Accepted to School, but just recieved an Open intox what to do?

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WinterIsComing94

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Before last weekend my app process had been going really well, I had already been accepted to two schools and had interviews at others. However, last weekend I was at my alma mater tailgating for a football game and I received an Open Intox because I had stepped outside the tailgate to answer a phone call with a beer in my hand foolishly and cops happened to be walking by and gave me an open intox ticket.

My attorney is confident that he will be able to get the misdemeanor dismissed and that I will not have to plea to anything or have any convictions on my record. My question is, is this something that I should report to my schools once the case gets resolved? AMCAS requires you to inform schools you have applied to of any convictions or pleas, but if this is resolved how my lawyer says it will be I technically shouldn't have any of these. I will just have a charge that was dismissed by the prosecutor.

I'm really worried right now! I know this was a foolish thing to have done I'm just wondering if this is the type of thing that schools that I have been accepted to may revoke my acceptance for.
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First of all, congratulations.

2nd of all, I'm so sorry that happened to you.

Can't imagine the roller coaster of emotions you're going through.
 
I know someone with a similar ticket...she showed up to court and since it was a first "offense" and it was reduced to a "public health violation" and they told her that if anyone asks "were you ever arrested or anything you can tell them no."
 
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Thank you, Yes it has been has been a very stressful past few days.

I'm hoping I will have a similar outcome it is also my first offense. From what I have been told by my attorney and others it happens to a lot of people on football Saturdays especially at my school.
 
bopper said:
I know someone with a similar ticket...she showed up to court and since it was a first "offense" and it was reduced to a "public health violation" and they told her that if anyone asks "were you ever arrested or anything you can tell them no."
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Is it me or does "public health violation" sound more like something a med school would care about than "open intox"? :laugh:

Edit: Smiley for tone
 
Last edited:
Some questions --
  1. Are you of legal drinking age?
  2. Open Intox -- Is that a simple "Open Container" in an unauthorized place charge? Or does the "Intox" wording mean you were intoxicated?
  3. How long will it take for the charge to be dismissed, assuming it is?
In my view, the biggest risk is from not reporting something reportable, so a lengthy dismissal process leaves you vulnerable. The charge itself is not so serious, assuming it's of the 'open container' variety versus of a 'public intoxication' flavor, and that you are of legal drinking age.

If it's going to take more than a very few months to get the charge dismissed, then be proactive about informing the schools that accepted you. Tell them you believe the charge will be dismissed, but in the interests of transparency...
 
freak7 said:
Is it me or does "public health violation" sound more like something a med school would care about than "open intox"?
Click to expand...

The point is that it is neither a misdemeanor nor a felony. Your explanation would be sufficient (stepped out of tailgate area with a beer in my hand to take a phone call, ticketed by police for open container). No one would be kicked out of medical school for this in M1 year and I doubt any school would kick you out as a M-1.
 
LizzyM said:
The point is that it is neither a misdemeanor nor a felony. Your explanation would be sufficient (stepped out of tailgate area with a beer in my hand to take a phone call, ticketed by police for open container). No one would be kicked out of medical school for this in M1 year and I doubt any school would kick you out as a M-1.
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Oh I wasn't being serious. I was just commenting about the unfortunate choice of name for the violation.
 
DokterMom said:
Some questions --
  1. Are you of legal drinking age?
  2. Open Intox -- Is that a simple "Open Container" in an unauthorized place charge? Or does the "Intox" wording mean you were intoxicated?
  3. How long will it take for the charge to be dismissed, assuming it is?
In my view, the biggest risk is from not reporting something reportable, so a lengthy dismissal process leaves you vulnerable. The charge itself is not so serious, assuming it's of the 'open container' variety versus of a 'public intoxication' flavor, and that you are of legal drinking age.

If it's going to take more than a very few months to get the charge dismissed, then be proactive about informing the schools that accepted you. Tell them you believe the charge will be dismissed, but in the interests of transparency...
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1. Yes I am of Age
2. Yes as far as I am aware it is the same as a simple open container
3. My lawyer says it will be wrapped up shortly from what it sounds like within the next month. He told me for sure before January which is when I know schools start doing background checks.

I have considered telling my schools just to be transparent and let them know what the situation is just incase something is discovered on the background check, however if the case is wrapped up quickly and I don't have to disclose anything at all I feel that would be the best case scenario
 
LizzyM said:
The point is that it is neither a misdemeanor nor a felony. Your explanation would be sufficient (stepped out of tailgate area with a beer in my hand to take a phone call, ticketed by police for open container). No one would be kicked out of medical school for this in M1 year and I doubt any school would kick you out as a M-1.
Click to expand...

Great, now we're going to be seeing college freshmen referring to themselves as MS-4.
 
One other clarifying point -- Is it a University charge? (so a potential IA) or a Criminal charge?
 
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WinterIsComing94 said:
As it stands right now it is a criminal misdemeanor charge
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Whew! Much easier to make that go away than dealing with the University. Hang on, you are not obligated to report it until you are convicted or plead. If it all goes away before the new year you should be free and clear.
 
I would imagine that even if you sent an email to the school explaining what happened, you would be 100% fine (they would probably appreciate honesty and then move on). I would be shocked if this rescinded an acceptance. That being said, I wouldn't take any actions until case is resolved.
 
WinterIsComing94 said:
Before last weekend my app process had been going really well, I had already been accepted to two schools and had interviews at others. However, last weekend I was at my alma mater tailgating for a football game and I received an Open Intox because I had stepped outside the tailgate to answer a phone call with a beer in my hand foolishly and cops happened to be walking by and gave me an open intox ticket.

My attorney is confident that he will be able to get the misdemeanor dismissed and that I will not have to plea to anything or have any convictions on my record. My question is, is this something that I should report to my schools once the case gets resolved? AMCAS requires you to inform schools you have applied to of any convictions or pleas, but if this is resolved how my lawyer says it will be I technically shouldn't have any of these. I will just have a charge that was dismissed by the prosecutor.

I'm really worried right now! I know this was a foolish thing to have done I'm just wondering if this is the type of thing that schools that I have been accepted to may revoke my acceptance for.
Click to expand...

Wait until what happens in court first. If it's a first offense this might not mean anything.
 
Update:
After two very stressful weeks my case was dismissed today by the prosecutor and reduced to a small civil infraction fine not a criminal charge like the misdemeanor was. Should I still inform the schools I was accepted to about what happened just to be transparent, or just let it go and put this nightmare behind me since I don't have to report it anymore because it isn't a criminal charge
 
I would read through your schools guidelines on this, my guess is you won't have to report anything.
 
Sometimes it's bad to be "too honest". If it's only a civil infraction that's no worse than a parking ticket.
 
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