Misdemeanors and arrests

[doc99999]

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[TriagePreMed]

It looks like these are repeated offenses of very different nature. If I were on a board, I would seriously question giving you license at all. Anyone can make a mistake in life, but you've made plenty. Also, most colleges ask for misdemeanors too.

 

[gyngyn]

Unfortunately, I have many charges/convictions:

6 or 7 traffic tickets - These are all speeding tickets. Unfortunately these are all considered misdemeanor in my state(Georgia) not eligible for expungements.

1 - Petty theft - no conviction, charges not prosecuted(PBJ)

Arrest - Reckless driving (pleaded down from DUI) - paid fine and community services.

Arrest - Possession of Marijuana(less than one oz) - charges dropped after one year or probation(fines+community service).

Stalking - Misdemeanor conviction.


With above charges/convictions you think would be a problem as most applications I seen are looking for felony. Even if a school accepts me will I have problem in clinical rotations, licensure.

Secondaries often ask if you have been charged with or convicted of a crime. You should fully disclose the offenses since this constellation of charges/convictions will appear on your criminal background check (if you get that far in the process). I have never a list this long but much shorter lists have been found inconsistent with professionalism by medical school admissions committees. Any of these offenses (except the traffic tickets) if committed during medical school could result in professionalism probation at a minimum or dismissal.

 

[doc99999]

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[DrMidlife]

Pick a state and google the medical licensing board. Here's what California has to say:

The Board does receive information regarding actions which have been expunged, and the application forms advise applicants to disclose all prior convictions including those that have been dismissed or expunged. In addition, pending charges must be reported by an applicant immediately upon notification of the charge. The Board will learn of these actions through the fingerprint criminal history check.


A conviction that does not, at first glance, appear to be substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a physician, may, under closer scrutiny, be revealed otherwise (e.g; reckless driving, DUI's, and sex crimes). All information related to an applicant's criminal history is considered. The specific conviction; when it occurred; the circumstances surrounding the conviction; the number of convictions; compliance with the court's terms and conditions; and rehabilitation are factors considered when determining an applicant's eligibility for licensure. In addition, one of the more important criteria is disclosure of the conviction. Failure to disclose a conviction is considered to be dishonest, and therefore an egregious breach of ethics and unprofessional conduct.

 

[gyngyn]

Schools I intend to apply are only asking felony or applying abroad. I am only concerned about clinical rotations and licensure issues. Are there any lawyers that can help me get past once I reach there. I have been clean after these incidents, I had some mental health issues that I do not wish to disclose, as I am stable now and wish to move on.

Even if they only ask for felonies all of this will show up on your Certiphi scan and could affect a decision regarding admission (admissions actions are provisional pending clearance). It is also true that affiliating clinical sites conduct their own criminal background checks and may well find this history inconsistent with patient safety. If the school has a policy which requires that you have the ability to serve at a particular site you would not be eligible to continue as a student. 4th year rotations also conduct such evaluations and as previously noted, so do state medical boards. At any of these junctures your fitness for service or licensure could be found lacking.