Criminal History Check

[treeguy]

I am really dreading posting this....

My schools backround check covers felonys and misdemenors. I got caught once for shop lifting and I never payed the fine. I don't think that they have prosicuted me because I have never recieved word over it. Should I be worried about this or only if I stood before a judge and was convicted???? I don't know. Hope the response is good.

[scoobydoo32, RN]

i am not sure but their can be a possiblity because you never paid the fine. if you can you should try doing your own background check. but i hope not o'm sorry i can't be more helpful

[Soup Turtle]

I would be worried and take steps to try to find out about it and clear it up, if need be. We were warned, in orientation, that the BON's background check may find things that the school's back ground check did not. We were told that people had graduated from the program and been denied the chance to sit for the NCLEX exam because of things that had come up in their background checks. I wouldn't risk going through school without getting it cleared up.

[justme1972]

Call a local private investigator. Explain the situation. Tell them what county/state it's in. They know how to check for you. They may do it for as little as $25.00.

Or, you can call the court yourself and ask.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would definitely follow-up and take care of it. Get the situation resolved and be prepared to explain why you did not take care of it at the time. Many school and employers (and the BON) will "forgive" a mistake if the person takes responsibility for it and rectifies the situation -- but letting it go unresolved is generally less favorably viewed.

This may be a case in which the avoidance of responsibility may be viewed as worse than the orginal crime itself.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I would advise checking with your local board of nursing. Good luck. We can't provide legal advice.