Character and Fitness addendum (misdemeanor) Forum

[GoodWill Stunting]

Here is the addendum I plan to submit with my applications. It is in reference to a misdemeanor (minor in possession of alcohol) for which the charges were dropped. I plan to submit it as a word document along with the (scanned) disposition of the case (as required by certain schools).. Would appreciate any thoughts..

On [DATE OF INCIDENT], I engaged in the regrettable act of underage drinking. I was cited with a misdemeanor for Minor in Possession of Alcohol (Case #: NUMBER). This incident took place on the evening of my high school prom in [CITY, STATE]. I was immature at the time and made an irresponsible choice without understanding what I know now, which is that there is a proper time and age for everything, as well as the fact that one need not use substances in order to have a good time. I had no criminal history prior to this incident and was a hopeful first college attendee from my family, which I believe led the judge to dismiss the charges (DATE OF ARRAIGNMENT) and grant me a chance to show that this one incident was not an accurate reflection of who I was setting out to be. I have since then matured and have developed a greater appreciation for law's rehabilitative effects, as I see myself as a case in point.

[Lawcat11]

I think it's a bit too wordy- you can just say in the first sentence that you engaged in underage drinking without labeling it a regrettable act. I also don't think you need to go into why the judge let you off. I'm a little unsure about the last sentence as well. I think if you just say that you were young and stupid and it's not a reflection of who you are, as evidenced by the fact that you haven't gotten into trouble since, it should be fine.

[rpupkin]

See edits:

On [DATE OF INCIDENT], I engaged in the regrettable act of underage drinking. I was cited with a misdemeanor for Minor in Possession of Alcohol (Case #: NUMBER). This incident took place on the evening of my high school prom in [CITY, STATE].I was immature at the time and made an irresponsible choice without understanding what I know now, which is that there is a proper time and age for everything, as well as the fact that one need not use substances in order to have a good time. I had no criminal history prior to this incidentand was a hopeful first college attendee from my family, which I believe led, and the judge todismissed the charges (DATE OF ARRAIGNMENT) and grant me a chance to show that this one incident was not an accurate reflection of who I was setting out to be. I have since then matured and have developed a greater appreciation for law's rehabilitative effects, as I see myself as a case in pointnow appreciate the importance of following the law.

[GoodWill Stunting]

I think it's a bit too wordy- you can just say in the first sentence that you engaged in underage drinking without labeling it a regrettable act. I also don't think you need to go into why the judge let you off. I'm a little unsure about the last sentence as well. I think if you just say that you were young and stupid and it's not a reflection of who you are, as evidenced by the fact that you haven't gotten into trouble since, it should be fine.

See edits:

On [DATE OF INCIDENT], I engaged in the regrettable act of underage drinking. I was cited with a misdemeanor for Minor in Possession of Alcohol (Case #: NUMBER). This incident took place on the evening of my high school prom in [CITY, STATE].I was immature at the time and made an irresponsible choice without understanding what I know now, which is that there is a proper time and age for everything, as well as the fact that one need not use substances in order to have a good time. I had no criminal history prior to this incidentand was a hopeful first college attendee from my family, which I believe led, and the judge todismissed the charges (DATE OF ARRAIGNMENT) and grant me a chance to show that this one incident was not an accurate reflection of who I was setting out to be. I have since then matured and have developed a greater appreciation for law's rehabilitative effects, as I see myself as a case in pointnow appreciate the importance of following the law.

Thank you for your responses. I have made those edits.

I have 2 other traffic tickets (disobeyed light), one that shows on my record and another that was reduced to blocking traffic (does not appear on my driving record).

During the latter, I did not have my wallet with me (as I was rushing back to where I had forgotten it) and was ticketed for all of, driving without license/insurance/registration (all were in my wallet ) and disobeying the traffic signal. Everything was valid, I just didn't have them with me.

All citations except the license (not on person) ticket, for which I just needed to show proof that my license was valid at the time of the incident, were reduced or dismissed after I hired an attorney.

As a result of miscommunication between my attorney and I, I did not know of the aforementioned until I learned that my drivers license was being suspended because of failure to address the license not in possession citation. I immediately scheduled a court date and provided the court with the necessary documentation and my license was "unsuspended" after 8 days (so license was suspended for total of 8 days). This shows on my driving record. My question is - do I need to disclose these in my applications with an explanation as I will do with the misdemeanor?