Expunged Misdemeanor Question

[MW1985]

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Hey all,

Recently accepted student here. I am in a bit of a pickle. I have a misdemeanor drug possession from about 5-6 years back, and I had the conviction expunged and sealed. I was not required to disclose this on the AMCAS application because the question asks, "Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor (excluding expunged/sealed convictions)?" so I answered no. In addition, the secondary application of the school I was accepted to did not ask me any questions about my criminal background, and the Certiphi CBC comes back clean. Technically I was never asked to disclose this information, but I know I will have to down the road for residency/licensing applications. Has anyone ever been through this or know someone who has? I know I answered everything honestly and fully, but I can't help feeling like I am "slipping through the cracks." I disclosed the offense to any school who asked me about a criminal record on their secondary, but the school I was accepted to did not. I want to be upfront and honest about everything, which I technically have up to this point, but I also don't want to just volunteer this information without being asked and risk having my acceptance rescinded. Am I freaking out over nothing? I feel like if the school wanted to know about expunged/dismissed convictions, they would have asked about it on the secondary.

@gyngyn @LizzyM @Goro @Catalystik

 

[xhlmzr]

I would say speak with a lawyer about this, that's what I would do.

 

[MI3PEO]

I'd like to know the outcome of your situation, please.

 

[jeffk805dent]

two things:

1.) talk with lawyer, some are not that expensive for a thorough consultation. tons of quality lawyers out there to choose

2.) Its been 5-6 years since it happened, by the time you start residency, it would have been a decade since that "event" occurred, hospitals should only be concerned with recent behavior not something a long time ago when a person could have indeed changed for the better.

also congrats on your acceptance

 

[MW1985]

Thanks for the responses all. I have since spoken with a lawyer, and I was advised that I could honestly say no to the AMCAS misdemeanor question because it explicitly allows me to, therefore I have done nothing wrong and should be excited about attending medical school! I also learned that typically when schools ask specific questions about one's criminal background in their secondary application, it is advisable to disclose all offenses because these schools are often affiliated with government/public hospitals for interning and clinical rotations. Therefore, they want to know about your criminal history so they can mitigate any risk to both the patient population and to the applicant, because if you can't get approved for a badge at that hospital (they often run very in-depth background checks that uncover ANY offense), you will not be able to complete the clinical rotations in year 3 and 4. The takeaway message: DO NOT LIE. If asked about criminal history in a secondary, disclose it, regardless of if it is expunged/dismissed or whatever the disposition. If you aren't asked anything, then you aren't compelled to volunteer information. However, one can truthfully say no to the AMCAS misdemeanor question because it explicitly says you do not have to report expunged/sealed/dismissed offenses.

 

[MI3PEO]

Was the conviction brought up in your interview?

 

[MW1985]

Nope! Half of the schools I interviewed at were aware of it though because they asked about my criminal history in the secondary.

 

[pathologyDO]

If they didn't ask you have no reason to tell them. It's not anything that will keep you from getting licensed so they probably could care less if you have an expunged misdemeanor. Just my 2 cents. It seems like this is weighing on your conscience though so for the sake of getting it off your chest you could let somebody know, but if you're accepted already, they're not going to care.

 

[MI3PEO]

Thank you guys! I have some hope, now!

 

[JoHar]

Hey I would love to know what schools specifically didn't ask on you about this on your secondary apps.

Also, would love to hear an update if you have started rotating and/or if for whatever reason this has come back up with your school. I really think this issue isn't talked about enough and I appreciate you sharing!