When Old Convictions Won’t Die

When Marie, a computer programmer in the Los Angeles area, pleaded “no contest” to a misdemeanor shoplifting charge more than a year ago, she did so only because a judge assured her the case would be dismissed after 12 months’ probation.

But now that the year has passed, Marie said she was surprised to find out that while the case has been dismissed, everything else about it remains in the public record. Using the court’s website, she said, anyone can find out about her arrest and the no-contest plea preceding the dismissal — including employers. Read More