Need advice / input r/t criminal charges & license

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Hello,

My story is long and I will try to make it short without leaving out important details.

I've been in an abusive marriage with a narcissist for many years. Lot's of reasons why I was still involved, I guess if you are familiar/educated on domestic violence, you will have some idea.

Last summer I was shopping in Walmart with my husband who is also a life long alcoholic and drug user, while we were shopping I was unaware that he had placed items underneath my purse which at the time was a larger-sized purse and was made of unstructured type material making it easily "moldable" around/over objects. At some point during our shopping he said he had a headache and was going to wait in the car. I finished shopping, paid for my purchases and was stopped at the door as the door greeter saw merchandise sticking out from under my purse, I didn't notice it because of the angle and the way my purse was laying in the seat of the shopping cart.

Long story short, I was arrested for shoplifting. I was booked and released.

I also had ovarian cancer at the time and was due to start chemo in two days.

I became so sick from the chemo I was unable to attend the court date, my adult daughter called and got it rescheduled. I was still far too ill to attend the next and my daughter called the court again.

During the course of my illness, I was very sick and hospitalized many times this past year. The good news is that I am doing much better now.

The bad news is with my illness and complications, my nursing license didn't get renewed at renewal time AND I never made it to court and my husband told me that he had talked to the court when I was sick and got everything dismissed. Why I ever trusted him, I have no idea, I guess I was sick and vulnerable, but STUPID and NAIVE for sure.

I had been saving money here and there to be able to reapply for my nursing license so I could get back to work and finally be self sufficient and be able to leave my husband and divorce him and be out of that nightmare.

Well. Last week the sheriff came and arrested me for failure to show/contempt of court on the shoplifting charges that obviously my husband lied about being dismissed last year.

I was released and have a court date next week to plead. I don't have an attorney due to having no job/money. I guess I will be given a public defender and I'm thinking my chances of the charges sticking are 50/50. Everything is misdemeanor charges. I also have zero criminal record prior to this mess.

In the meantime I have paid for and submitted everything to the BON for license reinstatement. My state background check does show my pending charges.

Does anyone have any experience with this and what will happen with the BON?

If I can't get my license reinstated, I can't work to support myself and leave my abusive marriage and start life over.

Please no judgmental comments, I know how dumb I've been, I have enough embarrassment and shame in this situation.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing with Criminal History forum

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Thank you, I didn't see this forum.

Help, anyone?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello @mustlovedogs and welcome to allnurses.com

The members in this forum are very supportive and will come along to reply to you.

Just wanted to welcome you.

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.

#1 thing to know is that you are NOT stupid and naive.

You were under duress by having a critical diagnosis. I am glad you are feeling better. I do have a feeling that the Board will be willing to work with you for your license renewal.

I wish you the best.

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Thank you.

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