What shows up on my background check when employers search it?

Will non-conviction/dismissal show on rental screening criminal check?

• Sorry for the long post. I had 4 "controlled substance violation" felony charges (same case) brought against me in the state of WA, in 2006, for marijuana. All charges were dismissed. I have no other arrest/charges/anything before or since that, and I have good credit. Recently when trying to rent an apartment in KS (job requires frequent relocation), I was denied because of this. I found out after the fact that the apartments are subsidized by the government and she said there were no exceptions because of this, despite the dismissal. I contacted the Washing State Patrol, and they told me that it should not have shown up at all because it was a non-conviction. I ran my name through their WATCH website and no results were returned. I am in the process of figuring out how to have the charges expunged/deleted (that is all confusing in itself), but I will still need a place to rent soon. So I have a few questions: -Will the charges show on ANY rental screening background check, or did it show on this particular one because it is a government subsidized property, so their search is more thorough? The fact that WSP told me it shouldn't have shown up is very confusing to me. - The next places I am thinking of applying at, in Idaho, run their criminal check through TransUnion (I assume the SmartMove product). Will it show up on this? I thought of purchasing my criminal report through them myself, but you can only purchase a criminal report if a landlord initiates the process on their end. Even then, I'm not sure if they send you a copy. - On applications, when it ask for convictions - should I be putting yes, despite the dismissal? I know it's not a conviction, but if it shows up I do not want it to seem that I was trying to lie to them. - In my research I found something that I understood to mean that after 7 years have passed, it will no longer show on any background check unless certain exceptions are met. Is this the case? Thanks everyone.

• Answer:

  Yes, it will show up on you criminal history and it will also show dismissed or other wise. It is true for gov. properties that a conviction does not matter but most gov. properties have a time period of three to five years. If its that old, it should not mattered unless the substance was more than marijuana. Each state has its on laws but you can purchase your own criminal record to see what's listed and go from there or you may be able to visit the States' online court records and see if it is listed online. Getting it remove maybe just a visit to the court of clerks office or consist of several letters from character witnesses, proof of good citizenship and a governor's application to expunged.