Legal Woes

[Izzy]

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My fiance has recently been accepted to an osteopathic school. I am very excited for him. Last week he used very, very poor judgement and was involved in a car accident, which was truly not his fault, but had been drinking, and was charged with a DUI. He thought he was under the legal limit, but he was wrong. He screwed up, he knows it, and feels horrible about the situation. He is a wonderful student, and will make a wonderful doctor.
My question is this: is he responsible for contacting the school he will be attending if he is convicted of the DUI. He claims he does not because it is only a misdeamenor, not involving a controlled substance, but I am worried that he is wrong (and I worry enough for both of us). Anyone have any advice, or know anyone who does.

 

[Dr JPH]

I'm not sure that it matters unles it is considered a felony. In the application process they ask you if you have ever been convicted of a felony. So really, he can say no.

I would take a don't ask, don't tell stance on this one.

 

[sunystudent]

DWI and DUI are considered felonies. The time he should be most concerned is when he is graduating and applying for his credentials. In some states they may not grant him these with this on his record. I am not sure however how the med school would handle it. I know about this because my cousin was in a similar situation. Please be careful and good luck I hope this helped🙂

 

[Billy33]

i'm with JP on this one, he didn't have it when the apps were filled out, there's no reason to call and add this to his resume. even docs make bad judgement calls in their personal lives, it's human nature.

 

[kaplanm79]

I know that in PA dui is a misdemeanor, and for first time offenders if they take something called ARD classes they can get the crime erased from their record. I'm pretty sure that on AACOM's general application it asks if you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, but with secondaries some schools asked if you had ever been convicted of any crime, some asked about misdemeanors, and some just asked about felonies. I would first see if you could find anyone who had a similar situation, maybe post this in the osteopathic forum as well. He could always call the school and ask them their policy and just not tell them his name. It would really stink to pay for your first year of med school (or a couple of years), only to get kicked out because you broke one of the admissions policy (hopefully that wouldn't be the case).

 

[DrQuinn]

Agreed. Don't tell them. You will run into a bit of trouble when he is getting his license but that is a hurdle to not worry about now.

Q, DO

 

[Kalel]

We had a similar situation happen at my school while I happened to be in our office of student affairs. A student called in and asked the secretary of our dean whether or not he should tell the dean that he has a DUI. The dean told the secretary to tell him don't bother, he doesn't want to know who he is.

 

[raptor5]

Agreed. Don't tell them. You will run into a bit of trouble when he is getting his license but that is a hurdle to not worry about now.

What kind of hurdle. A friend of mine (i.e. me) made a mistake similar to this 8 years ago. How will this affect my friend Q.

 

[Airzonk]

DUI and DWI laws vary according to state. The majority of DWI DUI offenses are considered misdemeanors. I saw above that someone believed they were felonies but they are not under most circumstances. If your fiance has no prior arrests (i'm really talking no priors eg., public intox etc.) he will find himself in ARD i forget what the acronym stands for but look it up. Once you are placed in ARD your conviction will be deferred until you complete the program and your record is expunged following completion. If you go on through life and do not get caught drinking and driving again you will be a o.k. and never have to tell employeers you were arrested or convicted for anything because it is not on your record. He will also find out that he will lose his license for 30 days for the 1st offense and much much more time for offenses thereafter. The process and the system sucks but for now the law is good regarding 1st time offenders. DO NOT DO THIS AGAIN! Also i'm not a lawyer, laws vary from state to state as do circumstances but from what you say he will be fine. Good luck P.M. if you have any questions.

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by raptor5
What kind of hurdle. A friend of mine (i.e. me) made a mistake similar to this 8 years ago. How will this affect my friend Q.

When you apply for your state license, they will ask you lots about your legal background, and any substance abuse issues you've had. All this MAY mean (i'm not a licensed physician yet, still have to take step 3), is that you may have to take a class on alcohol abuse. Something along those lines. It may just add a step or two to get your license. Its not the end of the world.

Q, DO

 

[Yosh]

I agree as well. If he has already been accepted...then is isn't lying, and there is NO NEED to draw undo attention to himself. I know people that have gotten DWI/DUI in school..and they handled their personal affairs...personally.

I would follow the advice given....keep it clean, keep out of trouble, and LEARN from your mistake...

Best of luck in school!!!!

 

[Izzy]

Thanks for all of the advice, I will let him know. Congrats to all of you and good luck in all of your pursuits!

 

[cooldreams]

i thought i heard that if you get into some sort of law trouble while you are going to med skoo, they will kick you out??