How much to disclose on C&F? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone,

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was 16. It was a one-time juvenile thing. Do I address it in terms of "shoplifting", or do I include the exact penal code section I was arrested under? When the DA filed my case, the charges were changed slightly. Do I indicate the exact penal code sections of this as well? And do I need to indicate if they were felony or misdemeanor charges?

The case ended up getting dismissed, so I'm confused about how specific I need to be. Not trying to avoid disclosure or anything like that, just unsure of what is important and what is superfluous.

Thanks for any help!

[CanadianWolf]

Be brief, but thorough. No need to cite specific penal code sections, but it's okay to do so.

Consider: I was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor shoplifting when I was 16 years old. The charge was dismissed.

If the charge was dismissed as part of a plea bargain under, for example, a first offender statute, then that should be briefly noted. Otherwise, just state that the case was dismissed.

[Anonymous User]

No, it was dismissed on its own accord -- no plea bargain or deferred entry of judgment.

However, though the arrest was for a misdemeanor charge, when the case was filed, a felony charge was added. How do I/should I discuss this?

Thanks so much for the help!

[CanadianWolf]

Depends upon what the felony charge.