Reporting a Misdemeanor

[koalax3]

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I need some advice--

I just finished my MS1 year and this past January I got arrested for a DUI with a BAC just over a limit. Therefore my charge was pled down to a wet/reckless instead of a DUI but they're basically the same thing with just fewer fines and a shorter probation period and no license suspension.

My question is...should I tell my dean about this? I know for sure they will be doing a fingerprint check and a self-disclosure questionnaire for the VA at the end of MS2 year so I would think that the VA would eventually end up asking the dean if she knew about this. So if she will probably find out, should I just bring it up with her this summer for "professionalism" or just wait until she finds out next summer and asks me about it? The only thing that is helping me (I don't even know if it matters) is that I'm in the top 5% of my class and active in a lot of programs on campus.

Also, is something like this most likely going to go on your dean's letter if you don't get suspended or anything?

Any help or insight would greatly be appreciated!

 

[12R34Y]

There is a section on the ERAS for all residency applications that require you to explain if you've ever been convicted of anything. so, yes all of your residency programs will find out about it when you apply.

I don't know about it going in your dean's letter (probably school dependant).

In the future when you apply for a license and have to get your DEA number etc...there will be no way for your to "hide it". it will be made known then for sure.

On a positive note I'm sure you're not the only medical student who's done this and I'm sure in the end it won't matter too much.

later

 

[NinerNiner999]

I'm not clear about something - were you convicted of a DUI or wreckless driving? It doesn't matter what you were charged with, but what you were convicted of. If you were convicted of a DUI - tell your dean. If you were convicted of Wreckless Driving, ride it out - you will most likely only get points on your license and an insurance rate hike. WD will not go on your criminal record (like a DUI can in some states).

 

[Von Hohenheim]

I'm not clear about something - were you convicted of a DUI or wreckless driving? It doesn't matter what you were charged with, but what you were convicted of. If you were convicted of a DUI - tell your dean. If you were convicted of Wreckless Driving, ride it out - you will most likely only get points on your license and an insurance rate hike. WD will not go on your criminal record (like a DUI can in some states).

"pled down" to reckless driving means convicted of reckless driving.

I wouldn't sweet that. You can get a reckless driving conviction from speeding on the highway. No one's necessarily going to know about the substance issue.

As for the VA. The VA never did a background check on my as a student or took my prints. Is this a new thing? Are they doing a background check or just taking your prints for future reference?

 

[Poety]

Its a new thing going on with all hospitals, you will be fingerprinted before 3rd year, and it will be reported to each hospital. Any conviction WILL come up on your record (its an FBI print which has EVERYTHING on it) I would probably mention the reckless driving thing to your dean - and see how she wants to handle it. You'll need her assistance in this matter when applying to residency for sure. When you apply for licensure, its a whole other background check with yet another set of prints 🙄

 

[wook]

I'm not clear about something - were you convicted of a DUI or wreckless driving? It doesn't matter what you were charged with, but what you were convicted of. If you were convicted of a DUI - tell your dean. If you were convicted of Wreckless Driving, ride it out - you will most likely only get points on your license and an insurance rate hike. WD will not go on your criminal record (like a DUI can in some states).

I'm not sure about all the different states, but in Massachusetts, reckless operation of a motor vehicle would be a criminal offense as would negligent operation of a motor vehicle (the lesser charge). I believe that you should check this out in the state in which the offense occurred.


Wook

 

[Loopo Henle]

I think honesty is going to be your best policy here. Be a man, Be up front and honest, and you should not have to many problems. You screwed up once. Lie about it or try to cover it up and you have screwed up twice especially when your dean/future residency PD finds out about it.

 

[Jocomama]

Bad idea!!!!

DO not ask random people on a website about information that may or may not affect your medical license. This is about as poor judgement as you getting the DUI in the first place.

You got a heart murmer, don't ask the surgical forum how to manage it.

You ask your DUI attorney to refer you to an attorney within your state that specializes in obtaining licenses for medical professionals.

Usually, there are attorneys that at one time were active on the State Department of Professional Regulations, or whatever it's called in your state. These are the ONLY people that should be addressing this question.

But not a forum. Who the hell are we? Students? Doctors that think we know everything. It's like making surgical judgements based on information compiled from a bunch of case reports, rather than randomised, double-blinded, prospective trials with appropriate statistical analysis.

Hope my subtle comment helps.

I need some advice--

I just finished my MS1 year and this past January I got arrested for a DUI with a BAC just over a limit. Therefore my charge was pled down to a wet/reckless instead of a DUI but they're basically the same thing with just fewer fines and a shorter probation period and no license suspension.

My question is...should I tell my dean about this? I know for sure they will be doing a fingerprint check and a self-disclosure questionnaire for the VA at the end of MS2 year so I would think that the VA would eventually end up asking the dean if she knew about this. So if she will probably find out, should I just bring it up with her this summer for "professionalism" or just wait until she finds out next summer and asks me about it? The only thing that is helping me (I don't even know if it matters) is that I'm in the top 5% of my class and active in a lot of programs on campus.

Also, is something like this most likely going to go on your dean's letter if you don't get suspended or anything?

Any help or insight would greatly be appreciated!

 

[koalax3]

Bad idea!!!!

DO not ask random people on a website about information that may or may not affect your medical license. This is about as poor judgement as you getting the DUI in the first place.

You got a heart murmer, don't ask the surgical forum how to manage it.

You ask your DUI attorney to refer you to an attorney within your state that specializes in obtaining licenses for medical professionals.

Usually, there are attorneys that at one time were active on the State Department of Professional Regulations, or whatever it's called in your state. These are the ONLY people that should be addressing this question.

But not a forum. Who the hell are we? Students? Doctors that think we know everything. It's like making surgical judgements based on information compiled from a bunch of case reports, rather than randomised, double-blinded, prospective trials with appropriate statistical analysis.

Hope my subtle comment helps.

hmmm...but I don't think the lawyer would know anything about what I should or shouldn't tell my dean since I already checked the policy book and there is nothing written about mandatory reporting of convictions or arrests.

Also I already called the California licensing board and they said it would be fine and just to tell the truth since they would find out anyways.

 

[wook]

hmmm...but I don't think the lawyer would know anything about what I should or shouldn't tell my dean since I already checked the policy book and there is nothing written about mandatory reporting of convictions or arrests.

Also I already called the California licensing board and they said it would be fine and just to tell the truth since they would find out anyways.

I would still consider communicating with an attorney specializing in health care law, not so much for the dean, but on how he/she would suggest wording the incident on the application for a medical license.

Wook

 

[Jocomama]

You are falling into the doctor-know-it-all syndrome.
Just because you read something, or speak to a person that is paid to answer calls, does not result in adequate information.

Again - you are missing the point. Your attitude leading to the DUI is not unlike your attitude of getting legal advice from students, med students, residents and physicians.

This is a behavior pattern that will get worse as you continue. Please seek expert council in these matters. There are attorneys that have worked on the licensing boards and know from being on the other side.

Please - ears open, mouth and pen shut.
Good luck

hmmm...but I don't think the lawyer would know anything about what I should or shouldn't tell my dean since I already checked the policy book and there is nothing written about mandatory reporting of convictions or arrests.

Also I already called the California licensing board and they said it would be fine and just to tell the truth since they would find out anyways.

 

[Megalofyia]

short and simple: From personal experience in a similar situation I have to agree with Jocomama.

 

[Orange Julius]

You are falling into the doctor-know-it-all syndrome.
Just because you read something, or speak to a person that is paid to answer calls, does not result in adequate information.

Again - you are missing the point. Your attitude leading to the DUI is not unlike your attitude of getting legal advice from students, med students, residents and physicians.

This is a behavior pattern that will get worse as you continue. Please seek expert council in these matters. There are attorneys that have worked on the licensing boards and know from being on the other side.

Please - ears open, mouth and pen shut.
Good luck

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