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So long story short, I will be starting my intern year soon and need advice on my criminal history. I was arrested once in high school for a misdemeanor charge of battery that ultimately was dismissed, and arrested once more when I was 20 following a druken incidnet in which I was charged with underage possesion, disordley conduct, obstruction of justice (classified as misdemonors) and terroristics threats (classified as a felony). The felony was not prosecuted, and the miseemonors were discharged under my states special provisons following a period a probabtion, alcohol cessation, and community service.
Fast forward 8 years, I am soon to be graduating medical school and am submitting my application for my temopary medical license. The application states:
"Have you ever entered a plea bargain, been arrested, indicted or convicted for violating any state or federal law including DUI (excluding minor traffic violations)? As used in this question, the term "conviction" shall include a finding or verdict of guilt, or a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere in a criminal proceeding, regardless of whether the adjudication of guilt or sentence is withheld or not entered."
As well as:
"you are required to furnish complete details, including date, place, reason and disposition of the matter. This includes items such as a statement from the treating physician, court documents, etc."
To me, this sounds like I should disclose all arrest and their correpsonding disposition, inclduing the misdemonors that were ultimaltely discharged. My question is, would these misdemonors (or even arrests) prevent me from becoming licensed, what type of details/explanation should I include in my application, and should I reach out to my program and/or a lawyer on how to best move forward? I already spoke with the attorney that represented in these cases, but he was little to no help and certainly does not specialize in professional licensing cases.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
There are also 3rd party companies that will apply for you and assist in legal matters (typically for FMGs, visa issues, etc), may look into one of these. I don't imagine they're cheap, but may help.Thanks, @DrMetal and @HemeOncHopeful19 for the advice.
They obviously had an attorney when the charges were filed and then dropped / expunged / whatever. I'm not arguing against that.It's overkill to seek an attorney if the charges were shoplifting or simple trespass. But battery as a juvenile and possession, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, and terroristic threats as a 20 yo adult? Although they were dismissed/dropped, wouldn't these very serious charges raise alarm bells to the licensing board?
I think that I'd probably get a lawyer. I agree that it probably won't be necessary. But this is a question that is going to be continually asked, and I probably would want the peace of mind. I'd hope that a few episodes of hooliganism wouldn't condemn someone to a life of poverty.I think a lawyer is overkill. Disclose it, and it won't be a problem. It's far in the past. No one will care. It may slow the process, but it won't stop you from getting a training license.