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Currently applying for vacation positions to law firms. Had no problems with most of them (which only asked about charges or convictions) but this top tier law firm specifically asked "have you ever assisted the police in any investigations or are you currently assisting the police in any investigations?"

I was arrested in sophomore year of college for shoplifting. I wasn't the one that was stealing stuff. It was this girl that I was with so both of us got arrested. The cops reviewed the tapes after our arrest so they let me go with a warning. I was never charged for anything. I know for a fact that my arrest was not on the public record - i.e. will only be viewed by the government agencies. The admission bar application only asked if I was ever convicted so this was never an issue for C&F.

So the question is should I disclose? I am 100% sure that if I disclose, I would never get the position. The law firm's positions are so oversubscribed that they are basically just looking for reasons as to not hire you.

Will the law firm ever be able to assess private police records?

Honestly if they are going to find out about this I'm just not going to apply to the firm.

Why do you think your experience counts as "assisting" the police?

Assisting is broader than being the subject of investigation, no?

I am guessing that I was a subject of police investigation considering that I was arrested and fingerprinted (albeit not in public records)

Mostly concerned about how extensive the background check is gonna be.

Sigh, I am guessing this firm just ain't for me then. Unfortunate since it's my top choice.

Wut...

Why not apply and let them reject you if they're going to? You're no worse off than if you don't apply and the possible upside is better.

Because the area that I am applying for is extremely extremely specialised and the partners in the different top tier firms all know each other. Not willing to let my chances in another firm be affected by this

lolol. You weren't even charged. This isn't the bar C&F, you don't have to say shit.

I'm a bit confused as to why you think that would count as assisting the police. They arrested you because they thought you shoplifted, then released you when they figured out you didn't do anything. It's not like you told them about the girl that was shoplifting prior to the arrest, and had her arrested...

Well the police in my jurisdiction sometimes give media statements that state that suspects are currently assisting with the police for investigations. It's extremely awkward semantics but yeah. The question is probably targeted to get people who were involved in public corruption investigations.

I'm really just concerned as to whether a private employer can access non public records. It seems like the opinion here is to not disclose? I guess I'm just paranoid at this point.

If you were caught jaywalking and the cop let you off with a warning, would that count as "assisting in an investigation"?

Just send in your application already...