satpak77

If you got fingerprinted and age 18+ in association to the above incident, by a law enforcement organization, it is on record somewhere. It will show "dismissed" or whatever the courts decided to do with the criminal charge.

Observe most traffic violations asides from DUI/DWI result in a written promise (signature) to pay fine/appear in court/resolve things with judge. This is one of the only crimes where your signature on-the-spot allows you to "go free" pending resolution of the case. Observe also that no prints are taken (although you were likely printed for the DL to be issued and in theory, the traffic violation has a nexus to your DL).

Almost any arrest, any arrest (this doesn't not mean you had to be wearing handcuffs, but if you did wear handcuffs, then almost guaranteed...) results in a person being fingerprinted and entered into the FBI fingerprint database. Even if "cut loose" (released) a few hours later with the officer/detective telling you that "we will followup on this and present it to the prosecutor, until then, continue on with your life" type statement, the record is entered. This is because if you get indicted for the charge later, and become a fugitive (fail to present yourself to court proceedings), they need your prints to help track you down. If the charge is dismissed, your record will reflect "Arrested for Shoplifting - Charge Dismissed" or similar phraseology. Fingerprints also serve to facilitate missing children/sex crimes/etc databases. Teenager Billy arrested for sniffing glue, is gonna get printed. He may be a runaway from the next state over. (and may have past pending charges also). Etc

Sometimes smarter heads prevail (especially when dealing with youth crimes) and the SGT or supervisor at the PD station will quickly figure out that a good kid got mixed up with some knuckle head kids (vandalizing, etc) and intentionally not fingerprint the good kid, to not risk his college/military/future goals. This happens with adults also, but "officer discretion" is becoming less common in today's day and age.

The problem is not "do you have a criminal record" it is when the question "Have you ever been charged by the police or law enforcement for any violations besides traffic related offenses"

then you are in a trick bag if you don't answer honestly

Good Luck, we are not all angels and I understand that, the best policy is be honest from the beginning. My two cents