I Finished My Probation and Paid My Debt to Society, but the Case Still Appears on My Background Check and I’m Getting Turned Down for Jobs
Completing probation and satisfying all court requirements does not automatically remove the case from your background check. Many people assume once they’ve “paid their debt to society,” their record clears itself, but that isn’t how the system works. Depending on your state and the age of the case, the charge may still legally appear unless it is expunged, sealed, or incorrectly reported.
However, if the information is inaccurate, outdated, misleading, or reported longer than the law allows, you may have a claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Why the Case Still Appears on Your Background Check
Even after completing probation, a case may still show up because:
The charge was never expunged or sealed
The case resulted in a conviction (many remain on record permanently)
The case is within the 7-year reporting window allowed in many states
Third-party databases or data brokers still show outdated info
The disposition (final result) was updated in court but not in digital systems
HireRight, Checkr, First Advantage, or another company pulled old data
Your identity is mixed with someone else’s
The court closing your probation does not automatically remove the record.
When Reporting the Case Becomes Illegal
Under the FCRA, background check companies must report information that is:
accurate
up-to-date
complete
not misleading
You may have an FCRA claim if:
The case is shown as pending even though it’s closed
The case is reported as a felony instead of a misdemeanor
The disposition is missing or incorrect
An expunged or sealed case still appears
The case is older than 7 years (in many states) and still being reported
Someone else’s record is mixed into your report
Even if the case can appear legally, it must be reported correctly.
How to Fix a Case That Still Appears on Your Background Check
Follow these steps:
1. Get your official court records. Request:
the final disposition
proof you completed probation
any expungement or sealing eligibility info
2. Compare the court records with your background report. Look for errors like:
wrong charge level
outdated status
missing dismissal
incorrect dates
pending status after closure
3. File a dispute with the background check company. Submit:
a written explanation
copies of your court documents
proof of completion of all requirements
They are required to reinvestigate and update your record.
4. Consider sealing or expunging the case. Depending on your state, you may be eligible for:
expungement
sealing
set-aside
nondisclosure order
certificate of rehabilitation
These actions can remove the case from most background checks.
5. Contact an FCRA attorney. If the mistake caused:
job rejections
lost wages
repeated denials
reputational harm
You may be entitled to compensation.
How We Can Help
If your case is closed but still harming your job opportunities, we can investigate whether it’s being reported illegally, challenge the background check errors, and pursue compensation under the FCRA, with no upfront cost to you.