Applying with recent misdemeanor

[nainzui]

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Hey everyone,

So I recently pleaded NOLO to a misdemeanor for something very minor. "Driver to exercise due care" which basically means I was improperly using my cell phone while driving (not texting & driving though). The judge agreed that it was very minor and reduced my fine since it is my first ever ticket (I am 21), but it's still on my record as a misdemeanor. It is also my first and only charge and my first and only conviction. I do understand the potential dangers of actions, and I have definitely learned my lesson.

Do you think having this misdemeanor will affect my chances of getting into medical schools?

 

[tankaer]

Hey everyone,

So I recently pleaded NOLO to a misdemeanor for something very minor. "Driver to exercise due care" which basically means I was improperly using my cell phone while driving (not texting & driving though). The judge agreed that it was very minor and reduced my fine since it is my first ever ticket (I am 21), but it's still on my record as a misdemeanor. It is also my first and only charge and my first and only conviction. I do understand the potential dangers of actions, and I have definitely learned my lesson.

Do you think having this misdemeanor will affect my chances of getting into medical schools?

Are you sure it's a misdemeanor and not a summary offense?

 

[nainzui]

Are you sure it's a misdemeanor and not a summary offense?

i'm sure 🙁

 

[Dr. Death]

I applied with a misdemeanor driving without insurance in march and applied in june. Nobody mentioned it and I got a boatload of interviews and acceptances.

 

[adrian710]

MIP when I was junior. It is expunged. Am I good? On AACOMAS app do I have to disclose this?

 

[Catfish-Cupcake]

I have a minor in consumption misdemeanor on my record. Only one school mentioned it and I was accepted there anyways. You guys will be fine, but always prepare a response if it comes up.

 

[Gent2]

that is unfortunate

 

[Userneedmoreinfo]

MIP when I was junior. It is expunged. Am I good? On AACOMAS app do I have to disclose this?

If you were under the age 18, you are a minor and your record is sealed. I believe

 

[lolnotacop]

Best way to go about it is to get it expunged as soon as possible. If that is not in the cards before applying, as many expungements require you to go a certain period without any more offenses, then prepare an explanation of the situation and how you learned from it. Yes, it is a mistake but it isn't a HUGE mistake, adcoms will more than likely understand that.

Either be prepared to address it or get it expunged and not even worry about it. Either way you will be fine.

 

[docycle]

I'm sorry OP I'm confused. Where is driving while using a cell phone illegal? I couldn't find any state where it's illegal at the age of 21. Is this like a local law in your city/county or something?

I don't see why anyone would give a damn. My god. Everyone does this. Literally everyone.

@adrian710 nice attempted thread hijack.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I'm sorry OP I'm confused. Where is driving while using a cell phone illegal? I couldn't find any state where it's illegal at the age of 21. Is this like a local law in your city/county or something?

I don't see why anyone would give a damn. My god. Everyone does this. Literally everyone.

@adrian710 nice attempted thread hijack.

In my state, it is illegal for any driver (I think it is an infraction and not a misdemeanor here).

 

[docycle]

In my state, it is illegal for any driver (I think it is an infraction and not a misdemeanor here).

General cell phone use seems not to be prohibited in states where texting is prohibited. That's very weird imo. How is looking at your phone to type a number/search something on google different from texting? Makes no sense. And I feel like cops would just encompass all of that under the texting laws if they saw it. Because how do they know the specific application you're using it for? Could be that, according to the laws, anything but calling is considered texting? But plenty of people use GPS for which they've got to type in addresses! Makes no sense. Anyway.

Ref: http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx

So yeah it seems to be just texting. But I don't know how they define texting.

 

[IslandStyle808]

General cell phone use seems not to be prohibited in states where texting is prohibited. That's very weird imo. How is looking at your phone to type a number/search something on google different from texting? Makes no sense. And I feel like cops would just encompass all of that under the texting laws if they saw it. Because how do they know the specific application you're using it for? Could be that, according to the laws, anything but calling is considered texting? But plenty of people use GPS for which they've got to type in addresses! Makes no sense. Anyway.

Ref: http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx

So yeah it seems to be just texting. But I don't know how they define texting.

Sorry I should be more clear. Any hand held device while driving is banned in my state, and yes it shows this on the link you have provided. You can still use hands free devices over the age of 18.

Funny story about the GPS thing. I had a classmate who got a ticket for using her cell phone and she had stated she was using it for GPS. Yep, makes no sense. The laws should be more specific about the way cell phones can be used.

 

[OverlyRomantic]

Don't sweat it. If medical school rejected everyone if they had a driving misdemeanor on the record, there would be very few doctors