Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

Hi. I am struggling with trying to find answers about my situation. Over a year ago I was arrested for shoplifting. It was horrible and way out of character and it is ruining me. I have nothing else on my record so the court said it was espoged and in the courts eyes I was never convicted of a crime. I thought that was good because I didn't have to put yes on applications for jobs about being convicted. However, I got a job recently as an athletic trainer and my background check came up with the simple misdeamnor-theft. Why is it on there if I never was convicted? Will all background checks find this? Is there ANYTHING I can do to get this off my record, money, community service, anything ! :( I am in school for physical therapy and I do not want this ruining my chances of getting a great job that I've worked really hard for. Thank you for your help!!!


Asked on 10/06/10, 12:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

I think what you received was a deferred judgment.

What it means is that you can honestly say you were never convicted of theft fifth.

However Iowa does not provide for expungement of records except for minor in possession of alcohol and the DCI maintains its file-as will the NCIC which means that you will always have this following you around to some extent. The NCIC maintains records of arrests as well-although access to those records is pretty strictly limited.

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Answered on 10/11/10, 2:36 pm


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