Quick answer
A disposition is the official outcome of a criminal case. It is the court's final determination — guilty, dismissed, acquitted, deferred, or pending — recorded in the court's records and reported on background checks. The disposition tells you how the case ended; the disposition date tells you when.
When a background check returns a criminal record, every charge carries a disposition field. That field is the single most important piece of information on the record — it determines whether the charge resulted in a conviction, was dropped, is still open, or ended in acquittal. Reading it correctly is the difference between a compliant hiring decision and a costly mistake.
What disposition means in court
In the court system, a disposition is the final resolution of a case. Once a case has a disposition, it is closed — the court has made its determination and recorded it. Before that point, the case is open or pending.
Dispositions fall into three broad categories: convictions (the defendant was found or pleaded guilty), non-convictions (the case ended without a guilty finding), and open/pending (no outcome yet). Within those categories there are a dozen or more specific disposition types, each with different implications for background checks.
Every disposition type — and what it means on a background check
The table below covers every disposition type you are likely to encounter. The "background check" column reflects general FCRA rules; state law can be more restrictive.
| Disposition | Category | On a background check |
|---|---|---|
| Guilty | Conviction | Reportable conviction. FCRA and state law govern how long it may appear. |
| No contest (nolo contendere) | Conviction | Treated as a conviction for background check purposes in most states. |
| Adjudication withheld | Conviction (varies) | Treatment varies by state. May or may not count as a conviction. |
| Dismissed | Non-conviction | Not a conviction. May still appear; state laws restrict use in hiring. |
| Acquitted / Not guilty | Non-conviction | Not a conviction. Many states prohibit using acquittals in hiring decisions. |
| Nolle prosequi (nol pros) | Non-conviction | Functions as a dismissal. Not a conviction. |
| No bill / No true bill | Non-conviction | Not a conviction. Case did not proceed to trial. |
| Deferred adjudication / Deferred prosecution | Diversion | Outcome depends on completion. Dismissed if completed; may convert to conviction if not. |
| Conditional discharge | Diversion | Typically a non-conviction if conditions are met. State law governs reportability. |
| Pending / Awaiting disposition | Open | No outcome yet. Employer use of pending charges is heavily restricted in many states. |
Conviction vs. non-conviction: why the distinction matters
The FCRA does not prohibit reporting non-conviction records, but many states do restrict how employers and landlords can use them. In California, for example, arrests that did not lead to conviction generally cannot be considered in hiring decisions. New York's Article 23-A requires individualized assessment before acting on any criminal record.
The practical rule: a conviction is a finding of guilt. Everything else — dismissed, acquitted, nolle prosequi, deferred — is not a conviction, and treating it as one exposes you to FCRA liability and state-law claims.
What a blank or missing disposition means
A blank disposition field does not mean the case is unresolved — it often means the court's electronic index was never updated after the case closed. This is common in older records and in jurisdictions with limited court automation.
Before acting on a record with no disposition, the right step is to research the case at the courthouse directly. A certified copy of the court's docket will show the actual outcome. Never assume a blank disposition is a conviction.
Disposition vs. disposition date
These are two different fields that appear together on most background check reports:
| Field | What it answers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Disposition | How did the case end? | Guilty — Misdemeanor |
| Disposition date | When did it end? | 03/14/2019 |
The disposition date is the clock-start for FCRA reporting timeframes. A seven-year-old conviction may have dropped off the reportable window; a recent one may not. You need both fields to make that determination.
Frequently asked questions
What is a disposition?
A disposition is the official outcome of a criminal case — the court's final determination of how the case ended. Common dispositions include guilty, dismissed, acquitted, nolle prosequi, deferred adjudication, and pending.
What does disposition mean on a background check?
On a background check, the disposition field shows the final outcome of each charge. A conviction (guilty, no contest) is a finding against the subject. A dismissal, acquittal, or nolle prosequi is not a conviction. A blank or 'pending' disposition means the case has not yet been resolved.
What is the meaning of disposition in court?
In court, disposition refers to the final resolution of a case — how it ended. Common court dispositions include guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi, acquitted, deferred adjudication, and conditional discharge.
Is a dismissed charge the same as not guilty?
Not exactly. A dismissal means the case was dropped — often because of insufficient evidence, a procedural issue, or a diversion program. A not guilty verdict means the defendant was tried and acquitted. Both are non-convictions, but they arise from different processes.
What does pending disposition mean?
Pending disposition means the case has not been resolved yet. The charge has been filed but no court has determined the outcome. The person has not been convicted, acquitted, or had the case dismissed.
Can a dismissed charge still appear on a background check?
Yes. Dismissed charges can appear on background checks, though many states restrict their use in employment and housing decisions. The FCRA does not prohibit reporting non-convictions, but state laws vary widely.
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