Conditional Acceptance Background Check

[DS2013]

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Hello SDNers,

I have a question and I hope someone has the answer to it or dealt with the situation before. My background check just got completed and come to find out, I have a misdemeanor from driving without a license back in 2007. I was in total shock. According to the record, I was found guilty and was required to pay $150 at the time. The thing is, when I was applying to DS, I have never mentioned it on my app because I really forgot all about it (over 5yrs ago). Do you know anyone in my situation? will they revoke my acceptance after they find out?😕 Thank you for the reply

 

[emorypredent]

Obviously best bet is to ask the school directly. They are going to know, might as well give them your account of what happened.

My personal guess:
If you had a license but it was expired for like a day and you were on your way to the DMV to get a new one. Not that big a deal. In my non-expert opinion that's a minor traffic violation.

If you never had a license and decided to drive a car that might be more of an issue.

 

[DS2013]

Obviously best bet is to ask the school directly. They are going to know, might as well give them your account of what happened.

My personal guess:
If you had a license but it was expired for like a day and you were on your way to the DMV to get a new one. Not that big a deal. In my non-expert opinion that's a minor traffic violation.

If you never had a license and decided to drive a car that might be more of an issue.

I dont want them to think i was hiding something this whole time and put a red flag on my app now. I have 10days to submit the report to the school if i m satisfied with the result. The other option is that I was told that I can always get it expunged since it been so long but i dont know how long it will take or if its even that easy to do.

 

[Hawkteeth]

It a traffic violation I believe and it states on AADSAS not to include these in the felony/misdemeanor explanation. I had speeding and careless driving tickets show up on my background check, as they are misdemeanors, but did not report these (I had other stuff I needed to report). Only criminal traffic violations need to be reported, like OWIs and maybe reckless driving. You can call the school if it makes you feel better but your fine.

 

[lizz1290]

mmm

 

[emorypredent]

Same thing just happened to me and i tried to let the school know before the committee met to decide on new round of acceptances, turns out although i informed them since i didnt include it in my app or supplemental i was not accepted to the school. I got a high score on interview, was told by dean i was a great candidate but still didnt matter. i didnt try to hide it at all i just compltely forgot about it/thought it was taken off my record cause i had great standing at my school after that (i was caught with a cup of alcohol as a freshman, schools a wet campus).... so good luck and i hope ur acceptance isnt rescinded

Getting caught with alcohol is VERY different than a traffic violation. So it is not the "same thing" AADSAS explicitly exempts minor traffic violations. Do not scare the OP unnecessarily. And forgetting is very different than thinking its off your record.

 

[jeffity]

When in doubt (about anything), talk to the school ASAP. You making the fist move will only help if it's even a concern for them.

It's not completely related, but I've seen a couple of reports/presentations about falsifying information (even though this really isn't that), and those who reported it properly had more favorable outcomes. I don't know the exact wording on AADSAS at the moment about traffic things. Maybe this wasn't reportable. But if it's on your background check, they're going to find out eventually. I wouldn't just cross your fingers on this one and wouldn't suggest withholding the report while you try to make it disappear. Of course I don't know what will happen, but I think you'll be okay.

 

[lizz1290]

Getting caught with alcohol is VERY different than a traffic violation. So it is not the "same thing" AADSAS explicitly exempts minor traffic violations. Do not scare the OP unnecessarily. And forgetting is very different than thinking its off your record.

I didn't intend to scare him at all, I was just giving an example of not informing them when they are asked to inform them... Id say its better to inform them because a traffic violation is so minor and I've learned the hardway that you need to be thorough from the start and I made the mistake of not checking with my school first before completing my app. that being said if aadsas does say it exempts minor traffic violations then don't put it in.

 

[DS2013]

Thank you all for the comments. I never called the school itself but called a few other schools that require the same background check and they specifically said that unless you have a felony charge or sexual assault, then you are fine. I guess they only focused on those two things.

 

[tommyinVA]

I always thought AADSAS was only concerned with FELONIES re: criminal backgrounds....

 

[DS2013]

I always thought AADSAS was only concerned with FELONIES re: criminal backgrounds....

I believe you right. I guess that's why the lady I talked to asked me if I had any felony charges or sexual assaults on my background. Those are the type of things you need to report when applying.

 

[Cello]

I'm pretty sure that moving violations (what most people get) are typically infractions. Reckless driving, driving without a license, DUI, etc. are more serious and therefore receive the harsher misdemeanor charge. It is state dependent, and I'm mostly basing this off of my state's laws. My assumption is that AADSAS doesn't care about traffic infractions, but that doesn't mean they don't want to know about traffic misdemeanors.

In response to the posters saying that only felonies need be reported: There are numerous misdemeanors which would cause any organization (AADSAS included) to be concerned. Some forms of domestic violence are actually a class B misdemeanor which will keep you out of A LOT of occupations and even prevent you from lawfully possessing guns. There are misdemeanor assault, sex offenses, and drug possession charges which you should most certainly include in an application as well. As far as a traffic violation goes, it probably wouldn't be an issue if you include it with your application (so long as it's not DUI/DWI), but in this case your best bet would likely be to contact the schools and see what options you have.

As far as the expungement option goes, just know that it is a slow and bureaucratic process in most states. You usually have to fill out some forms at the court which handled your case, then take them to the state's criminal identification program equivalent. From there, they will usually take several weeks to work their snail-paced magic and gain an approval. The process in my state takes 6-8 weeks I believe. It would be good for you to look up the local expungement process in your area. Also, if you had a lawyer when you received your initial citation for the misdemeanor charge, it would be a good idea to contact them about your options and their advice. Also, know that government agencies and some licensing boards can view even expunged records.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/expungement-of-criminal-records-basics-32641.html