<p>At the age of 17, I was arrested for burglary for shopping at a department store. The police were brought in and I was taken to the police station and was booked and have been stuck with this criminal record. I paid a fine and was scheduled to go to court. However, my case was closed and I did not have to appear in court. Therefore, I was not convicted of anything. So with college applications rolling around the corner, I was wondering how I should answer the criminal background question when it states, "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Technically, I was not convicted; just arrested. So would it be safe for me to answer "no" on the college application? And I was also wondering if this juvenile record would be held against me when I'm applying to colleges. I really really want to get into a state university in California.. and I'm not really sure if that's possible anymore. </p>
<p>Also, I was planning on sealing my arrest record when I turn 18.</p>
<p>If you weren’t ever convicted, then no, you don’t have to put down that you were convicted of a crime. That’s part of the reason WHY you ended up not appearing in court, most likely.</p>
<p>Sometimes applications ask if applicants have ever been convicted, and others might ask if applicants have been arrested. It seems very, very important for you to talk to a lawyer who knows how juvenile cases are handled in your area to understand your situation fully and to see if your record can be expunged.</p>
<p>^I agree with above posters, and second Nester’s suggestion of the lawyer. Not only might a lawyer’s efforts make the OP’s question moot, but it is also good practice for maintaining one’s good name and reputation during adulthood. (Compromising a college application or two is NOTHING compared to compromising career and family.)</p>
<p>Review your paperwork for “I paid a fine” and the “case was closed.”
That is not the same thing as having the charges dropped, and there is more here than just an arrest.</p>
<p>If you paid a fine you were convicted of SOMETHING, maybe a crime, maybe an offense, maybe a violation. Did you pay a fine or post BAIL? </p>
<p>“I was arrested for burglary for SHOPPING at a department store”? That’s just ludicrous on so many levels. Tell us the truth or tell a lawyer and you’ll get a better answer.</p>
<p>Go to the court with identification. Go to the clerk’s office and show them your ID and get a “certificate of disposition” for your case. That will provide you with a more definitive answer.</p>
<p>Please do not rely on the legal opinions of well-meaning internet helpers; GO SEE A LAWYER! With respect to “innocent till proven guilty,” think about criminal defendants who make plea bargains – they aren’t proven guilty in a court of law but they still have a record, and sometimes a very serious record. The same thing could hold true for people who pay fines for various offenses. Perhaps paying the fine was the penalty for the offense. Who knows? A lawyer who handles juvenile crime in your county will know for sure, and will be able to help you.</p>
<p>i think that you should just let colleges know. i’d imagine that it’d be better for you to tell them than for them to find out. however, i don’t think you’ll be found out if you say no.</p>
<p>IMHO, Indiana University goes too far in its application question regarding criminal history. If answered completely truthfully and taken to the point of absurdity, an applicant would have to describe every time he or she accidentally broke something or injured someone while playing sports or frightened someone or hurt someone’s feelings as well as incidents of vandalism that may or may not have resulted in a confidential juvenile record. Also, there does not seem to be a choice of “I choose not to incriminate myself.” Answering the question is required.</p>
<p>“Criminal Activity Disclosure (application item 23; required)
We are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment. As such, we require
applicants who have been charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, or who have engaged in behavior that resulted in mental or physical injury to
person(s) or personal property, to disclose this information. A previous conviction
does not automatically bar admission. If you answer yes to item 23, attach a brief
explanation describing the incident(s), including the location(s) and date(s) of the
charge(s) or conviction(s), your status at the time of release, and the court deposition(s)
(in English). In your own words, provide a description of the impact the incident(s)
had on you. The explanation must also grant IU complete permission to access your
criminal record. Additional information may be requested and additional time required
for review.”</p>
<p>I would be interested in knowing what others think of this question.</p>
<p>The title of the section is “criminal activity disclosure.” It is not reasonable to characterize hurting someone’s feelings or accidental actions as criminal activity.</p>