BON asking for certified court documents

Published

  1. Will I get my licence?

    • 4
      Yes
    • 4
      No

8 members have participated

I need some help, or reassurance! I passed my NCLEX in Illinois on December 9th. I received my nursing license application about one week later and quickly submitted it with my payment. Well, this past Friday I received a letter in the mail stating that I am *Prohibited from Practicing* and that in order to process my application they needed certified court documents from five circumstances that occurred when I was 18. This is well over 12 years ago. Four of the charges occurred on the same day and were a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My ex boyfriend had me drive him somewhere to sell cannabis. Long story short, because I drove him there without knowing what was going on, I too was charged with delivering cannabis, and on top of that contributing to the delinquency of a minor (both of those charges were dropped against me and read (Nolle Pros) next to the outcome. Aside from that, my stupid ex again hid 2.5 grams or less (as written on the court document) in MY car so when it was searched it was found and labeled as mine. I was advised to plead guilty to that because my ex (the jerk that he was) wasn't taking the blame for it and I couldn't prove it otherwise. I received community service and court supervision and that was all. Then during that same event, while I was in the police station I stupidly scratched the wall in cell they had me in and then was charged with defacement of property less that $300.00. I regret doing that and regret having been caught up with my ex and his horrible ways. For that I had community service and supervision. All was completed and there were no further issues.

The last, I was caught in retail theft (stupid teenage years). With that, I was arrested then at court assigned to 24 hours of community service. Stupidly, I didn't complete the community service and when I returned to court the judge literally sent me to jail. My concern with this is that, I was never actually "incarcerated", but was in the holding area of the jail for less than 15 hours until I paid the bail amount. I was in and out the same day and wasn't even in the general population. When I went to get the court documents I asked if I needed "incarceration" documents as well from that 15 hours, but they assured me that the court document that they gave me will be fine. The record given to me doesn't' even say that I was sent to the jail holding cell. It only says "bail 10,000" then says return to court in seven days. I'm concerned because the letter from the BON says to submit incarceration records as well, but technically- I wasn't incarcerated. I never have been. That being said,

I submitted all of the required documents along with my lengthy statement of the events and had is express mailed to the BON.

Has anyone had a similar situation such as this? What was your outcome? I have an interview this week for my DREAM job and this literally has me depressed and is all I can think about. Also, if you have- how long did it take to get your license? This is seriously ruining my life! The stupid mistakes that come back to haunt you... urg!

Thank you so much for reading my lengthy post, but I'm so upset over this! I am no longer the person I was when these happened close to 12 years ago!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

I am not in the same state as you but I can tell you what my experience was. I have a few misdemeanors on my record and was able to be licensed in MA and NH after going through similar steps (court documents, explanations, hearing in front of the board, etc). What they are mostly looking for is accepting responsibility for your actions and why it is unlikely to happen again in the future. Since your mistakes were so long ago and they were minor, it seems you would have a good chance in becoming licensed without restrictions. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I've never experienced this situation so I can't really offer advice, just want to say good luck! It must be nerve wracking for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What did you write on your application when you submitted it? Yes or no for ever being convicted for offenses? Im kind of in the same situation. I sent in my application last month with my explanation, court docs for a misdemeanor 11 years ago and also sent them a copy of my expungement doc. I got my ATT last thursday but then yesterday i got a letter asking for certified docs. It says if i sent them already to disregard their letter. The envelope looks like the testing center sent it out the same day i got my ATT. I got approved for my ATT in the afternoon and am wondering id they sent that letter iur before realizing i already sent my documents. My case was expunged so in order to get certified copies (copies in an envelope from the cohrthouse), id have to stand before a judge. That would suck. I marked yes on my application about ever being convicted, or whatever they asked because i have nothing to hide from the BON. I also sent everything. Do u think they sent me that letter before they sent my ATT? Im going to call them tho too just to clarify.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I checked "no" because I figured with the three times I had a background check and fingerprinting for school; nobody told me there were any issues. I got the certified copies the BON was asking for; at least I hope it's what they're asking for. I showed the letter to the Circuit Court Clerk person and they gave me whatever printout and stamped/certified the documents. I had to pay $24.00 for four pages (just ridiculous).

I would double check that you'd have to go in front of a judge to get the certified copies. I had to go to two different counties and had everything I needed in less than 3 hours. I just went to the Circuit Court Clerk, showed them the letter from the BON and they gave me what I needed.

I took my NCLEX and everything along with background checks, you'd think the BON or someone would say "hey! You have a few misdemeanors on your record, don't forget to get the records to submit with your application".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey guys, I am waiting on my ATT. I had a misdemeanor theft case (Shoplifting) when I was 17, it was dismissed & expunged. My attorney sent court documents and personal statement 12/16, it was on my file 12/23, & sent to the enforcement department 1/9. I'm trying to remain stress free and trying to study.. I start a residency on 2/23 & praying to God above I can test in time!

After researching extensively on this site.. It seems it's on a case by case basis.. So your theft charge may be cleared faster than your other charges. They don't seem to take drug related and alcohol charges lightly. You will get a license but it's a long process and may require proof of sobriety and various documents. I hope everything works out for you. It sucks that our pasts are haunting our future. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh okay gotcha. I think you will be fine after they recieve your documents.

Im hoping they sent that letter to me by mistake because its dated the same day i got my ATT (and im in IL too). However, i got my ATT late in the afternoon. I sent all the docs with my application. The courthouse doesnt have my file anymore because my case was expunged in 2010. So getting certified documents in an envelope from the courthouse is kind of impossible. I have copies of orginal coury docs with the stamp and judges signature. That is what i sent. Hoping that letter was a mistake since I already got my ATT. Let me know how everything turns out for you. Wishing u the best of luck. I think u will be ok.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So what ended up happening? Any updates?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would like to know of any updates as well. I'm still waiting for my ATT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

almostrn#12 did you ever get your license?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Would like to know of any updates as well. I'm still waiting for my ATT.

I ended up getting my ATT 3 weeks after sending my application. I passed nclex on the first try and now waiting for my license. Did you take your NCLEX and get your license?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I checked "no" because I figured with the three times I had a background check and fingerprinting for school; nobody told me there were any issues. I got the certified copies the BON was asking for; at least I hope it's what they're asking for. I showed the letter to the Circuit Court Clerk person and they gave me whatever printout and stamped/certified the documents. I had to pay $24.00 for four pages (just ridiculous).

Did they send you your license almostrn#12? Also if they did, how long did it take after you sent all your docs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion