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When to disclose

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:29 pm
by tmplge
1st post! I've been lurking and reading up on topics for about 6months and wanted to thank everyone on here who has helped guide me, clear up questions, and calm my nerves.

With that said, I finally have a question myself. When and how would be the best time to disclose misdemeanor offenses to potential law schools? Should the information be provided in my personal statement regardless if a school asks for it or should I disclose it only on those applications that specify law violations/misdemeanors?

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:00 pm
by No13baby
Write a separate addendum.

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:16 pm
by theadvancededit
You should disclose it to all schools, under a separate addendum. There's no need to fill up valuable personal statement space when it should be addressed elsewhere.

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 2:00 pm
by tmplge
Thanks for the responses.

Some details: 7 years ago I was arrested for solicitation of a prostitute. I was a freshman in college-typical explanation and reasoning. The charge was dropped to trespassing and has been expunged. From what I have read here and consulted others this wont be more than a speed bump in my application process, my issue however is how to best present it in the addendum. (side-note, prosecutor advised me to fight it and would win, my attorney told me to take the deal and pay him less, bastard)

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 2:06 pm
by theadvancededit
Just be as factual and concise about it as possible; state what you were arrested for, what you were charged with, and it being expunged. Conclude it with something including that you have not and will not have issues moving forward from this event (if that's the case).

Also, see this thread: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... &p=4812448

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:30 pm
by throwawayacct
There are a significant amount of schools I am applying to that ask only for convictions; if I was arrested, and the charge was dismissed before trial, I'm assuming I don't need to report this arrest? I know it's probably a stupid question, but just want to be 100% sure.

Re: When to disclose

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:55 pm
by theadvancededit
throwawayacct wrote:There are a significant amount of schools I am applying to that ask only for convictions; if I was arrested, and the charge was dismissed before trial, I'm assuming I don't need to report this arrest? I know it's probably a stupid question, but just want to be 100% sure.
You're better of just disclosing it. Relying on assumptions could mean a huge headache for you, come C&F.