Disposition in Law: Legal Definition Explained

The term “disposition” appears frequently in legal documents, court proceedings, and case management systems, yet many people remain unclear about its precise meaning. In the legal context, disposition refers to the final settlement, outcome, or decision of a legal case. It encompasses how a matter is resolved—whether through a verdict, plea agreement, dismissal, settlement, or other conclusive action. Understanding disposition is essential for anyone navigating the legal system, from defendants facing criminal charges to plaintiffs pursuing civil claims.

Disposition matters because it determines the official record of how a case concluded and can have significant consequences for all parties involved. The disposition becomes part of your permanent legal record and may affect future employment, housing, licensing, and other opportunities. This comprehensive guide explores the meaning of disposition, its various forms, and how it applies across different areas of law.

What Does Disposition Mean in Legal Terms?

In legal terminology, disposition is the final determination or judgment of a case. It represents the conclusive action taken by a court, judge, or legal authority that brings a case to completion. The disposition is distinct from the merits of the case—it focuses on how the case ended rather than the reasoning behind the decision.

The word “disposition” itself derives from the Latin “disponere,” meaning to arrange or settle. In legal practice, this translates to the formal resolution of a matter. A disposition can occur at various stages of litigation, from early dismissal through trial verdict or post-trial appeals. Courts maintain detailed disposition records because they serve as official documentation of case outcomes and help track judicial workload and case management efficiency.

Key characteristics of a disposition include:

• Finality: A disposition marks the end of a case at a particular procedural stage, though appeals may follow
• Official Record: Dispositions are documented in court records and become part of the public legal database
• Legal Consequences: The type of disposition can significantly impact sentencing, damages awards, and future legal proceedings
• Specificity: Each disposition code identifies the exact manner in which the case concluded

Understanding the specific disposition in your case helps you comprehend what the outcome means and what legal implications follow. Different jurisdictions may use slightly different terminology or codes for dispositions, but the fundamental concept remains consistent across the U.S. legal system.

Types of Case Dispositions

Courts recognize numerous types of dispositions, each with distinct meanings and consequences. The specific type of disposition depends on how the case was resolved and at what stage of proceedings the resolution occurred.

Verdict: A verdict represents the decision reached by a jury or judge after trial. In jury trials, the verdict is the collective decision of jurors regarding guilt or innocence in criminal cases, or liability and damages in civil cases. Judges issue verdicts in bench trials where no jury participates. Verdicts are binding unless overturned on appeal.

Guilty Plea: When a defendant pleads guilty, they admit to the charges against them. This disposition bypasses trial and moves directly to sentencing in criminal cases. Guilty pleas account for approximately 90% of criminal case dispositions in the United States.

Not Guilty Plea/Acquittal: An acquittal disposition occurs when a jury finds a defendant not guilty or when a judge determines the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Acquittals cannot be appealed by prosecutors due to double jeopardy protections.

Dismissal: A case may be dismissed for various reasons, including insufficient evidence, prosecutorial error, violation of defendant rights, or failure to meet procedural requirements. Dismissals can be with prejudice (preventing refiling) or without prejudice (allowing future prosecution). Learn more about how to file a motion to dismiss to understand this important procedural tool.

Settlement: In civil cases, parties may reach a settlement agreement, concluding the case without trial. Settlements typically involve one party agreeing to pay compensation to resolve the dispute. This disposition is common in personal injury, contract, and property disputes.

Nolo Contendere (No Contest Plea): A defendant may enter a “no contest” plea, which differs from a guilty plea in that it does not constitute an admission of guilt. However, the legal consequences are identical to a guilty plea. This plea is not available in all jurisdictions or offense types.

Mistrial: When a judge determines that trial procedures were fundamentally flawed or that jury misconduct occurred, they may declare a mistrial. This disposition nullifies the trial, and the case may be retried.

Diversion or Deferred Adjudication: Some cases are disposed through alternative programs where charges are dropped if the defendant completes specified conditions, such as counseling, community service, or education programs. This disposition is increasingly common for first-time or minor offenders.

Disposition in Criminal Law

In criminal law, disposition holds particular significance because it determines whether a defendant is convicted or acquitted and directly impacts sentencing and future consequences. Criminal dispositions are categorized into three primary groups: convictions, acquittals, and dismissals.

Conviction Dispositions: Convictions occur through guilty pleas or guilty verdicts. Once convicted, a defendant faces sentencing determined by the judge, which may include imprisonment, fines, probation, restitution, or a combination of penalties. The severity of conviction disposition depends on the offense classification—felonies carry more serious consequences than misdemeanors.

Understanding your disposition is crucial when facing criminal charges. Whether you’re contesting a traffic ticket or facing more serious charges, the disposition determines your rights and obligations going forward.

Acquittal and Dismissal Dispositions: When a case is dismissed or results in acquittal, the defendant is released from criminal liability for those specific charges. However, the distinction between dismissal and acquittal matters for future prosecution. A dismissal with prejudice bars refiling charges, while a dismissal without prejudice allows prosecutors to refile.

Collateral Consequences: Criminal dispositions have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate sentencing. Convictions can result in loss of voting rights, professional licensing restrictions, immigration consequences for non-citizens, and employment discrimination. These collateral consequences make the disposition outcome critically important to criminal defendants.

Appellate Review: Criminal dispositions can be appealed on various grounds, including ineffective assistance of counsel, evidentiary errors, or constitutional violations. Successful appeals may result in case dismissal, acquittal, or resentencing.

Disposition in Civil Law

Civil law dispositions determine liability and damages awards between private parties. Unlike criminal cases, civil dispositions do not result in incarceration but may require monetary compensation, injunctive relief, or other remedies.

Judgment for Plaintiff: When a plaintiff prevails in civil litigation, the disposition is “judgment for plaintiff.” This may result from a jury verdict, judge’s decision, or summary judgment motion. The plaintiff receives damages as determined by the court.

Judgment for Defendant: When a defendant prevails, the disposition reflects that the plaintiff failed to prove their claims by the preponderance of the evidence standard required in civil cases. The defendant is absolved of liability.

Settlement Disposition: Many civil cases conclude through settlement agreements where parties negotiate terms and reach mutual agreement. Settlement dispositions provide certainty and avoid trial risk for both parties. These are particularly common in personal injury cases.

Summary Judgment: Courts may grant summary judgment dispositions when undisputed facts establish that one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. This disposition bypasses trial and resolves the case based on legal principles applied to established facts.

Dismissal on Pleadings: Civil cases may be dismissed based on the complaint or defendant’s response if legal deficiencies exist. For example, failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted results in dismissal disposition.

How Dispositions Affect Your Legal Record

Your case disposition becomes part of your permanent legal record, which has significant implications for your future. Different dispositions carry different weight and consequences in various contexts.

Criminal Record Impact: A conviction disposition creates a criminal record that appears on background checks conducted by employers, landlords, licensing boards, and other entities. Some jurisdictions allow record sealing or expungement of certain dispositions, particularly for first-time offenders or minor offenses. Acquittal and dismissal dispositions typically do not create criminal records, though arrest records may still be visible.

Employment Consequences: Employers frequently conduct background checks that reveal dispositions. While not all convictions automatically disqualify applicants, certain positions—particularly those involving vulnerable populations, financial responsibilities, or security clearances—have strict restrictions based on criminal dispositions.

Housing and Licensing: Landlords may deny housing based on criminal dispositions, and professional licensing boards may deny or revoke licenses based on conviction dispositions. Understanding your disposition helps you anticipate these challenges.

Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens face severe immigration consequences from certain criminal dispositions, including deportation. Even dispositions that seem minor under U.S. law may trigger immigration consequences.

Distinguishing Disposition Types: The legal system recognizes important distinctions between different dispositions. An acquittal or dismissal disposition is significantly different from a conviction disposition in terms of public perception and legal consequences, even though both conclude the case. Consult the legal terms glossary to understand other related terminology.

Finding Your Case Disposition

If you need to locate your case disposition, several resources are available depending on your jurisdiction and case type.

Court Records Access: Most courts maintain public records of dispositions accessible through court websites or in-person visits to the courthouse. State and federal court systems typically provide online case search tools where you can enter case numbers or names to retrieve disposition information.

Criminal Records Databases: For criminal cases, state criminal records repositories maintain conviction and acquittal dispositions. The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database contains criminal history information accessible through law enforcement and authorized entities.

Legal Document Services: Numerous online services provide case disposition searches, though some charge fees for detailed information. Court websites typically offer free access to basic disposition information.

Attorney Assistance: Your attorney can request certified copies of disposition documents from the court. These official documents are necessary for many purposes, including record sealing or expungement petitions, employment applications, or professional licensing.

Understanding Disposition Codes: Courts use standardized disposition codes to categorize case outcomes. Learning your jurisdiction’s coding system helps you quickly identify what your disposition means. Many courts provide guides explaining disposition code meanings on their websites.

When pursuing small claims cases, understanding disposition terminology helps you comprehend the court’s final decision and any appeals options available.

FAQ

What is the difference between disposition and sentencing?

Disposition is the court’s determination of the case outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, settled), while sentencing is the punishment imposed following a guilty disposition. Sentencing occurs after disposition is determined and includes imprisonment, fines, probation, or other penalties.

Can a disposition be changed after it is entered?

Dispositions can potentially be modified through appeals, motions for new trial, or post-conviction relief proceedings. However, the process is challenging and requires demonstrating significant legal errors or constitutional violations. Some jurisdictions allow limited modification of dispositions within specific timeframes.

Does an acquittal disposition appear on background checks?

Acquittal dispositions typically do not appear on criminal background checks because they do not result in conviction. However, arrest records may still be visible on some background reports. Many jurisdictions allow arrest records to be sealed or expunged if the case results in acquittal or dismissal.

How does a disposition affect future criminal cases?

Prior dispositions significantly impact future cases. Conviction dispositions may enhance penalties for subsequent offenses, trigger mandatory minimum sentences, or support charges like habitual offender or repeat offender designations. Acquittal dispositions provide double jeopardy protection and prevent prosecution for the same charges.

What should I do if I disagree with my case disposition?

If you disagree with your disposition, consult an attorney about appeal options. Appeals must typically be filed within specific timeframes and must identify legal errors or constitutional violations. Post-conviction relief motions may also be available in some circumstances.

Can dispositions be sealed or expunged?

Many jurisdictions allow sealing or expungement of certain dispositions, particularly for first-time offenders, juvenile cases, or dismissed charges. Eligibility depends on the specific offense, disposition type, and jurisdiction. An attorney can determine whether your disposition qualifies for sealing or expungement.