Disclose arrest without conviction? Forum

[agenthero]

Hi. If the application only asks for "convictions," do I not have to disclose arrests not resulting in convictions? Thanks.

[bjc314]

I wouldn't think so, but some more information would be helpful. Were you charged and given a pretrial diversionary program, were the charges never filed by the prosecutor, or were they dismissed at some point? At any rate, your best bet would be to call admissions at the schools to which you apply and ask.

[agenthero]

Arrested and charged but had charges dropped for lack of evidence.

[Mr. T]

I thought conviction = guilty. Anything else, I'm assuming, is not a conviction - including pre-trial div, dismissal, etc.

[Mr. T]

And, dropped charges.

[agenthero]

Thanks, anyone else have any thoughts?

[Marionberry]

This is a simple question. Answer all application questions fully and accurately. If the question asks "Have you ever been convicted?", well, then you just tell them about convictions. There's no reason to go disclosing stuff they don't ask for.

[4for44]

I thought conviction = guilty. Anything else, I'm assuming, is not a conviction - including pre-trial div, dismissal, etc.

This

As future lawyers we all should really start reading exactly what it asks for

[agenthero]

Haha, thank you. I'm actually pretty solid with reading comprehension (-1 in October), I just want to make sure when it comes to something like this. I didn't know if anyone had specific experience with this type of case.

[Marionberry]

They can't give you crap if you answered a question accurately. If they want something, they will ask for it.

[agenthero]

Thanks. But growing up in DC my parents always warned me against taking advice from Mayor Barry.

[Marionberry]

That's certainly good advice, though I got my name from a fruit: the marionberry.