If I have a misdemeanor record can I write no on my apps if all was erased?

[jpb5814]

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During my freshman year, I, with a few others got in trouble because they took down smoke detectors, because of plain stupidity, and I was charged the same as them because I knew what they were doing and I didn't report it to an RA or RHD.

I was charged with 2 misdemeaors (petty larceny and reckless endangerment) but my lawyer made with the judge that if I do my community service an never get in trouble again for a year, that my file is erased and sent back to me (i.e. fingerprints, and mugshots)

And so now, two years later, I'm still trouble-free but never got the chance to get my file yet.

Question: I just read that some apps ask...CAN I ANSWER NO? And because of this my freshman year gpa was horrible juxtaposed to a 4.0 my soph and junior year....SO if i were to an interview and asked what happened during my first...i will tell them what happened.

 

[cmb81]

I think honesty is the way to go. You dont wanna be caught in a lie during an interview and its a good explanation for poor grades. Everybody does stupid stuff when they're young.

 

[jpb5814]

if i do answer yes, EVEN IF it was erased...lowers my chances from furthering my chances for like interviews right?

 

[StrngoutAS]

i think it's acceptable to say no b/c it did get erased...

at the same time, i got into trouble w/ the law my freshman year and when iwas asked about this during interviews, i was very upfront and honest about it. they, for the most part, won't give it any more thought than need be in my opinion b/c you learned from it and it's over now.

besides, it's not like you're gonna go on a vandalism spree in med school. your offense was very trivial.

 

[Ypo.]

I thought they only wanted to know about felonies. They ask about misdemeanors?
If I were in your situation, I wouldn't mention it unless they specifically ask-but I really don't think its a big deal either way.

Kind of funny, actually.

 

[the other Dr.]

I wouldn't answer NO until I have my file in my hand with a match underneath it, and even then, there will still be a record on most systems that you had a record which has since been expunged. It sucks, but it's nearly impossible to clean up anything you have done since turning 18. Be honest and it will probably not affect you, especially if you have learned from it and it's your only offense.

Before making any decisions, though, I would talk to your lawyer again and get your hands on that record. If you have prints and mugs, I assume you were arrested for the offense...?

 

[45408]

If it was expunged, it's as if you never did it. Check your record, and if it's clean, then don't acknowledge it. THIS IS WHY THEY EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD!

 

[LoveDoc]

one of the school in particular says let us know even if
it was expunged. if it was expunged i wouldn't say a
gosh darn thing and just not return the secondary to that
school maybe.

you are not alone. good luck. 🙂

 

[JennaK]

I have done alot of research on this and checked with many adcoms as well as license boards. Tell them. I have felony charges that were dropped BUT whether you see them or not when they do a FBI search they can see the records and if you view state records of license revoking there are many that have been taking for simply not reporting somehting as silly as a bounced check that went to court or one guy not reporting a crime that was exspunged. He said it was exspunged and on the meeting records they said they didnt care , it still happened. SO I can get these sites for you , but simply typing in state medical board disciplinary actions will bring things up.

 

[Dr Dean]

I have done alot of research on this and checked with many adcoms as well as license boards. Tell them. I have felony charges that were dropped BUT whether you see them or not when they do a FBI search they can see the records and if you view state records of license revoking there are many that have been taking for simply not reporting somehting as silly as a bounced check that went to court or one guy not reporting a crime that was exspunged. He said it was exspunged and on the meeting records they said they didnt care , it still happened. SO I can get these sites for you , but simply typing in state medical board disciplinary actions will bring things up.

The word is expunged, not exspunged. That spelling mistake is a felony in itself.

 

[liverotcod]

The word is expunged, not exspunged. That spelling mistake is a felony in itself.

Although "exsponged" would almost make sense.

I struggled a bit on whether to report a drunk driving from 1989 - the language used in secondaries is a little tricky, e.g. "Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?"

In general, I'm responding "no" because a first offense drunk driving is, in fact, a traffic violation. My difficulty is with the word "minor."

 

[LoveDoc]

I have done alot of research on this and checked with many adcoms as well as license boards. Tell them. I have felony charges that were dropped BUT whether you see them or not when they do a FBI search they can see the records and if you view state records of license revoking there are many that have been taking for simply not reporting somehting as silly as a bounced check that went to court or one guy not reporting a crime that was exspunged. He said it was exspunged and on the meeting records they said they didnt care , it still happened. SO I can get these sites for you , but simply typing in state medical board disciplinary actions will bring things up.

getting in med school and applying for a state medical board license
are 2 huge separate issues don't you think? by then he could have
finished his 4 years, be in residency, and gotten a better opinion
from someone inside on how to respond before getting his license.

 

[liverotcod]

getting in med school and applying for a state medical board license
are 2 huge separate issues don't you think? by then he could have
finished his 4 years, be in residency, and gotten a better opinion
from someone inside on how to respond before getting his license.

Yes, but you want your paper trail to be consistent. At least in theory, your med school could pull your MD if you report something for licensing that you excluded from your med school application. But it's unlikely if there was no intent to defraud.

 

[LoveDoc]

Yes, but you want your paper trail to be consistent. At least in theory, your med school could pull your MD if you report something for licensing that you excluded from your med school application. But it's unlikely if there was no intent to defraud.

true...sounds like reliable advice.

well what if you run a check and find that your record is clean.
should you feel free to say no?

 

[bigbassinbob]

Although "exsponged" would almost make sense.

I struggled a bit on whether to report a drunk driving from 1989 - the language used in secondaries is a little tricky, e.g. "Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?"

In general, I'm responding "no" because a first offense drunk driving is, in fact, a traffic violation. My difficulty is with the word "minor."

I would highly recommend that you respond "yes" to this question. Although a DWI is a traffic violation, it is considered a major one, not minor. It is a misdemeanor, so you technically have to report it when they ask if you've been convicted of a crime.

 

[fun8stuff]

Uhhh.... this is a good question for your lawyer, not people on SDN. Call him/her up and ask!

 

[liverotcod]

Although a DWI is a traffic violation, it is considered a major one, not minor. It is a misdemeanor, so you technically have to report it when they ask if you've been convicted of a crime.

Oddly enough, it's not a misdemeanor in a lot of states, but rather a moving violation similar to reckless driving or speeding. I'm tempted to do as you suggest, but have decided that the letter of the question is more important than the intent, when there are legal issues to be dealt with.

Now, as for the U Vermont secondary, that's another issue entirely.