In a really bad situation

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
gummyvitamins said:
So...

I was arrested two months ago for domestic violence level 4. It was a misunderstanding though. I wanted to protect the guy I loved and I didn't tell the whole truth. I honestly did not think that I would be arrested that night and sent to jail. The reason why I went to jail was because he had a scratch on his face, which he probably got from me trying to get him off of me. I have a lawyer now and he is helping me to get the charge dismissed. The problem is, I have been accepted to an Osteopathic school already and I don't know this will show up on my background check. I also do not know how this would affect residency IF I end up going to school due to this. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a know-it-all, but why are you asking us for advice on legal matters when you have retained a lawyer? I would direct any and all questions about the extent of these charges to your him/her.

Best of luck in your situation--it sounds like an unfortunate misunderstanding.
 
necronomicon said:
Not to sound like a know-it-all, but why are you asking us for advice on legal matters when you have retained a lawyer? I would direct any and all questions about the extent of these charges to your him/her.

Best of luck in your situation--it sounds like an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Click to expand...
Yes exactly, talk to your lawyer. If it comes down to not being able to get it expunged then you should definetly let your adcom know at your school.
 
Some commercial databases can report arrests within 24 hours. You really need to talk to your lawyer.
 
gummyvitamins said:
So...

I was arrested two months ago for domestic violence level 4. It was a misunderstanding though. I wanted to protect the guy I loved and I didn't tell the whole truth. I honestly did not think that I would be arrested that night and sent to jail. The reason why I went to jail was because he had a scratch on his face, which he probably got from me trying to get him off of me. I have a lawyer now and he is helping me to get the charge dismissed. The problem is, I have been accepted to an Osteopathic school already and I don't know this will show up on my background check. I also do not know how this would affect residency IF I end up going to school due to this. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

I dunno about other people but I really want to hear this story, lol
 
Being arrested and being convicted are two different things. I seriously doubt you'd be dismissed because of an arrest, and I doubt you'll be convicted of a crime.
 
If the charges are dismissed it won't come up on the bg check
 
My understanding is that schools require you to inform them even if just charges are pending. I also recommend discussing it with your attorney.

Sent from my SCH-R910 using Tapatalk
 
You'll have to see this through. Be sure that your lawyer understands you are accepted to medical school as that will help you out tremendously if you were to be found guilty. It's no secret that judges typically have leniency on those who are destined to become productive members of society.

No lawyer in the world would know what you're supposed to tell your medical school so of course the worst advice anyone could give you (and did!) is to talk to him/her. My mother is a lawyer and she would have no idea what to tell you.

It's only right to let the school know about it. The failure of not telling them, in my opinion, is worse than them finding out through some secondary channel.

Bottom line is that being charged with a crime will not show up on your criminal record. A conviction will show up on your criminal background check. You can have your record expunged and the conviction removed from your record however that process takes awhile and you would not be able to do that immediately. You would need to put some time between the offense and filing for the removal.

Do the right thing. Let them know. If they find out you're trying to hide something from them it will be much worse on you.

My opinion - worth price paid!
 
CopToEM said:
You'll have to see this through. Be sure that your lawyer understands you are accepted to medical school as that will help you out tremendously if you were to be found guilty. It's no secret that judges typically have leniency on those who are destined to become productive members of society.

No lawyer in the world would know what you're supposed to tell your medical school so of course the worst advice anyone could give you (and did!) is to talk to him/her. My mother is a lawyer and she would have no idea what to tell you.

It's only right to let the school know about it. The failure of not telling them, in my opinion, is worse than them finding out through some secondary channel.

Bottom line is that being charged with a crime will not show up on your criminal record. A conviction will show up on your criminal background check. You can have your record expunged and the conviction removed from your record however that process takes awhile and you would not be able to do that immediately. You would need to put some time between the offense and filing for the removal.

Do the right thing. Let them know. If they find out you're trying to hide something from them it will be much worse on you.

My opinion - worth price paid!
Click to expand...

...
 
Last edited:
gummyvitamins said:
I was contemplating whether to tell the school after my second pretrial, that way I will know whether I will be convicted or not? Or I will know what I will need to do (whether it be community service, classese, etc.) and how long I will need to do it for. I actually asked the school quite vaguely how one should proceed in a case like this, and they said that I should write a statement describing what happened before I submit a background check...they said that they can't tell me anything more...
Click to expand...
Lol awkward... I would probably not ask vaguely anymore. I would write a formal letter stating the charges, and some respectable explanation of how you are dealing with them and that it is not a reflection of your character.
 
gummyvitamins said:
I was contemplating whether to tell the school after my second pretrial, that way I will know whether I will be convicted or not? Or I will know what I will need to do (whether it be community service, classese, etc.) and how long I will need to do it for. I actually asked the school quite vaguely how one should proceed in a case like this, and they said that I should write a statement describing what happened before I submit a background check...they said that they can't tell me anything more...
Click to expand...

Review the secondary application you submitted - did it ask if you were charged or convicted?

Review their student manual and college catalog - does their code of conduct state that a misdemeanor is a violation of their code or just felonies? Does anywhere in their documentation state you must update them if convicted as a student?

I would advise you don't volunteer more information than necessary (i.e. reporting a charge if not asked to), but inform them of the conviction IMMEDIATELY after it happens (especially if it happens before they give you a background check).

If you follow their policies and codes to a 'T,' you cannot be in violation of their code of conduct.
 
zeroseventysix said:
Review the secondary application you submitted - did it ask if you were charged or convicted?

Review their student manual and college catalog - does their code of conduct state that a misdemeanor is a violation of their code or just felonies? Does anywhere in their documentation state you must update them if convicted as a student?

I would advise you don't volunteer more information than necessary (i.e. reporting a charge if not asked to), but inform them of the conviction IMMEDIATELY after it happens (especially if it happens before they give you a background check).

If you follow their policies and codes to a 'T,' you cannot be in violation of their code of conduct.
Click to expand...

...
 
Last edited:
gummyvitamins said:
I am not convicted as of yet but I should know after March 29 whether my case would have to court or not. The domestic violence charges are taken very seriously in the state of Washington and so I am pretty unsure about what will happen to me. I just hope the prosecutor will show some pity on me and my situation. I will definitely send a formal statement after that. Thank you.
Click to expand...

I cant stress enough: know their policies and act according to them. You are not in violation for not divulging what isnt required.
 
I don't know how schools respond to this but I can tell you that the number of people who have had assault, battery, or assault & battery charges taken out on them has to be astronomical. It's so easy to swear out a warrant on someone - especially for assault. I'm sure the school has dealt with this a hundred times.
 
Not to make you cringe even more OP, but be aware that a lot of Hospitals, well all of them, will require a background check before you are allowed to do any rotations or residencies there. Your state governing body for your MD/DO will conduct a very thorough background check regarding criminal history.

Depending on the severity of the charge, misdemeanor will most likely not affect you too terribly if your acceptance isn't rescinded. Your state licence may require you to complete additional training or counseling or what have you prior to being granted a full license to practice medicine. Felony...you may not ever be granted a license to practice with a felony conviction :scared:

You can find a list of laws pertaining to how and when you are required to notify the state medical board regarding arrests and not even convictions etc. Read through the laws (you will have to eventually one day :laugh: )

Best of luck 👍
 
I would not say ANYTHING to the school without looking through their manuals. If they can't check on charges/arrests (which is likely) you don't want to tell them anything. If you are convicted after the fact, that is different... Based on what I know in my state, you will not get an expungement for a domestic assault charge... Sooo, don't get convicted... If at all possible get it changed to disorderly, or anything else... DA charges are bad...
 
gummyvitamins said:
I was contemplating whether to tell the school after my second pretrial, that way I will know whether I will be convicted or not? Or I will know what I will need to do (whether it be community service, classese, etc.) and how long I will need to do it for. I actually asked the school quite vaguely how one should proceed in a case like this, and they said that I should write a statement describing what happened before I submit a background check...they said that they can't tell me anything more...
Click to expand...
Just to clarify: You should go over all materials from the school and see if it specifically says "you must inform the school if such charges are pending upon you." I know there are schools that do this. Do NOT volunteer information. Give accurate information if required ONLY.
 
TriagePreMed said:
Just to clarify: You should go over all materials from the school and see if it specifically says "you must inform the school if such charges are pending upon you." I know there are schools that do this. Do NOT volunteer information. Give accurate information if required ONLY.
Click to expand...

Exactly this
 
Make another email account and use a fake name to email the school and ask directly. Say you are interested in applying this year. Or send an anoymous email from a new account.
 
I wouldnt do that.

Here's the bottom line: theyre more likely to rescind if you volunteer to much info than kick you out for NOT violating their codes. Rescinding your acceptance doesnt reflect in their attrition numbers, but kicking you out does. Do you think any med school wants to bolster their attrition numbers if they don't have to? No, that's why they have remediation programs and give you six years to graduate in most cases. Use logic my man.

Strictly follow their codes and you have violated nothing... and they have no grounds to dismiss you.
 
This really isn't the place for legal advice. You should talk to a lawyer. If your lawyer isn't skilled in the area of medical licensing or the medical field in general, you should see out another attorney who regularly deals with these issues of potential licensing problems, etc. As your scenario isn't a licensing issue, it obviously will be different advice, but a competent lawyer in the medical arena should have good advice.
 
Where's Goro... they might have a little insight into this also...
 
zeroseventysix said:
I wouldnt do that.

Here's the bottom line: theyre more likely to rescind if you volunteer to much info than kick you out for NOT violating their codes. Rescinding your acceptance doesnt reflect in their attrition numbers, but kicking you out does. Do you think any med school wants to bolster their attrition numbers if they don't have to? No, that's why they have remediation programs and give you six years to graduate in most cases. Use logic my man.

Strictly follow their codes and you have violated nothing... and they have no grounds to dismiss you.
Click to expand...

Most school codes require volunteering legal issues. We had a girl get an OWI in our class. Those convictions take several months..... So technically this "conviction is not charges" talk is irrelevant. Look through your specific student handbook. Many schools have them online
 
CopToEM said:
I don't know how schools respond to this but I can tell you that the number of people who have had assault, battery, or assault & battery charges taken out on them has to be astronomical. It's so easy to swear out a warrant on someone - especially for assault. I'm sure the school has dealt with this a hundred times.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If the case is really as simple as the OP states and its a defensive wound then eh... I wouldnt be losing too much sleep over it.

We had a kid at my school straight up stalk another classmate for months to the point that the student turned the kid in to administration and showed them lengthy documentation of what had been going on. Punishment..."dont do it anymore." Not exaggerating that at all.

One of my best friends had a classmate at another school piss positive for cocaine during a rotation site drug screen. We all know that cocaine isnt testable for after like 72 hours...so this dude was actively using coke. He had to take some mandatory drug training class/rehab and was allowed back into the class.

Granted OP isnt a "full" member of his class yet....but I think premeds/med students like to think that the administration is just sitting there waiting for students to fck up so they can give them the boot. When in fact the opposite is true. Med schools want to keep you right in your seat. Shoveling truckloads of cash money into their accounts like a good sheepie. Most US med schools basically make it a chore to actually fail/get kicked out.

Good luck OP I am sure you will be alright!
 
SpecterGT260 said:
Most school codes require volunteering legal issues. We had a girl get an OWI in our class. Those convictions take several months..... So technically this "conviction is not charges" talk is irrelevant. Look through your specific student handbook. Many schools have them online
Click to expand...

What happened to the student with the OWI?
 
SpecterGT260 said:
Most school codes require volunteering legal issues. We had a girl get an OWI in our class. Those convictions take several months..... So technically this "conviction is not charges" talk is irrelevant. Look through your specific student handbook. Many schools have them online
Click to expand...

...hence why in every post I say refer to the specific school's codes...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TochRoach
Am i in a bad spot
Replies
2
Views
266
Goro
Goro
D
Feeling pretty bad
Replies
8
Views
1K
AlbinoHawk DO
AlbinoHawk DO
T
How bad is no research?
Replies
3
Views
872
DrFutureDO
DrFutureDO
bismah
  • Locked
Is this response too cringe... I cannot tell really struggling here with secondaries.
Replies
6
Views
798
ajaxmonkey
ajaxmonkey
W
Is ICOM still on the DO bad boy list?
Replies
3
Views
2K
TUWEST_509
T
Top