Guidoverduci- First...make sure you answer the question they are asking you. (ie. Have you ever been convicted of...?) If you've never been convicted for it...the answer is no. But, I would definately recommend noting that you were charged, but dismissed. I ran into a similar situation in the Air Force for a TS clearance, and that is exactly what they told me. If the question is open ended (ie Have you ever been charged...?) than answer appropriately.
fieldw- "Character bashes" alone cannot tarnish the application. The investigators will take into consideration that people sometimes talk about things they don't know about. I know someone who's references were asked about any drug use...they said yes (only because said persons friends had a reputation for doing it...so they assumed he did it too) The investigators dug until they got the real information...and he was cleared.
Hope this helps.
fieldw- "Character bashes" alone cannot tarnish the application. The investigators will take into consideration that people sometimes talk about things they don't know about. I know someone who's references were asked about any drug use...they said yes (only because said persons friends had a reputation for doing it...so they assumed he did it too) The investigators dug until they got the real information...and he was cleared.
Hope this helps.