Help! Do I actually have a criminal record to report?

[DentalR0cks]

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I need to know if I have to check the box on dental school applications that asks if I have ever been convicted of a crime.

In highschool, age 16, I was arrested for fighting in school. In my defense, I was defending myself when two other people attacked me.

When I went to court and had a public defense. I can't remember if she told me to plead guilty or not but I ended up doing community service and the charge was "deferred". What does this mean?

This happened when I was 16. Do I still have to mention it on dental school applications? If so, how much will this hurt my application?

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

If you don't know if its actually on your record or not, just put it down and explain what happened.

I doubt it would make a huge difference on your application if it happened when your were only 16 and was self defense.

 

[DentalR0cks]

So I have to click the YES I've been of a crime. 🙁

Any idea how to get an accurate report of your criminal record? The same report dental schools will see?

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Any idea how to get an accurate report of your criminal record? The same report dental schools will see?

There's an option in the AADSAS website (once it's open on June 4th) to order a copy from Certiphi. You won't miss it.

 

[TheDentist16]

It won't qualify as a real "crime", but usually when it asks for criminal history it includes anything that you have been arrested for. I would click yes, since you did get arrested, but definitely explain the circumstances. Since you were only 16 and you were in high school, it shouldn't have much weight when adcoms are reviewing your application. Also as albinopolarbear stated, the Certiphi copy will clear up any misunderstandings for your situation.

 

[DentalR0cks]

Thanks! I will most definitely get the Certiphi copy!

I guess my question should be is "deferred" the same as "convicted"?

 

[jigabodo]

So I have to click the YES I've been of a crime. 🙁

Any idea how to get an accurate report of your criminal record? The same report dental schools will see?

Not sure about other schools, but ULSD uses CertifiedProfile as their method of background check. You can request to have your results mail back to you to see if you have indeed, been convicted of a crime.

FBI also provides a background check service - which is about as accurate and official as it gets. I had to do this as well since Kentucky board of dentistry will only accept background check results from FBI now. Search FBI CJIS division for more details. You can have the results of this mailed back to yourself as well. If your results come back clear from the FBI background check I probably wouldn't even mention that in my AADSAS application, but that's just me.

Hope it helps.

 

[goffdent]

If I were you, I would just quit and apply for a job at Villalobos Rescue Center. It's a Pitbull rescue that hires parolees. it's featured on the show Pit Bulls and Parolees. I hope you like dogs. jk btw.

 

[crax]

hey, i was trying to find out something similar, and i went around into some lawyer offices asking for advice.
they had me call the county clerk of the area (court county clerk>?) where it occurred. I callled and they took my name and info and told me what i had on my file, filed by that county. i asked them alot of questions too, as if it was a conviction, a plea, a charge, what type of charge, and if it was sealed expunged. very helpful. They informed me i could answer "no" to the adea question, so as far as i was concerned i dont need to know anything beyond that.

Many lawyers give free advice, and the lawyer office receptionists know alot too..

 

[DentalR0cks]

If I were you, I would just quit and apply for a job at Villalobos Rescue Center. It's a Pitbull rescue that hires parolees. it's featured on the show Pit Bulls and Parolees. I hope you like dogs. jk btw.

haha What an ASS! jk btw.

 

[tinman831]

If this happened when you were a juvenile you may qualify to have the case expunged from your record. Contact a lawyer and see what he can do for you. As it currently stands, unless you had the case removed from your record, it's still there.

 

[DentalR0cks]

If this happened when you were a juvenile you may qualify to have the case expunged from your record. Contact a lawyer and see what he can do for you. As it currently stands, unless you had the case removed from your record, it's still there.

So, after I get it explunged I won't be required to check the yes box for if I have ever been convicted of a crime?