Disclosure needed? Forum

Conando · Post by **Conando** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:11 pm

A few years ago, I was caught shop lifting at a super center. However, the police were not called/involved and I was never charged with a crime. I had to pay a fine (not legally mandated) and my name remains in the store's internal records.

I have already put down my seat deposit and did not include anything about this in my application, as I honestly did not remember that it occurred until recently. So my question is, do I need to disclose this to the school? If so, will they rescind my offer of admission?

Thanks for your help, I'm kind of freaking out about this.

Edit: I was 18+, the super center is a national chain, and I had to pay my fee to a law firm. Does this change anything?

ams · Post by **ams** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:18 pm

You probably don't technically need to disclose this, but I agree with the generally accepted wisdom that when in doubt, you should always disclose. I don't think they would rescind your offer.

chalhou1 · Post by **chalhou1** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:57 pm

they will never find out, just let it be

fatduck · Post by **fatduck** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:21 pm

the general counsel of the supermarket probably graduated from your law school. you're screwed.

fathergoose · Post by **fathergoose** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:32 pm

I was once sent to the principals office for sticking my tongue out at my teacher. I did not disclose that so you probably don't need to disclose this either.

fundamentallybroken · Post by **fundamentallybroken** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:02 am

Conando wrote:I had to pay a fine (not legally mandated) and my name remains in the store's internal records.

Awesome - you got shook down by a mall cop. That kind of stuff stays on your permanent record. I would definitely disclose.

dkt4 · Post by **dkt4** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:21 am

you definitely do not have to disclose this.

you obviously can choose to, but i have never seen an application for any school that requires that you disclose it.

bartleby · Post by **bartleby** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:06 am

you got shook down. by paying them, you're free from dealing with the authorities. this is like reporting you stole $20 from your dad's wallet when you were 12.

fatduck · Post by **fatduck** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:03 am

bartleby wrote:you got shook down. by paying them, you're free from dealing with the authorities. this is like reporting you stole $20 from your dad's wallet when you were 12.

do not listen to this poster. if you stole $20 from your dad's wallet you should disclose that, too. they will definitely interview your parents during C&F.

fundamentallybroken · Post by **fundamentallybroken** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:14 am

fatduck wrote:
bartleby wrote:you got shook down. by paying them, you're free from dealing with the authorities. this is like reporting you stole $20 from your dad's wallet when you were 12.
do not listen to this poster. if you stole $20 from your dad's wallet you should disclose that, too. they will definitely interview your parents during C&F.

TITCR.

Conando · Post by **Conando** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:54 am

See edit

Paraflam · Post by **Paraflam** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:33 pm

You weren't arrested, didn't have to go to court, you weren't convicted or charged with anything, police and the legal system were not involved. You don't have to disclose anything.

At big chains like that, if you get caught shoplifting they will usually take you in the back and give you the opportunity to pay some amount of money without getting the police involved, and then let you be on your way. This is because it's cheaper for them to get a quick $200 (or whatever) out of you and let you go than to take you to court and incur legal fees with the chance of them losing and getting nothing.

You paid the money to circumvent the legal system, there is no need to disclose anything on applications.

Conando · Post by **Conando** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:49 pm

Paraflam wrote:You weren't arrested, didn't have to go to court, you weren't convicted or charged with anything, police and the legal system were not involved. You don't have to disclose anything.

At big chains like that, if you get caught shoplifting they will usually take you in the back and give you the opportunity to pay some amount of money without getting the police involved, and then let you be on your way. This is because it's cheaper for them to get a quick $200 (or whatever) out of you and let you go than to take you to court and incur legal fees with the chance of them losing and getting nothing.

You paid the money to circumvent the legal system, there is no need to disclose anything on applications.

Thank you very much for your response

Conando · Post by **Conando** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:28 pm

Conando · Post by **Conando** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:18 pm

I can't stop thinking about this. Anymore thoughts? Should I really not disclose?

I just keep imagining me failing the C & F part of the bar after not disclosing this. Am I completely irrational?

aspire2more · Post by **aspire2more** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:40 pm

If the application does not require you to disclose, then you are not required to disclose. You will be (and should be) advised to disclose anyway, because when the bar association sees the discrepancy, you're going to have to deal with a bunch of extra crap that you could have avoided by oversharing on the application. I haven't heard from anyone that actually knows what they're talking about (i.e. those that went through the process) that it was a problem for them to disclose. As someone who submitted a C&F addendum with EVERY application, I'm certainly not throwing stones. So if even I'm feeling a little iffy that you didn't disclose...I highly recommend you go back to the application and see whether or not you answered the C&F questions truthfully. If you did, then relax.

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