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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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Can you give more details about the charges?

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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?

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

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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.

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Thanks everyone for the replies. This was very helpful.

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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?

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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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The way I see it. If the case was dismissed then you have already been judged by the people responsible for said judgement. No need for others to be able to judge you as well by explaining the whole story. Writing an explanation is charges filed, charges dismissed. I mean they can see that on your record. Thats why they are asking. Plain and simple they want to know as a nurse you are a compassionate person and committed to patients safety. So let your letter reflect that. you can write whatever you want. Me personally I have not had any issues when I simply just tell them I don't recall the particular accounts at the moment as they were a long time ago and have moved forward from that part of my life. Committed to my duties as a nurse. 

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