Q: I was arrested but charges dropped and case dismissed, do I now have a criminal record that will affect job hunting?
I was falsely accused of domestic violence and in CA. It is law for an arrest to take place when domestic violence is reported
A: In California, an arrest without a conviction can still appear on criminal background checks, which could potentially affect your job prospects. However, you have the option to petition the court for a factual innocence finding, which, if granted, would seal and destroy the arrest record. Employers in California are generally not allowed to ask about arrests that did not lead to a conviction, but the arrest could still show up on more extensive background checks, such as those required for government positions.
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