Juvenile felony adjudication

[rageqt]

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My questions have been answered, thanks.

 

[baxt1412]

You were young and dumb. That's the reason you did it. (no offense, just being honest lol... kids do stupid stuff)


I believe some apps ask for things even if they were expunged, but I could be wrong.


@Goro and @gyngyn would probably be able to give you a pretty good answer, but so would a search. People post these threads all th etime.


I don't think it's going to be an app killer... it was so long ago that there is no way someone could reasonably assume you are the same person and you've shown evidence to the contrary of that.

 

[cactus8910]

Given that not all schools ask about expunged records, you likely won't be "auto-rejected to the majority of schools for a few cycles." Your best move is to be honest, because if you do get accepted somewhere and then the school finds out about your record, you're screwed. If you're open about it upfront, I don't think it will be a huge issue, given that you were 13 and it is your only offense.

Also, just a heads up: I notice you said you're planning to apply to med schools this fall. If you can, you should really aim to get your application in as early as possible (First 2 weeks of June), since almost all schools have rolling admissions.

 

[gyngyn]

The AMCAS primary will not require disclosure of juvenile offenses.
Schools whose primary hospital affiliations are county, state or federal may ask for any charges, convictions or settlements in the secondary as these will still show up on the FBI background check often required to serve at these insitutions.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I had recent arrests as an adult that are on my record, no felonies though. I got in! So I'm sure it won't be a problem, unless they specifically ask you to include expunged convictions, I would not. I just filled out a fingerprint clearance card application, got rejected (as expected due to my adult arrests) and filed an appeal. On the appeal they said to omit expunged/juvenile offenses. If a fingerprint clearance card (which goes through the FBI) does not need that info, I can't imagine any med school needing that info (UNLESS they specifically ask for it).

 

[Goro]

At age 13, you were probably not even aware you were alive. We'd cut you some slack.

Age 18 would be very different.

Hi all,
I have some concerns about a juvenile record and applying to medical schools this fall. Any advice would be much appreciated and if you have no advice, thank you for taking the time to read this. I will begin with my charge and the consequences thereof, followed by my concerns.

Then:
When I was 13 years old I entered an elementary school (through an unlocked door) after hours with 3 other "friends." While we were inside, one of the other kids stole a teacher's labtop and after wondering through the school for some time after, we all left. Long story short, we were all "charged" or adjudicated for burglary. The teacher received his laptop back with no damage, and we had to do some community service (can't remember exactly how much), and was on probation for a year. I can't say for sure why exactly I decided to do what I did as it was so long ago, but it was most likely do to poor judgment and other factors (abusive step father, highest education in family completed is 8th grade, "friends" in the same situation I am, etc.). I realize no one held a gun to my head, I chose to go in knowing it was wrong, and accepted the consequences. When I turned 18 or 19, I went to the courthouse and payed some crazy fee ($500 I believe?) to have my record sealed/expunged, so that I could legally answer "No" to any question regarding a criminal history with the exceptions of state bars and government agencies.

Now:
I am now 25 years old and a senior at a state university about to apply to med schools this fall. I have had no other trouble with the law, not even a speeding ticket, since I was 13 years old. I have worked full time as a Critical Care Paramedic for 5 years (while going to school full time for 4 of the 5), I've taught free CPR and First aid to schools and churches around my community for around 4 years, I volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club to help with any homework and lead the Teen leadership program at the unit I'm affiliated with (so that I can maybe be a role model that I didn't have when I was younger, to another troubled kid), my cGPA is a 3.7, sGPA is 3.6, I have 5 LOR's, and I'm taking the MCAT this summer.

Concerns:
I know that I will have to mention my record to the state licensing board, as I've already had to disclose my record previously to receive my paramedic license. I believe AMCAS states on their applications to list all misdemeanor/felonies with the exception of expunged and juvenile records, but what about secondary apps from med schools that specifically ask "have you ever been charged with a felony/misdemeanor"? Would I have to disclose even though they are not a government agency? I've read similar stories to which the replies have been "you MUST disclose this to med schools as they can rescind your application or take away your degree", but if I'm legally allowed to say "No" to any criminal history, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by volunteering to disclose. It seems my options are to: A: not disclose any information about my juvenile record until I go for licensing (and then risk the med school finding out and pulling my degree for dishonesty with them), or to B: volunteer to disclose my juvenile record to med schools and be auto rejected to the majority of schools for a few cycles. To me, B seems like the more logical choice since it is my future I'm dealing with and I don't want any more dishonesty claims to be lingered over my head, but then again as I stated earlier, I don't want to volunteer any poisonous information that was not necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks

 

[rageqt]

Thank you guys for your advice. I gathered from your responses that for the AMCAS primary I will be able to deny having any juvenile offense, and for the secondaries it will be situational as to whether they ask for expunged/juvenile records or not. I would've never thought going into that school would negatively impact the rest of my life (which is the reason im in this vice ironically). One day I will be 65 years old filing for social security or some similar event, and having to check "yes I have a felony." Hopefully, a background check is not required to get into the gates of heaven.

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you guys for your advice. I gathered from your responses that for the AMCAS primary I will be able to deny having any juvenile offense, and for the secondaries it will be situational as to whether they ask for expunged/juvenile records or not. I would've never thought going into that school would negatively impact the rest of my life (which is the reason im in this vice ironically). One day I will be 65 years old filing for social security or some similar event, and having to check "yes I have a felony." Hopefully, a background check is not required to get into the gates of heaven.

You may need to report this under some circumstances but not others. Read the fine print on every application. Even if you do report it, something like this will not be held against you as it was non-violet and when you were really young. Always be truthful based on what is asked and you should have no worries.