Advice Needed: Charged with Open Container Violation and Accepted to Med School

[NH14]

So....I need some advice....preferably from ADCOM members.

I was charged with an open container violation (which is NOT a crime; i.e. non-criminal offense and does not show up on a criminal background check - I already checked it). This happened post-AMCAS application and during the interview season. I have not had my court date yet, and therefore have NOT been convicted of anything.

I've also been accepted to 2 medical schools.

Now, realizing that this is a non-criminal offense which will most likely not show up on a background check, should I report it to the medical schools I've been accepted to? At this time, I have only been charged, and have not plead guilty.

According to AMCAS guidelines, I would not report it on my AMCAS app - again, b/c it is not a misdemeanor nor a felony. But I'm still concerned that if it does come up schools would think that I was trying to hide something. Yet, I also value my privacy and a clean record - which is what I have. I also obviously don't want to jeopardize my acceptances.

Anyone with advice? or any ADCOM members around to offer their 2 cents?

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[LizzyM]

If this is not something that would have had to have been reported back when you submitted the AMCAS, and if it is not something that was specifically asked about on the supplementals you submitted to the schools that have accepted you, then why would you report it. You might as well report, "My granny admonished me for putting my elbows on the table at Thanksgiving dinner."

 

[leeyuhang]

Pretty sure these things don't even stay on your record with community service and AA meetings right?

 

[NH14]

Pretty sure these things don't even stay on your record with community service and AA meetings right?

Actually, in my case, its a $25 fine. It's more of a hassle than anything else.

 

[NH14]

If this is not something that would have had to have been reported back when you submitted the AMCAS, and if it is not something that was specifically asked about on the supplementals you submitted to the schools that have accepted you, then why would you report it. You might as well report, "My granny admonished me for putting my elbows on the table at Thanksgiving dinner."

Thank you - this is what I was thinking.

 

[STAT EKG]

So....I need some advice....preferably from ADCOM members.

I was charged with an open container violation (which is NOT a crime; i.e. non-criminal offense and does not show up on a criminal background check - I already checked it). This happened post-AMCAS application and during the interview season. I have not had my court date yet, and therefore have NOT been convicted of anything.

I've also been accepted to 2 medical schools.

Now, realizing that this is a non-criminal offense which will most likely not show up on a background check, should I report it to the medical schools I've been accepted to? At this time, I have only been charged, and have not plead guilty.

According to AMCAS guidelines, I would not report it on my AMCAS app - again, b/c it is not a misdemeanor nor a felony. But I'm still concerned that if it does come up schools would think that I was trying to hide something. Yet, I also value my privacy and a clean record - which is what I have. I also obviously don't want to jeopardize my acceptances.

Anyone with advice? or any ADCOM members around to offer their 2 cents?

...Wow.... a 25$ fine for Open Container.... the kind where police pull you over and find an empty or partially full alcohol container in your automobile? That's definitely an arrestable *misdemeanor* in Virginia... and they don't just drop driving-related alcohol charges around here. I've never personally known anybody to not get arrested for that (and usually get a DUI/DWI)...

Lucky

 

[Everett True]

...Wow.... a 25$ fine for Open Container.... the kind where police pull you over and find an empty or partially full alcohol container in your automobile? That's definitely an arrestable *misdemeanor* in Virginia... and they don't just drop driving-related alcohol charges around here. I've never personally known anybody to not get arrested for that (and usually get a DUI/DWI)...

Lucky

I don't think he mentioned that he was driving... I'm pretty sure you can get an open-container violation for standing in your yard holding a beer. The cops around here hand them out like candy at tailgates and parties. True, an open-container violation in a vehicle will almost certainly get you in deep trouble, but I doubt that's what happened here.

 

[PantherPride]

...Wow.... a 25$ fine for Open Container.... the kind where police pull you over and find an empty or partially full alcohol container in your automobile? That's definitely an arrestable *misdemeanor* in Virginia... and they don't just drop driving-related alcohol charges around here. I've never personally known anybody to not get arrested for that (and usually get a DUI/DWI)...

Lucky

Well from what I've heard, Virginia is on a different planet when it comes to driving laws compared to the rest of the country

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I know someone that's been arrested and booked for standing outside of a sports bar with a drink in their hand. The charges were dropped of course, a few weeks later, considering that this is an insane thing to prosecute (especially if there were no resisting or bad behavior types of incidences). Lesson: cops in Florida are bozos. In FL it's not just a fine either, but technically the lowest form of misdemeanor. Think about spending two weeks in jail (or one night for that matter) for holding the last swigs of a beer outside of a bar! SMH.

It was always my understanding that you didn't ever have to report charges if there were no convictions though, trying to remember the section on AMCAS. You should get a lawyer to get it thrown out. Surely you would not have to say anything then.

 

[Suncrusher]

You can get a violation for sleeping off alcohol while in the driver's seat of your car that is parked in the bar parking lot. I learned that on Dexter.

 

[gettheleadout]

You can get a violation for sleeping off alcohol while in the driver's seat of your car that is parked in the bar parking lot. I learned that on Dexter.

lolwut

 

[theseeker4]

lolwut

Actually, I have heard of this before as well. I don't know what locations it is true in, but simply being behind the wheel of a car, even if it isn't moving or even running, in some jurisdictions, can be prosecuted for drunk driving.

 

[Sephiroth]

Actually, I have heard of this before as well. I don't know what locations it is true in, but simply being behind the wheel of a car, even if it isn't moving or even running, in some jurisdictions, can be prosecuted for drunk driving.

Yep, always sleep it off in the passenger seat. More leg room anyway.

 

[Myuu]

...Wow.... a 25$ fine for Open Container.... the kind where police pull you over and find an empty or partially full alcohol container in your automobile? That's definitely an arrestable *misdemeanor* in Virginia... and they don't just drop driving-related alcohol charges around here. I've never personally known anybody to not get arrested for that (and usually get a DUI/DWI)...

Lucky

Totally back you up on that one.

I got to Ohio and got a speeding ticket in a school zone. So I'm thinking craaaaaaaap, this is going to be a 2x fine.

They only charge $40-$50 extra for that! Ohio is CHEAP!

 

[Omppu27]

Totally back you up on that one.

I got to Ohio and got a speeding ticket in a school zone. So I'm thinking craaaaaaaap, this is going to be a 2x fine.

They only charge $40-$50 extra for that! Ohio is CHEAP!

Still a $200 ticket though... Ouch 🙁

 

[ShaolinMaster]

lolwut

He's correct. It's still public intoxication. Learned that from World's dumbest Criminal's.

 

[NH14]

I don't think he mentioned that he was driving... I'm pretty sure you can get an open-container violation for standing in your yard holding a beer. The cops around here hand them out like candy at tailgates and parties. True, an open-container violation in a vehicle will almost certainly get you in deep trouble, but I doubt that's what happened here.

Yea it happened on a sidewalk in NYC. NYC law seems a little backwards. For example, this was NOT a crime. However, being in the park after dark and riding your bike on the sidewalk are both CRIMES! Which is sort of ridiculous....

 

[MD for me]

So....I need some advice....preferably from ADCOM members.

I was charged with an open container violation (which is NOT a crime; i.e. non-criminal offense and does not show up on a criminal background check - I already checked it). This happened post-AMCAS application and during the interview season. I have not had my court date yet, and therefore have NOT been convicted of anything.

I've also been accepted to 2 medical schools.

Now, realizing that this is a non-criminal offense which will most likely not show up on a background check, should I report it to the medical schools I've been accepted to? At this time, I have only been charged, and have not plead guilty.

According to AMCAS guidelines, I would not report it on my AMCAS app - again, b/c it is not a misdemeanor nor a felony. But I'm still concerned that if it does come up schools would think that I was trying to hide something. Yet, I also value my privacy and a clean record - which is what I have. I also obviously don't want to jeopardize my acceptances.

Anyone with advice? or any ADCOM members around to offer their 2 cents?

I think that just to play it safe, report it to the medical schools. Just incase they ever find out it won't be a suprise.

 

[Shnurek]

Yea it happened on a sidewalk in NYC. NYC law seems a little backwards.

Yeah, NYC has a lot of dumb and irritating laws because of the dumb and irritating people that live here.