of warrants can also show up on a background check.

While arrest records will show up on a background check, arrest records are easier to get rid of than other criminal records. This is because you can have them expunged after 30 days.

Sentencing Records 

How someone is sentenced will also appear on a background check. If someone has community service, jail time, or probation, employers running a background check can see this information. Sentencing records tend to include:

• Jail and prison records 
• Community service details down to the hours 
• The location of the jail, community service, or probation 
• Length of sentence, community service, or probation 

When it comes to sentencing, background checks are thorough, so keep this in mind during the application process.

How to Check Your Criminal Records 

The best way to know if charges will show up during a backyard check is to check your criminal records. To check your criminal records, we recommend using our background check tool. It helps you run a quick background check that will reveal information about your public records. This information includes:

• Date of birth 
• Full name 
• Contact information 
• Court records 
• Arrest records 
• Criminal records 
• Jail records 
• Probation information 
• Bankruptcies 

Aside from this information, you can find anything that’s a public record. This is helpful if you’re applying for credit cards or want to see if anything is wrong with your records. 

Additionally, this check can let you know if certain criminal records are still showing up on your report so you can take action to expunge them before applying for a job.

Prepare for a Background Check Today 

Criminal records have a habit of sticking around for at least five to ten years. How long these records stay on your criminal record depends on the nature of the crime, where you’re located, and the type of background check. That said, if you’re only worried about violation of misdemeanor charges, you shouldn’t have to worry about your records after five to ten years; the main concern on most background checks is felonies. 

Regardless of the charges, we always recommend running a check on yourself with one of our people search tools just to be sure. At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with being over-prepared. Plus, knowing if something is wrong with your criminal record can help you address the problem before you apply.