What is a Disposition?

A disposition is the current status or final outcome of a criminal case.

In court systems, the disposition explains what happened after criminal charges were filed. Dispositions are commonly included on criminal background checks because they help provide context about how a case was resolved.

Without disposition information, a criminal record may only show that charges existed, not whether the person was convicted, the case was dismissed, or the matter remains unresolved.

Why Dispositions Matter

A criminal charge by itself does not always explain the outcome of a case.

For example, two individuals may both have records showing the same criminal charge, but the cases may have ended very differently.

One case may have resulted in:

• A conviction
• A guilty plea
• Jail time
• Probation

The other may have resulted in:

• A dismissal
• An acquittal
• Deferred adjudication
• Diversion

The disposition provides important context about the outcome of the case and may affect how criminal record information is interpreted, evaluated, or if it is legally reportable under applicable laws.

Common Types of Dispositions

Dispositions can vary by jurisdiction, court system, and state law. However, several common disposition categories appear frequently during criminal record research.

Convicted

A conviction generally means the court determined the individual was guilty of the offense, either through a guilty plea or a court verdict.

Convictions may result in jail or prison sentences, probation, fines, court supervision, time served, or other court-ordered conditions.

Nolo Contendere (No Contest)

A nolo contendere plea, often called “no contest,” means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts criminal penalties or court resolution without contesting the charge.

The legal effect and reporting treatment may vary by jurisdiction and applicable law.

Dismissed

A dismissal means the court closed the case without a conviction.

Cases may be dismissed for many reasons, including lack of evidence, witness issues, prosecutorial decisions, plea agreements, or procedural issues.

A dismissal does not necessarily mean the arrest or charge never occurred, but it does mean the case did not end in a conviction.

Pending

A pending disposition means the case is still active and has not reached a final outcome.

The case may still involve court hearings, plea negotiations, trial proceedings, sentencing, or diversion review.

Pending cases may eventually result in dismissal, conviction, or another resolution.

Deferred Adjudication or Diversion

Some courts offer programs that allow certain cases to be resolved without a traditional conviction if the individual successfully completes specific conditions. These conditions may include counseling, treatment programs, community service, probation, or other court requirements. Terminology varies by jurisdiction and may include terms like deferred adjudication, pretrial diversion, or mental health diversion.

When a court grants diversion, proceedings are suspended while the individual completes the program. Because no conviction has occurred and the case has not reached a final resolution, diversion cases are generally not reportable under applicable law. In California, Mental Health Diversion cases are specifically governed by Penal Code 1001.36 and are not considered reportable records.

This is a common source of confusion for employers. A fingerprint-based search or a criminal database may surface the underlying charge without indicating that diversion was granted. A properly reviewed background report evaluates the disposition of each record before reporting it. If that review does not happen, a non-reportable diversion case may appear to be an open or unresolved matter when it is not.

The final reporting outcome for deferred adjudication and diversion cases may differ depending on the court, the jurisdiction, and the applicable laws in that state.

Acquitted or Not Guilty

An acquittal means the court found the individual not guilty of the charges after the legal process concluded.

Why Disposition Information May Be Missing

Disposition information is not always available or complete.

Several factors can affect disposition reporting, including:

• Court reporting delays
• Incomplete electronic court records
• Jurisdiction limitations
• Database limitations
• Older archived cases
• Courts that do not report updated outcomes consistently

Some criminal databases may contain filing information but lack updated disposition details.

Relying only on a database search is not recommended, as databases generally do not provide the most current, reliable, or complete court information. Potential records identified through database searches should be confirmed at the county court level whenever possible.

Why Dispositions Can Be Difficult to Interpret

Disposition terminology varies significantly between jurisdictions.

Different courts may use different language to describe similar outcomes.

Examples include:

• Deferred Entry of Judgment
• Adjudication Withheld
• Nolle Prosequi
• Suspended Imposition of Sentence

These terms may have different meanings depending on the jurisdiction involved.

Some cases may also involve multiple charges with different dispositions within the same case.

How Disposition Information Is Used During Background Screening

Background screening providers may review disposition information to better understand:

• Whether the case is still active
• Whether a conviction occurred
• The current status of the case
• Whether additional court research may be necessary
• Whether the record is legally reportable under applicable laws

Employers may also consider disposition information when evaluating job relevance, workplace safety considerations, hiring policies, and other factors related to the position.

Common Employer Misunderstandings

“An Arrest Means the Person Was Convicted”

Not necessarily. An arrest or criminal filing does not automatically mean the individual was convicted. The disposition helps explain what happened after the charge was filed.

“Dismissed Cases Mean Nothing Happened”

A dismissal means the case did not result in a conviction, but the underlying arrest or filing may still appear depending on the court system and applicable laws.

“All Courts Use the Same Disposition Terms”

Disposition terminology varies significantly between jurisdictions and court systems.

“Pending Means Guilty”

A pending case simply means the legal process is still ongoing and no final disposition has been reached.

Final Thoughts

Disposition information helps explain the status or outcome of a criminal case after charges are filed.

Without dispositions, criminal records may provide incomplete context about whether a case resulted in conviction, dismissal, acquittal, diversion, or another resolution.

Because court systems vary significantly, disposition reporting and terminology can differ from one jurisdiction to another. Some records may also lack complete disposition information due to reporting delays or court limitations.

Understanding what dispositions mean helps employers better interpret criminal background reports and make more informed hiring decisions based on the available court information.

Related Articles

• Do Pending Charges Appear on a Background Check?
• County vs. Federal Criminal Searches
• How Criminal Records Are Stored and Searched
• Why Criminal Records Are Missing From Databases
• What Shows Up on a Background Check?
• What Employers Need to Know About Pre-Adverse Action