Hey, just had a quick question about my background check. The prosecuting attorney is dropping the charges based on me completing the first-time offenders class. But he said he’d plead me guilty. Would that guilty plea show up on my background check? Trying to figure this out before anything pops up unexpectedly. Anyone know how this works?
Pretty sure a guilty plea will show up on your background check. But it might depend on your state’s laws. Where’s this happening?
Zayden said:
Pretty sure a guilty plea will show up on your background check. But it might depend on your state’s laws. Where’s this happening?
Oh, yeah… I forgot to mention, this is happening in Texas. Do the rules change by state?
Zayden said:
Pretty sure a guilty plea will show up on your background check. But it might depend on your state’s laws. Where’s this happening?
Yeah, laws definitely change by state. In Texas, a guilty plea usually shows up unless you get it expunged or something.
Wait, so if the charges are being dropped, why would you be pleading guilty? Isn’t that contradictory?
Oscar said:
Wait, so if the charges are being dropped, why would you be pleading guilty? Isn’t that contradictory?
Good question. I guess it’s part of some deal where the charges get dropped if I complete a program. But the guilty plea is still there? IDK, it’s confusing.
Oscar said:
Wait, so if the charges are being dropped, why would you be pleading guilty? Isn’t that contradictory?
Sounds like it’s a deferred prosecution thing. They dismiss the charges if you do the program, but technically, you admitted guilt first. You should double-check how that shows up on a background check, though.
I think it’s called ‘deferred adjudication’ in some states. Maybe that’s what you’re doing? It can still appear on your record unless you get it sealed.
Reilly said:
I think it’s called ‘deferred adjudication’ in some states. Maybe that’s what you’re doing? It can still appear on your record unless you get it sealed.
Ohhh, that sounds familiar. So if it’s sealed, it doesn’t show up on a background check?
Reilly said:
I think it’s called ‘deferred adjudication’ in some states. Maybe that’s what you’re doing? It can still appear on your record unless you get it sealed.
Exactly. But you gotta make sure the process is actually completed. Otherwise, it stays on there.
Just curious, how do you even get something sealed or expunged? Sounds like a pain in the ass.
Dex said:
Just curious, how do you even get something sealed or expunged? Sounds like a pain in the ass.
Usually, you have to file a petition with the court and prove that you completed whatever program they asked you to do. Lawyers make it sound easy but the process can be tedious.
Dex said:
Just curious, how do you even get something sealed or expunged? Sounds like a pain in the ass.
Ugh, sounds complicated. Guess I’ll need to look into that.
FYI, even if it shows up on a background check, some employers don’t care if the charges were dropped. But you probably want to get it off your record just to be safe.
Briar said:
FYI, even if it shows up on a background check, some employers don’t care if the charges were dropped. But you probably want to get it off your record just to be safe.
Good point. I guess I just need to figure out if the plea itself shows up, or if only the final result matters.
Briar said:
FYI, even if it shows up on a background check, some employers don’t care if the charges were dropped. But you probably want to get it off your record just to be safe.
Yeah, exactly. Some background checks only show convictions. But others show everything, including dismissed charges.