Advice on writing letter of explanation when charges were dismissed & I was innocent.

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Hello everyone. I have to write an explanation of charges to the Georgia Board of Nursing. My charges were dismissed and expunged. I never had to go to court or was prosecuted in this case. I was only arrested. I will include copy of expungement & a letter from the DA office stating my charge was dismissed to the board. My charges where false statements or writings. I don't want to sound like I don't want to take responsibility in my letter, but I actually was innocent. Any advice on writing an explanation when you are actually innocent?

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Nurse Beth, MSN

146 Articles; 3,457 Posts

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Can you give more details about the charges?

Hello everyone. I have to write an explanation of charges to the Georgia Board of Nursing. My charges were dismissed and expunged. I never had to go to court or was prosecuted in this case. I was only arrested. I will include copy of expungement & a letter from the DA office stating my charge was dismissed to the board. My charges where false statements or writings. I don't want to sound like I don't want to take responsibility in my letter, but I actually was innocent. Any advice on writing an explanation when you are actually innocent?

It's a letter of explanation so just explain what happened and why you got arrested.

mudd68

82 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Wounds, Med/Surg, Tele, Triage.

I do have experience with this. Was falsely accused of domestic violence/assault 2006 and the judge dismissed the case. However - fingerprinting will flag you in any employment back ground check regardless of the outcome of the case. So - I did write the BON regarding the accusation & the outcome AND attached a printout from the courts docket website showing the dismissal. The BON sent it to the disciplinary review committee and I received a letter from them that no further investigation by the board was deemed necessary. I keep all of this documentation together and when applying for work - ALWAYS disclose that I may be flagged upon background check but that I have the proof of dismissal from the court AND a letter from the BON.

Thanks everyone for the replies. This was very helpful.

Daniella8724

25 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Department.

I have a similar situation in my past where the charges are dismissed with proof from the courts online docket.

The Florida Board of Nursing requires 3 "Professional" letters of recommendation. I dont feel comfortable asking

the hospital where I work, but do have a good friends in other non-nursing/non-healthcare jobs and other nurses Ive worked with in the past I

could ask. Would it be appropriate to to use those people? Also, do they call/contact the people who wrote the

letters?

Dealing with this exact same situation.  Got a letter that I need to explain a 15-year-old domestic violence charge that was ruled void(quashed) by the court.  Not sure what you say about something that never happened?

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