Legal question

[daunit]

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Hey guys I will be applying next cycle and I have a question regarding the part of the application where it asks if you've ever been arrested (or something like that). I got an underage the summer before my freshman year of college and have since had it expunged. The police department told me that if i'm ever asked about this i can deny it because it was expunged. I don't know how exactly this works with dental schools. It seems to be a different situation especially since its a field that involves a lot of ethics. What are you guys' opinions on this matter? What should I do? Thanks

 

[dentstd]

Hey guys I will be applying next cycle and I have a question regarding the part of the application where it asks if you've ever been arrested (or something like that). I got an underage the summer before my freshman year of college and have since had it expunged. The police department told me that if i'm ever asked about this i can deny it because it was expunged. I don't know how exactly this works with dental schools. It seems to be a different situation especially since its a field that involves a lot of ethics. What are you guys' opinions on this matter? What should I do? Thanks

You have no criminal record whatsoever. It's your legal right to claim that nothing ever happened. This is not a matter of ethics, and you will not be deemed unprofessional for doing what's well within your legal right.

 

[psi169]

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[dentstd]

I thought there was a part about disclosing any information even though it may be sealed or expunged.

Then that question violates his rights and should not have been asked. Some questions cannot be legally asked but are asked anyway because they don't know better. I think religious preference is one of them, but I forget. Anywho, you are free to lie on that question without consequences.

 

[daunit]

ok thanks a lot guys

 

[Aceofspades]

You should read the question carefully and perhaps seek the advice of counsel. I doubt the question will ask about "arrests" because those are meaningless. It is more likely to ask about "convictions." I know some states treat expunged convictions as dismissals and therefore the answer would honestly be no, I have never been convicted. Not sure about all states. You should note that expunged and sealed convictions can still show up on certain background checks.