Arrested but not charged, will it appear in criminal background check?

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silocybin

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So I got arrested on suspicion of DUI but was never convicted. I only got a failure to maintain lane and too fast for conditions. Will this appear on a criminal background check for med school?

I have not mentioned the arrest on any of my primary/secondary apps simply because they only asked for convictions/pending convictions. Only one asked for arrest but I didnt get accepted to that one. I do have an acceptance though and am wondering what I should do. Tell the school? Not tell? I have looked into expungement but that is a lengthy process and my not be complete in time for matriculation. I have never had any issues with hospital jobs or any other background checks. Thoughts?
 
It shouldn't but you should order a background check on yourself to make sure
 
silocybin said:
So I got arrested on suspicion of DUI but was never convicted. I only got a failure to maintain lane and too fast for conditions. Will this appear on a criminal background check for med school?

I have not mentioned the arrest on any of my primary/secondary apps simply because they only asked for convictions/pending convictions. Only one asked for arrest but I didnt get accepted to that one. I do have an acceptance though and am wondering what I should do. Tell the school? Not tell? I have looked into expungement but that is a lengthy process and my not be complete in time for matriculation. I have never had any issues with hospital jobs or any other background checks. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

If you had a court date then it will most likely show up. Convicted or not.

You need to inform the school because if they find it out from someone other than you they are going to be furious. You need to look into the expungement process and start it regardless of the lengthiness.
 
This is from Certiphi:

You need NOT disclose any instance where you:
were arrested but not charged;
were arrested and charged, but the charges were dropped;
were arrested and charged, but found not guilty by a judge or jury;
were arrested and found guilty by a judge or jury, but the conviction was overturned on appeal; or
received an executive pardon.
 
Your citation will have a list of all charges. You can also hit up your local court's website. Run your name and see what pops. Don't be stupid and disclose what isn't there.
 
It doesn't matter because they ask about convictions, so it will not be held against you at all. Remember, background checks are ran AFTER you are accepted into the school, so you don't have to even worry about it being held against you silently.
 
Schools are interested in convictions - instances where you were proven guilty. They do not care about charges that were not substantiated in a court of law.
 
CopToEM said:
Schools are interested in convictions - instances where you were proven guilty. They do not care about charges that were not substantiated in a court of law.
Click to expand...

.

if you're really worried, order a background check on yourself and see what comes up. I looked at mine after sending it to KCOM and was surprised that absolutely nothing came up (not just criminally, but anything at all).
 
The app services I talked to all recommended reporting ANYTHING that may show up, even non-convictions that it says to not report. They emphasized that full disclosure was the important part.
 
I have an arrest on my record. It goes everywhere I go, but has not prevented me from getting anywhere I wanted to go.
 
TwinsFan said:
The app services I talked to all recommended reporting ANYTHING that may show up, even non-convictions that it says to not report. They emphasized that full disclosure was the important part.
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I know they're in this business of applications but I completely disagree with their advice. If it says to report convictions - report convictions. If a non-conviction shows up they can't hold that against you... they didn't ask for it.

Further, by law, a non-guilty can't be held against you as far as I'm aware so why even deal with it if you don't have to?

"Have you ever been arrested," is a far different question than, "Have you ever been convicted?"

Year in, year out, this seems to be the most common question with no clear answer. They really need to do a better job of explaining these things to applicants.
 
CopToEM said:
I know they're in this business of applications but I completely disagree with their advice. If it says to report convictions - report convictions. If a non-conviction shows up they can't hold that against you... they didn't ask for it.

Further, by law, a non-guilty can't be held against you as far as I'm aware so why even deal with it if you don't have to?

"Have you ever been arrested," is a far different question than, "Have you ever been convicted?"

Year in, year out, this seems to be the most common question with no clear answer. They really need to do a better job of explaining these things to applicants.
Click to expand...
I actually think it's very clear for AMCAS. They tell you exactly what things not to list. AACOMAS, on the other hand, is more vague. I agree with you when you say not to volunteer information that isn't asked.
 
Don't list anything you are not obligated to list. A source of mine told me if you list it, the background checkers are required (by corporate) to find something, even if the charges were frivolous. If you have a conviction, list it.
 
Employers and schools cannot legally ask you if you have been arrested. They can, though, ask if you have been convicted of a crime. So, you can be arrested an infinite number of times and no one ever has to know.
 
Even if it shows up you are fine. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
MedicineMan99 said:
Employers and schools cannot legally ask you if you have been arrested. They can, though, ask if you have been convicted of a crime. So, you can be arrested an infinite number of times and no one ever has to know.
Click to expand...

This is false. Many schools ask on their secondary if you have been arrested.
 
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MedicineMan99 said:
Employers and schools cannot legally ask you if you have been arrested. They can, though, ask if you have been convicted of a crime. So, you can be arrested an infinite number of times and no one ever has to know.
Click to expand...

Some state medical boards want to know, e.g. Texas:

Eg3WJwH.jpg
 
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