The difference between charged and convicted?

Question

Ok so I was hanging with the wrong people and we both got caught shoplifting, and then the policeman gave me a ticket for a court date. Well, today I got a letter saying this:
"Please be informed that the charges of Petty Larceny now pending an Intake appointment against your son/daughter has/have been dropped by the District Attorney's Office. If your son/daughter has no other charges pending in the Juvenile Court System, your appearance will not be necessary on 17 Feb. 2011"

So does that mean I have it on my criminal record?
And if it does, can I still go to college or apply for a job?
BTW, I live in Nevada

Answer 1

When you are charged, it means they will attempt to have you proven guilty of the charges. You are not convicted until a jury finds you guilty or you plead guilty to the charges.

Answer 2

A charge means that you got caught doing something but they have not decided any sort of a punishment yet. Convicted is when you are sent to prison. An example would be: Say the police think you killed someone. They take you into custody and you are "charged" with murder. At this point, you haven't yet had to go to court and plead your case. Now say in court, the jury finds you guilty and you are given a prison sentence. You have now been "convicted" of murder. I wish I could give clearer definitions, but I hope the example helps. I



f you are charged, you can still apply for a job, but they may not want to hire you. You can still go to college. It does go on your criminal record even if you are found not guilty.

Answer 3

First of all its Petit Larceny. No, you will not have a record- READ- CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED.