I see this brought up all the time, and I never understand where you're expected to disclose them? Every app I've ever seen in my life asks specifically about convictions. I've never ever ever seen it asked "have you ever been arrested/charged?" You saying we're supposed to check 'Yes' on the conviction box over a dismissed charge? Hale no. So then where? Where would one disclose an old arrest that didn't lead to charges "just to be safe?" This is like answering the failed checkride question with a story about how you almost failed a checkride but then didn't.

Also, "the charges were dropped" isn't some kind of lame excuse, it's why we have a justice system. Why on earth should a charge that is later dismissed/dropped/not convicted on weigh negatively on someone? If it's a BS charge and gets dismissed, that should be the end of it. "Have you ever been convicted of..." "No."