The case of the missing misdemeanor

[BLACKMD]

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Well... this is the most ridiculous thing you'll read all day...

Right before you submit AMCAS you have the option of running your own background with Certiphi, so I paid for it and just got my results (it was delayed a week due to the fact that I gave them the wrong social at first). I ended up submitting AMCAS on June 2nd. I knew I had a misdemeanor, I just wanted to see how it was listed (I took a plea).

I wrote my 1325 characters in my AMCAS and AACOMAS app about how it happened, what I've done since then, etc. In summary, Certiphi contacted me twice about updating information because THEY CAN'T FIND IT. They suspect it was expunged under the Georgia First Offenders Act. I called the court house to verify but haven't gotten a reply yet.

So... how does this affect me? I admitted to a misdemeanor that I do not have on my record. I can't change my application since I submitted, but is it any better that it was in fact expunged? (if that's the case).

 

[gyngyn]

Well... this is the most ridiculous thing you'll read all day...

Right before you submit AMCAS you have the option of running your own background with Certiphi, so I paid for it and just got my results (it was delayed a week due to the fact that I gave them the wrong social at first). I ended up submitting AMCAS on June 2nd. I knew I had a misdemeanor, I just wanted to see how it was listed (I took a plea).

I wrote my 1325 characters in my AMCAS and AACOMAS app about how it happened, what I've done since then, etc. In summary, Certiphi contacted me twice about updating information because THEY CAN'T FIND IT. They suspect it was expunged under the Georgia First Offenders Act. I called the court house to verify but haven't gotten a reply yet.

So... how does this affect me? I admitted to a misdemeanor that I do not have on my record. I can't change my application since I submitted, but is it any better that it was in fact expunged? (if that's the case).

You will be fine.
It may well show up on searches done by individual schools or the hospitals with with they contract. You won't have to worry about it as it was disclosed.

 

[BLACKMD]

Great news. Thank you! I read the AMCAS instructions and it says not to disclose offenses under the GA First offenders act. Either way it's out there now, not the best thing to have on my app but it was 6 years ago and I have used that story so many times to mentor others in similar situations. If anything I hope it shows progression from a cruddy past. Thanks again!

 

[nontradjd]

Great news. Thank you! I read the AMCAS instructions and it says not to disclose offenses under the GA First offenders act. Either way it's out there now, not the best thing to have on my app but it was 6 years ago and I have used that story so many times to mentor others in similar situations. If anything I hope it shows progression from a cruddy past. Thanks again!

How old were you?

 

[BLACKMD]

How old were you?

I was 21.

 

[nontradjd]

I was 21.

OK. My best guess is that part of the plea was you were sentenced under the First Offender Act or your plea was such that no conviction was ever entered on the record.

 

[GonnaBeADocOneDay]

I'm pretty sure mine will not show up through the Certiphi search either. It was a first offense marijuana possession misdemeanor in Georgia. I went through a pre-trial diversion program. Took some drugs tests, did some community service and it was dismissed. I went to the GBI after I completed all of the requirements and paperwork, pulled a background check and it was not on there. Perhaps the same thing happened to you?

For me, I will de disclosing it on the sections that ask if I have ever been arrested, but since I was not charged or found guilty I believe I can answer no to those questions. Way better to err on the side of disclosure so you don't have to spend your entire training worrying it might come up in some random hospital or organization's background check and cause you problems!

 

[BLACKMD]

I'm pretty sure mine will not show up through the Certiphi search either. It was a first offense marijuana possession misdemeanor in Georgia. I went through a pre-trial diversion program. Took some drugs tests, did some community service and it was dismissed. I went to the GBI after I completed all of the requirements and paperwork, pulled a background check and it was not on there. Perhaps the same thing happened to you?

For me, I will de disclosing it on the sections that ask if I have ever been arrested, but since I was not charged or found guilty I believe I can answer no to those questions. Way better to err on the side of disclosure so you don't have to spend your entire training worrying it might come up in some random hospital or organization's background check and cause you problems!

Maybe, I really have no idea. I have all my paperwork and case numbers and such. It clearly states XYZ "Class X misdemeanor". I was on probation for all of two weeks. It doesn't say anything about being dismissed after successful completion or anything like that. So if you are checking "no" on the application misdemeanor question then where does the arrest question come in? Is that for secondaries or for later down the line?

 

[GonnaBeADocOneDay]

Maybe, I really have no idea. I have all my paperwork and case numbers and such. It clearly states XYZ "Class X misdemeanor". I was on probation for all of two weeks. It doesn't say anything about being dismissed after successful completion or anything like that. So if you are checking "no" on the application misdemeanor question then where does the arrest question come in? Is that for secondaries or for later down the line?

I was told that my arrest would not show up on public records, but that law enforcement and the such would still be able to see it in their database. So if I am ever asked by a police officer if I have ever have been arrested, I am to answer yes. The primary application does ask about convictions of felony or misdemeanor charges. Apparently most secondaries ask about rather you have ever been arrested and to explain. The secondary is where I plan to disclose to schools that specifically ask for this information.

 

[nontradjd]

I'm pretty sure mine will not show up through the Certiphi search either. It was a first offense marijuana possession misdemeanor in Georgia. I went through a pre-trial diversion program. Took some drugs tests, did some community service and it was dismissed. I went to the GBI after I completed all of the requirements and paperwork, pulled a background check and it was not on there. Perhaps the same thing happened to you?

For me, I will de disclosing it on the sections that ask if I have ever been arrested, but since I was not charged or found guilty I believe I can answer no to those questions. Way better to err on the side of disclosure so you don't have to spend your entire training worrying it might come up in some random hospital or organization's background check and cause you problems!

I was told that my arrest would not show up on public records, but that law enforcement and the such would still be able to see it in their database. So if I am ever asked by a police officer if I have ever have been arrested, I am to answer yes. The primary application does ask about convictions of felony or misdemeanor charges. Apparently most secondaries ask about rather you have ever been arrested and to explain. The secondary is where I plan to disclose to schools that specifically ask for this information.

Criminal questions tend to come one of three ways. I don't know how med apps work, but with law apps, it varied from school to school:
-Convictions: Only report anything for which you were found guilty, either by plea or through trial.
-Arrests: Report anything for which you were taken into custody, whether or not convicted.
-Charges: Report anything for which you were taken into custody or given a criminal citation.