How will a recent misdemeanor charge affect my residency/job prospects?

[hs764]

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Earlier this week I was convicted of a misdemeanor hit and run charge from an incident that occurred this past summer (between my M1 and M2 years). It wasn't malicious - a biker and I made contact while I was making a turn with him very close behind me and I didn't hear or feel anything so I kept going - and my penalty was very light. I also don't have to pay any restitution, which means they did not find the accident itself to be my fault. However, I'm not sure how bad this is going to look on my background checks for residency and future jobs. My lawyer thinks we'd have a fairly good chance of getting it overturned if we decide to appeal, but that's a lot of extra time and money and I want to make sure it's really necessary before I go that route, especially since it would probably extend into the time that I'll be studying for Step 1. My state is also absurdly strict regarding expungement, so it doesn't seem likely that I could get it wiped before I start applying. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about how bad this kind of thing can hurt someone's chances?

 

[Dave1980]

You hit a guy on a bike and drove off?

 

[hs764]

You hit a guy on a bike and drove off?

Did you actually read what I wrote?

 

[MedScat]

pay the money/time to get it off your record. You aren't going to always have the option of explaining yourself. If getting it off your record is an option do it. Why would you CHOOSE to keep a misdemeanor? Invest in getting it off your record now, your future self will thank you.

 

[Dave1980]

Did you actually read what I wrote?

Yep.

You hit someone with your car and drove off. They reported you and you got a misdemeanor. Obviously your story is that you didn't know and it was no one's fault.

Not everyone is going to believe your story. Get it off your record.

 

[hs764]

Yep.

You hit someone with your car and drove off. They reported you and you got a misdemeanor. Obviously your story is that you didn't know and it was no one's fault.

Not everyone is going to believe your story. Get it off your record.

Your reading comprehension needs some work. If you're going to be judgmental instead of helpful, I'll ask you to take it somewhere besides this thread.

 

[hs764]

pay the money/time to get it off your record. You aren't going to always have the option of explaining yourself. If getting it off your record is an option do it. Why would you CHOOSE to keep a misdemeanor? Invest in getting it off your record now, your future self will thank you.

Would this not be something I would get asked to explain as part of a residency application?

 

[managedcarefin]

Your reading comprehension needs some work. If you're going to be judgmental instead of helpful, I'll ask you to take it somewhere besides this thread.

To be honest, the guy is giving you the advice you need to hear not want to hear. Assume that this is a random person reading your residency app they may very well understand it the same way as the poster you quoted. It would be in your best interest to get it off your record.

 

[ciestar]

You said the biker was behind you and hit you? Im confused

 

[Dave1980]

You said the biker was behind you and hit you? Im confused

Making one of those right turns from the left lane?

 

[MedScat]

Would this not be something I would get asked to explain as part of a residency application?

I mean why take that risk? You can't explain yourself if they see the misdemeanor and choose not even to offer you the interview. Even if they gave you the opportunity to explain yourself...look at how people are judging your story just in this forum. I don't know what actually happened, I wasn't there but I can tell you that if I was a residency director, I would choose the person without the misdemeanor over the person with one. This seems like common sense to me and I think you shouldn't even be considering whether investing time and money to get a misdemeanor off your record is a worthy investment.

 

[Medic741]

Did you actually read what I wrote?

There’s *no way* you didn’t notice, and if you’re driving a car, hit a biker and somehow didn’t notice then you really shouldn’t be driving.

 

[hs764]

You said the biker was behind you and hit you? Im confused

Yes, he was right on my tail and when I turned he hit the rear of my car. But fault is irrelevant for a hit and run charge, unfortunately.

 

[hs764]

There’s *no way* you didn’t notice, and if you’re driving a car, hit a biker and somehow didn’t notice then you really shouldn’t be driving.

Again, if you're just going to be rude and unhelpful then take it elsewhere. You weren't there so I'm not interested in whether or not you believe me.

 

[hs764]

Making one of those right turns from the left lane?

No, it's a single lane road.

 

[7331poas]

Your reading comprehension needs some work. If you're going to be judgmental instead of helpful, I'll ask you to take it somewhere besides this thread.

Seems like his summary was pretty representative. You need to get this off your record.

 

[ace_inhibitor111]

Did you actually read what I wrote?

That is what you have to deal with if you don’t get it overturned unfortunately

 

[ace_inhibitor111]

Seems like his summary was pretty representative. You need to get this off your record.

This is what I imagined from reading his story. But when you apply you’re going to have a lot of people who assume things or hear what they want to hear, if this thread isn’t proof enough.

 

[7331poas]

This is what I imagined from reading his story. But when you apply you’re going to have a lot of people who assume things or hear what they want to hear, if this thread isn’t proof enough.

Yep, and that is what was described. He needs this off his record 100%

 

[libertyyne]

did you hit a motorcyclist or a cyclist? Also pay what ever to get it off your record.

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

Again, if you're just going to be rude and unhelpful then take it elsewhere. You weren't there so I'm not interested in whether or not you believe me.

You're missing the point. Imagine that he is the person reading your app.

 

[libertyyne]

Idk if he got Rear ended by the biker he would have no motive to run off since it would be bikers fault. Not sure how you may not have noticed but honestly could prob get it off.

or he could have side swiped a biker.

 

[samac]

Read the thread. Don’t get offended. And see why you need this off your record. Good luck.

 

[Dantrolene FC]

Would this not be something I would get asked to explain as part of a residency application?

You're assuming the residency program will actually read your application and personal statement in its entirety. Programs can receive 800 or more applications each year. They could easily just pass you over based on a filter and not even read your application.

 

[ScreamingInternally]

Unless your app is otherwise great across the board, a program would likely pass over someone with a misdemeanor for someone who doesn't. I'm sure plenty of programs just filter you out if you have any sort of a record, no need to deal with that when they have hundreds of other qualified applicants without a record of any sort.

 

[jdh71]

Remove from record. If possible. Period.

Even then a lot of states ask you to declare anything even things removed from the record. Which is always kind of crazy making for people because they cannot get the “records” on something that courts consider to have “not happened”

Bottom line if you don’t get it removed you will have to explain it again and again and again and again every time you go to get license or attempt to get hospital credentials forever. Amen.

Now it sounds like it can be explained and probably won’t be a huge barrier or obstacle to getting licensing and credentialing but if you don’t need to have it there and it can be removed, FFS remove it.

This is a serious no brainer.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Sounds like a hit-and-run from the way you wrote it. Either that or you really need to work on your writing skills to get the correct point across.

I would also recommend getting that removed from you record.