worried about background check

[RN171, ADN, RN]

I got accepted in a two yr adn program and have my prerequisite classes that will start on September. I got a packet of things I have to complete before starting clinicals and one of them is a background check. I'm scared they won't let me continue in the program because when I was 12 i was arrested for shoplifting and had my finger prints taken but I never got a court date or had to pay anything. Will it still appear in my record? If it does would I still be accepted? I'm so scared that it'll stop me from getting in 😢

[rollieschmollie]

As far as I know, juvenile court documents are sealed and do not show up on background checks. It sounds like the police were just scaring you by doing your fingerprints, since you didn't go to court.

If it makes you feel better, I know plenty of people that shoplifted as teenagers (15-17 yrs old) went to court and that stuff is not on background checks.

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

I am not in a position to be an authority on legal advice, so take this with a grain of salt, but I doubt that it would be a problem if you weren't convicted and were only 12.