Underage drinking citation… was I “convicted”?
Question by Mary Cake. 
: Underage drinking citation… was I “convicted”? I am 17 and received an underage drinking citation in September 2011 and had a mandatory court date in November. This was my first offense. When I went to court, I did not plead guilty or innocent and I didn’t get a lawyer. I simply asked for community service and received 30 hours; no fines (not even court costs) or anything. When I turn in my hours on January 31st, the charge will be dismissed.
I’m filling out a college application and it is inquiring about criminal charges. It asks:
“Have you been convicted of a crime?”
“Have you entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere, or an Alford plea, or have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued, to a criminal charge?”
and, “Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime?”
I have no idea how to answer these under my circumstances. Someone please help.
There is no need to question whether I am “college material.” That has nothing to do with what I asked. Best answer:
Answer by Altair Ibn La Ahad
Just explain that you was convicting of a misdemeanor and was sentenced to community service and after serving your sentence it was dismissed from your record.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Both the: “…have you received a deferred prosecution…”
and the “…Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime…”
should be answered yes if you’re being truthful.
- Stuart
Mary Cake, we were not there. You were.
Do you really think you are college material?
No you weren’t convicted however I would divulge the information on my application if I were you. It would show you have responsibility for your actions. If you didn’t divulge and it was discovered you could be kicked out of college and lose any scholarships or financial aid you have.
You have not been convicted of anything.
for that your best thing to do is call the college u r applying for and tell them what happend and ask if u put that down or not most likly it isnt gonna hurt ur chances of getting in i no people that just got out of prison that are going to college with no problem goodluck
Well, pleading no contest is still admitting to the crime. (Which is what you did when you asked for community service.) And yes, you did accept responsibility by doing the service. The thing is, when you turn 18, your record will be sealed and anything else you do after, you will be charged as an adult.
I would say yes to the question. Normally they have a section that asks to explain any circumstances related to the offense. Also, at the bottom, when you sign the application there is a statement that reads: “I have answered all questions truthfully and to the best of my knowledge.” If you omit anything and then sign, you could face serious consequences with the school and your financial aid.
Dear Mary Cake:
Please consider the Cow for best answer. You are asking other people about what happened to you. Other people are not magic. You were there. We were not.
Excuse us if we think this is evidence of extreme stupidity on your part. If you do not know what happened to you in court, you might want to call the court. We just don’t know.
Lovee,
Moi