Careless Driving and Residency?

[Pisiform]

So I got charged with Careless Driving and No Passing Zone violation in Pennsylvania. Is it a minor violation? criminal offense? I wasn't drunk or anything. I am a 3rd yr med student ..so I was wondering will this impact my residency application? Should I hire a lawyer?

I am so ****ing paranoid ... i freak out when I have to deal with cops

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[Zebra Hunter]

That's a class D felony, homie. Unless you can get this expunged, it's unlikely that you will ever be able to become a doctor. Make sure to call up your deans immediately and let them know that you got a careless driving violation. I'd also recommend considering an alternative career path at this point.

 

[seminoma]

So I got charged with Careless Driving and No Passing Zone violation in Pennsylvania. Is it a minor violation? criminal offense? I wasn't drunk or anything. I am a 3rd yr med student ..so I was wondering will this impact my residency application? Should I hire a lawyer?

I am so ****ing paranoid ... i freak out when I have to deal with cops

My guess would be no arrest = not a big deal. Just like any other traffic ticket.

 

[Pisiform]

Only serious answers please. I have a bunch of stuff already going on with family health and money issues so I don't need this.

And yea I am not well versed in regards to laws and cops etc. just been in us few years. Just making sure if it's like a misdemeanor or what thanks

 

[Doctor Bob]

Anytime you apply for a state license, or on your residency application, you will have to report any felonies that you have been convicted of in the past.
It will be a red flag... but a moving violation like that isn't the end of the world. It'll just mean you have to give an explanation for what happened and what you did as a result on every application from here forward.

Confirm with a lawyer that this is a felony vs a misdemeanor. The latter almost never has to be disclosed.

 

[Pisiform]

So does it come under felony? Do I have to report it when filling out application?

 

[chrissyxf]

Careless driving isn't a felony- it's not even a misdemeanor in most states. Reckless driving, however, is. I would clarify how it falls in PA. I have a careless driving ticket in another state and while it isn't a misdemeanor, it still shows up on some background checks- I just got a letter from a lawyer friend that says it's not a misdemeanor in my state but is a reportable offense.

Looks like careless driving means nothing in PA and isn't something you need to report- but you may want to ask just in case: http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/traffic_law/careless-driving.htm

 

[W19]

Wow! I thought 'careless driving' citations were just minor traffic violation in most states...

 

[Zebra Hunter]

Wow! I thought 'careless driving' citations were just minor traffic violation in most states...

I hope people realize my post was in jest. The large majority of traffic violations are minor offenses that don't require reporting. It's kinda silly to even get stressed about it.

 

[NickNaylor]

So does it come under felony? Do I have to report it when filling out application?

Look up your state laws and/or consult with an attorney. Felonies will need to be disclosed while misdemeanors likely will not. On its licensure application, my state specifically excludes traffic violations unless they were related to alcohol/drug use. If you're curious, here's the complete wording of the question:

This is important: The board will run queries with the Texas Department of Public Safety (and the FBI) to verify your criminal history. Both entities maintain records, often beyond the time that courts keep them. Please be aware that if you have ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, the record of those events will be reported as a result of the fingerprint inquiry.

Serious traffic offenses such as reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, hit and run, evading a a peace officer, failure to appear, driving while the license is suspended or revoked MUST be reported. This list is not all-inclusive. If in doubt as to whether an offense should be disclosed, it is better to disclose the offense on the application.

Matters in which you were diverted, deferred, pardoned, or pled nolo contendere MUST be disclosed.

If you believe your offense was sealed or expunged, you must be able to provide a copy of the expunction or non-disclosure order if requested. If you are in doubt as to how to respond to the questions, full and honest disclosure is highly recommended.

If you answer “Yes” to any question in this section, you are required to submit records and a statement.

Of course, every state will have its own rules with respect to the specifics of reporting or non-reporting various aspects of your criminal history. Some are more strict than others, from what I've heard. If you're extremely concerned, I'd recommend ponying up the money and consulting with an attorney if you're unable to get the information yourself. Applying for your license when you get to that point is not one of those things that you want to screw around with.

 

[Psai]

I hope people realize my post was in jest. The large majority of traffic violations are minor offenses that don't require reporting. It's kinda silly to even get stressed about it.

You got me. I never heard of that violation before so I was like damn op

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

According to Attorney Joseph Lento, careless driving isn't even a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania. See this link:
http://www.josephlento.com/areas-of-defense/traffic-offenses/careless-reckless-driving/

There are two important lessons here. The first is that the OP has every right to be paranoid. The medical establishment has everyone of you by the kiester until you get licensed and you need to be careful about driving, sex, fights, alcohol etc.

The second lesson is that you can't generalize about state statutes. Look at the prostitution laws in Nevada.

OP, you should discuss this with an attorney. According to Lento's website, this is not even a misdemeanor but you could do 90 days in the can. You need to get a lawyer to get the punishment limited to a fine. This is no time to be cheap.

 

[Pisiform]

Thanks guys. I went ahead and posted the question on Avvo. Couple of lawyers answered me, I hope I have nothing to worry about:

I got pulled over for "Careless Driving" and "No passing Zone". No body got hurt, no accidents and I was not drunk. I never had any tickets before and this is my first time. I was wondering if this charge is misdemeanor, felony or what sort of criminal offense? Would it show up on employment background checks (FBI fingerprinting, PA - PATCH)? Do I have to check yes in the employment application where they say 'Have you ever been convicted ... etc?

1)It is a summary traffic offense. Reckless driving not Careless rises to the level of a crime. It won't show up on a background check. If you hire an attorney you will probably be able to get the tickets reduced to offenses with less points. Good luck!

2) Most traffic offenses, such as these two, are not considered criminal offenses in PA. They will not show up on a criminal record check with the PA State Police. They will show up on a PA driver's record, but again, they are not crimes. Please be aware that some no passing zone type offenses carry a driver's license suspension that is not listed on your ticket, and is a separate matter handled administratively by PennDOT. Many times the unsuspecting motorist pleads guilty by mail and sends his or her money in, only to learn weeks later that PennDOT suspended his or her license. I would check to make sure this "No Passing Zone" offense does not involve school zones, school buses, construction sites, and other situations that may trigger such suspension. You should consult with a lawyer about the specific statute for which your are charged.

3)Traffic offense is not a criminal violation

So yea it looks like it is not. Uncle Sam makes me so stressful ...sometimes it feels like you gotta walk on ice until you get your license and even then so

 

[pd1112]

There are plenty of licensed physicians with DUIs, drug/alcohol rehab, malpractice, etc etc. You'll be fine with a traffic ticket bro, don't blow money on a lawyer. If it was a felony, they wouldn't have just sent you on your way without knowing any better. I somewhat understand your concerns if this is the first ticket you've ever had, but just a little common sense will save you a lot of worry.