OWI - How/if to explain?

[akaMondo]

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So, I guess I have a few questions. I got an OWI four years ago at the beginning of college in the state of Wisconsin. It isn't a criminal offense here, but a moving traffic violation for 1st offense. This makes it tricky when asked questions about convictions for criminal offenses. For instance, Wash U's secondary asks: "Have you been convicted of any criminal offense (excluding speeding and non-moving traffic offenses)?" What do I answer? I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses, but the next phrase heavily implies they would like moving traffic offense that aren't speeding disclosed.

Second of all, for most other schools that directly ask if I've been convicted of a moving traffic violation, I'm wondering if I should explain what happened. I got in my car, drove for less than a block, realized I wasn't okay to drive, pulled into a public parking lot and called a friend to come get me. While waiting in the car for my friend, a police officer pulled in to check on why I was in a public parking lot after close, and since my car was on (It was January in Wisconsin!), I was given an OWI. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses - I'm not. Getting behind the wheel for any reason after having drank underage was the dumbest decision of my life, and I fully own up to that and will admit that in my essay. I do want to emphasize, however, that I wasn't driving around on the freeway willy-nilly and putting people's lives at risk.

Suggestions? Thanks for your time!

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Talk to your attorney, but from a quick google search, it seems Wisconsin is the only state that considers your offense a traffic offense. Hence, at least in the case of secondary applications outside of Wisconsin which ask about offenses other than speeding or non-moving traffic offenses, I would disclose.

 

[prowd2beloud147]

So, I guess I have a few questions. I got an OWI four years ago at the beginning of college in the state of Wisconsin. It isn't a criminal offense here, but a moving traffic violation for 1st offense. This makes it tricky when asked questions about convictions for criminal offenses. For instance, Wash U's secondary asks: "Have you been convicted of any criminal offense (excluding speeding and non-moving traffic offenses)?" What do I answer? I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses, but the next phrase heavily implies they would like moving traffic offense that aren't speeding disclosed.

Second of all, for most other schools that directly ask if I've been convicted of a moving traffic violation, I'm wondering if I should explain what happened. I got in my car, drove for less than a block, realized I wasn't okay to drive, pulled into a public parking lot and called a friend to come get me. While waiting in the car for my friend, a police officer pulled in to check on why I was in a public parking lot after close, and since my car was on (It was January in Wisconsin!), I was given an OWI. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses - I'm not. Getting behind the wheel for any reason after having drank underage was the dumbest decision of my life, and I fully own up to that and will admit that in my essay. I do want to emphasize, however, that I wasn't driving around on the freeway willy-nilly and putting people's lives at risk.

Suggestions? Thanks for your time!

An OWI, which is actually an OWVI, is short for operating while visibly impaired and is generally offered to 1st time DUI victims as an easier sentencing. THIS IS A MISDEMEANOR and you need to report it to the schools, otherwise they will say you were hiding your past.