<p>I am attending college as a freshman this fall. Last night I was arrested for a shoplifting felony (I know this was very stupid and I have never done anything of the sorts before). I'm wondering if I am required to inform my college? My lawyer says that I'll probably get off with community service, but I'm really concerned about having my admission revoked.</p>
<p>Did you just make this account to ask this strange question in this subforum?</p>
<p>Did you fight back when they caught you?</p>
<p>No, I did not fight back at all. The officers were all very kind to me and they said that I will most likely get a deferred prosecution, meaning that I will have to do community service but I will not be charged or convicted. I’m just concerned about whether or not I am obligated o required to inform my college. I know I made a terrible and stupid mistake, and my education and my college means a lot to me.</p>
<p>Does your admissions contract say anything? If so, do what it says. It probably requires you to report all pending charges and convictions.</p>
<p>If there’s nothing of that sort, you shouldn’t report it. An arrest is not a conviction, and for all that matters, it could have been bogus. While this does not seem to be the case here based on your comments, I still say: don’t report it until you are actually convicted. Furthermore, I think it’s none of the college’s business at this point.</p>
<p>Yeah I think you have to be actually convicted in order for you to need to report it.</p>
<p>Unless you are convicted, you’ll be fine. Bu the way, what did you shoplift that caused you to be charged with a felony?</p>
<p>I shoplifted a pair of ten dollar sunglasses, but they had a security sensor on them and in the state of north carolina removing a sensor (i thought it was just a sticker or something!) is a felony. I have no other offenses and I have straight A’s and everything, so I think that i’ll just get off with community service.</p>
<p>I remember I shoplifted a pack of Pokemon cards and my mom made me take them back to the store and apologize…</p>
<p>I was five…</p>
<p>Re-read your deposit agreement with the college you’re going to; it likely requires that you report any pending charge that’s not a minor traffic offense.</p>
<p>^She isn’t being charged. Arrests don’t count.</p>
<p>You could take the black.</p>
<p>Otherwise, no, it doesn’t seem like you need to contact anyone if you’re not being charged. If you are, however, “getting off” with community service, it probably means you’ve been charged/convicted and just given a light sentence.</p>
<p>If you get convicted, then yeah, you need to. Otherwise, they probably don’t need to know unless it’s in the contract like everyone else said.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It sounds like she was arrested and let go until her court date (by virtue of continuing to have a lawyer)… which means she is being charged.</p>
<p>“I shoplifted a pair of ten dollar sunglasses, but they had a security sensor on them and in the state of north carolina removing a sensor (i thought it was just a sticker or something!) is a felony.”
LOL
wait, so what your trying to say is that you didnt mean to steal anything, did you now what the stickers do, if not did u tell the cops the same story cuase they just might believe it, i’ve heard of a similiar story like that and the cops let him go cuase he was shopping in a state he’s never been in.</p>
<p>In the event this isn’t a ■■■■■ thread:
</p>
<p>You’ve already hired an attorney. If you want correct answers, you need to direct your questions to him, not CC.</p>
<p>I know its easy to get nervous, paranoid, and expect the worst when you think your future and something you have been waiting for and working hard for really (your education) might be in jeapordy but you really dont need to be. Its good that you asked this question it shows that you care but its really wasted energy at this point. Relax. I really dont think they can pull up your records like that. To do that, they have to go through a lot and the proccess for the background check results take time. Why would they single you out like that unless they had suspicion? Also, a simple background check like the ones that employers do only scans for charges. While it seems you will be charged and even if you are let go with community service it will still count as a charge on your record. But until that day that you go to a judge and he charges you with shoplifting nothing will be on your record that they the school can see. Police can see everything on your record…even an arrest by mistake or an arrest that did not lead to a charge. But as far as employers go they are not privelous to that. They can only see actual charges. However, some charges are dropped in return for something like community service (as you stated above you may have to do) even if they are valid as a way to say ‘this is a warning dont do it again’. BUT they will not be dropped until you succesfully complete the requirements. Until then, anyone can do a background check and see what it is you have done.</p>
<p>So once you are charged, if a school did a background check, yes they can see it. Will they revoke your admission for stealing a $10 pair of sunglasses? Probably not. Are they likely to even do a background check? Probably not. If they by very slim chance do find out about what has happened the school will ask you to explain yourself. They will want to see that you are sorry and will not do it again. Ask your lawyer about what to say. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>You are fine! You do not need to inform your college. Get a lawyer and learn an important life lesson!</p>