I answered "yes" to criminal history for reckless driving

[Desertrainfury]

Hello,

I just filled out my application to take the examination for PN and I'm freaking out. Under criminal history I answered "yes" to the question "Have you ever been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest to, a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense?"

October 2008 I was driving to school. The road I was traveling merges into one lane. The car behind me speed up at the very last moment and cut in front of me. I had to slam on my breaks and naturally I honked my horn. This person mind you in a beat up blue car keep break checking me then came to a complete stop in the middle of the road, so I passed them. Then proceeded on my way to class. This person started riding my tail so I pulled over to let them pass. I just wanted this to dissolve. This was a time where there were cop impersonators all over the news.

Long story short it was an officer on the way to work. I got a ticket for reckless driving with no explanation. I went down and got his statement. Everything was completely turned around. It makes me upset after all these use thinking about it. I got a lawyer, had it expunged. The judge told my lawyer that many incidences such as mine came up with this particular officer. I did some research and the same officer "resigned" because of suspicious falsifying documents/ illegal entry.

I didn't know if I answered the question right but I didn't want to look like I was hiding anything. I only have the expunged papers for documentation and I don't even know how to go about the self explanation.. Help!

This event has already traumatized me , I don't want it to get in the way of something I love doing.

[jtmarcy12, BSN, RN]

If the judge expunged your records, your records are history, no need to check "yes" to that question check "no". Best wishes to you..

[liberated847]

When asked tell them you made a mistake and should have answered no, then explain.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Your BON can still discover your hx, so answering yes was the right thing to do. I seriously doubt it will make a difference in your licensure, but you did do the right thing.

Good luck and try not to dwell on this and worry about it. I sincerely think all will work out for the best for you.

[LordFarquad]

Your story reminds me of myself a year an a half ago... Its funny, but I too was charged with reckless driving for burning out right in front of a police officer (no, I didn't know he was there). I was arrested, charged with reckless driving, got a lawyer, went to court, had the charge dismissed, then plead guilty to infraction (violation of basic speed law).

When I submitted my app to the BRN is didn't select YES per se but I DID disclose all information including: personal statement regarding incident (accepting responsibility and not blaming the officer), official arrest record, official court documents, and a few letters of reference. You will be fine because this matter does not qualify as defect in character or actions that would make you unsafe or unfit to become a nurse. Just be upfront with the BRN, select YES, and tell them in writing along with your application what actually happened (omitting the wrongful doing of the officer).

Personally, you did the right thing by answering YES (only if you were actually convicted of the misdemeanor crime, then later had it expunged, right?). Were you arrested? If you were fingerprinted, then any background check (CII) FBI/DOJ will show your arrest and conviction. Just because you had something expunged does not mean you won't have a criminal record. The only way to remove the arrest from the record is if you were "factually" innocent (in California). However, not to worry because I have heard of people with far worse offenses like possession of narcotic go on to be approved by CA BRN for example.

With this said, GOOD LUCK to you on your career. You will be fine and will gain licensure. :)