My shoplifting case was dismissed 20 years ago

When i first came to the State 20 years ago, my English was very limited. I went to Carson Pirie Scott on one Super Sunday Sale to buy clothes so I can send to my brothers and sisters back in my country. The store was very crowded, I bought a lot of clothes a girls, and then moved to the boys section. I put my shopping bags down to go through the rack, and someone switch my bag. I was still in the store when the LP people came to take me to the back room. I had receipt but they did not match with the merchandise in my bag. Any way, they called the police and I spent hours in jail and my ex-husbank bailed me out. When I went to court a a lawyer, the case was dismissed. I was so happy that I did not ask why and what would it affect me. My English was not so good any way. My lawyer retired and I did not know how to find out if it meant I did not have a record?

Please advise.

If the case was dismissed, then you don't have a record because you weren't convicted of anything. If you are concerned about what might appear on your criminal record, or want to confirm that it was in fact properly dismissed, you can get a copy of your criminal record - probably from your state police department (check their website). There is probably a small fee.