Top Law Schools

I was charged with felony theft at 19. The charges were eventually dismissed with prejudice. I am now 27 and have had no other legal issues. I have had multiple background checks where this didn't show up, and one where it did. Should I disclose this in my application? If so, could it be to my advantage to write about that experience in my personal statement? Should I speak to the local prosecutor about this situation?

Yes, you need to disclose this and discuss how you've changed. Make sure to take responsibility. I doubt that it would be a major issue since there was no conviction and it's been over a decade since the incident. Non-violent isolated incidents are usually not a problem for law school as long as you're open and honest about the incident.

Yes, disclose, but discuss in an addendum, not your PS.

I'm pretty sure every thread I've seen that's asked about C&F disclosures has been given the advice to disclose. Always disclose. The C&F question is more a test to see if you can answer the C&F question truthfully as opposed to what offenses you write (within reason).

If the case was dismissed, just be truthful. You were charged with XYZ and the charges were dismissed. If you had to admit guilt and complete some kind of 1st offender program, say so. If it was dismissed for a reason that doesn't involve admitting guilt, I wouldn't say anything other than it was dismissed. Letting them think it might be because you were wrongly accused is better then confirming that you got off on a technicality.

A single offense 8 years ago with a clean record since then, I don't think you need to have a significant discussion about how you've changed. In fact, I think doing so suggests that you weren't an otherwise good person at 19, as opposed to this being a single isolated incident.

I might write something like this in a C&F: 8 years ago, at the age of 19, I was charged with felony theft. The charges were dismissed with prejudice.

If that's the only line in a C&F disclosure, I doubt they will give it a second glance.