Police "violation"

HiMyNameisNick

5-Year Member
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Jan 27, 2010
Messages
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So I got in the car with my friend who invited me to his sunday youth group. And he said we were going to go swimming and hang out beforehand.

Well turns out he brought us to a place that was private property. A police officer shows up and writes us all tickets for trespassing...so great there goes my clean record.

The thing is, I didnt even know we were going there, I though we were going to a pool or something. and secondly, Nobody had any idea it was illegal, there was no visible trespassing sign, and my friend said he knows whole families that go there, and people who have gone there since they were kids.

Well turns out that the landowner frequently calls the police because of kids who come to his property to swim. The sheriff said he always puts up signs and kids tear them down, and that he gives kids warnings all the time but they still come back. So he got fed up with it and had to make an example out of someone....that someone happened to be my group of friends and I....

Its all very Ironic because were are the group of people that stay out of trouble...I mean we were on our way to CHURCH!

Its an awful situation for me because Im not the type of person to get in trouble and now I have a "violation" on my record.

So my questions are:

1). I have already submitted my "personal Data Record" and said ive never been arrested....So should I call the Academy and notify them?

2.) The officer said our "violation" was the equivalent of a speeding tickiet...so is it necessary for me to notify the academy even?

3.) Secondly: If I go to court and the judge decides to drop charges, do I still have to call the academy and notify them of my arrest?
 
Notify the academy. You certainly don't want them to find out from someone else. Describe the situation with JUST THE FACTS. Talk to the court or the police and find out if this is a Class III misdemeanor or what.

It's not going to ruin your chances but lying or omitting the truth might.

Best Wishes
 
So I got in the car with my friend who invited me to his sunday youth group. And he said we were going to go swimming and hang out beforehand.

Well turns out he brought us to a place that was private property. A police officer shows up and writes us all tickets for trespassing...so great there goes my clean record.

The thing is, I didnt even know we were going there, I though we were going to a pool or something. and secondly, Nobody had any idea it was illegal, there was no visible trespassing sign, and my friend said he knows whole families that go there, and people who have gone there since they were kids.

Well turns out that the landowner frequently calls the police because of kids who come to his property to swim. The sheriff said he always puts up signs and kids tear them down, and that he gives kids warnings all the time but they still come back. So he got fed up with it and had to make an example out of someone....that someone happened to be my group of friends and I....

Its all very Ironic because were are the group of people that stay out of trouble...I mean we were on our way to CHURCH!

Its an awful situation for me because Im not the type of person to get in trouble and now I have a "violation" on my record.

So my questions are:

1). I have already submitted my "personal Data Record" and said ive never been arrested....So should I call the Academy and notify them?

2.) The officer said our "violation" was the equivalent of a speeding tickiet...so is it necessary for me to notify the academy even?

3.) Secondly: If I go to court and the judge decides to drop charges, do I still have to call the academy and notify them of my arrest?

If it's truly the equivalent of a "speeding ticket", I would verify that it does NOT appear on any search of your criminal record. If it does not - I would dismiss it since the academy is generally not concerned with such minor infractions; certainly nothing that is the equivalent of "speeding ticket."

If you got nailed for going 55 in a 40 - would you feel the need to write a letter to the Admissions Office? No!

If every kid who ever got a "speeding ticket" was required to report it (which I do not think they are), and if that severely jeopardized their chances of admission, then the pool of viable candidates would be dramatically reduced.

My advice - don't make a big deal out of something small.

But then again - that's just my advice. Take it for what you paid for it. :smile:
 
If it's truly the equivalent of a "speeding ticket"
Unless they are hearing tresspassing cases in traffic court these days, which I doubt seriusly, it is not "truly the equivalent of a "speeding ticket"".

Think twice and then think again before deciding not to report it to the Academy.
 
Even speeding tickets should be reported. You should definitely report it. It's always better for you to tell them than withhold and have them question you later.

Some infractions require a "Morals waiver". It's not for you or us to decide what your case is. The morals dq varies by service and it not only depends on the infraction but the number of infractions.
Tell them and then let them tell you it's no big deal. Then you don't have to worry.
 
Make contact with the LT who is assigned to your record and notify them; back it up with an email.
It is far better to be upfront re: infractions then having to explain why you did not disclose <if ever the question was brought up>.
Just remember, if something doesn't feel right your gut instinct is at work. That's when you need to trust your instincts. :thumb:
Don't lose too much sleep over this, you sound like a stellar candidate.
 
Think carefully

I am not an expert...as are (not) the majority of those that comment here. Be careful that these casual observers don't goad you into reporting a minor infraction and make a federal case of it...speak to the police chief or officer and understand how this will be handled by them. It is the police force that will be asked for a background check and if it is minor as you convey don't stir up trouble for nothing. With 19,000 applicants insignificant issues can be poor reasons to side-step a candidate. In particular, I would be unlikely to suscribe to any advisor that includes "mom" in their username...no disrespect intended but we all know how Mom's think.
 
In particular, I would be unlikely to suscribe to any advisor that includes "mom" in their username...no disrespect intended but we all know how Mom's think.
LOL. And what would be your rationale for ignoring advice by someone with 'BGO' in their username?
 
Unless they are hearing tresspassing cases in traffic court these days, which I doubt seriusly, it is not "truly the equivalent of a "speeding ticket"".

Think twice and then think again before deciding not to report it to the Academy.

My thoughts, too - which is why I would check to see if the violation shows up on one's record. Does it "pop" on a records check? Because, if I recall, you DO have to submit a police report to the Academy. Further, the report has to be sent directly from the authorities to the academy. The candidate is not the middleman in the process. Police reports do not typically keep track of "speeding tickets." I don't know what other minor violations would also not appear.

This only comes up once you've already received the appointment, if I recall. It would be a shame to get that far and have it blow up in your face.
 
I am not an expert...as are (not) the majority of those that comment here. Be careful that these casual observers don't goad you into reporting a minor infraction and make a federal case of it...speak to the police chief or officer and understand how this will be handled by them. It is the police force that will be asked for a background check and if it is minor as you convey don't stir up trouble for nothing. With 19,000 applicants insignificant issues can be poor reasons to side-step a candidate. In particular, I would be unlikely to suscribe to any advisor that includes "mom" in their username...no disrespect intended but we all know how Mom's think.
Gee, I don't know.... how do Mom's think? Dad, you are gonna have to explain this one to me.

The reason to follow USNA1982BGO's advice is this will have to be reported anyway when you do your police clearance. Federal Law requires that ALL infractions be reported, including minor one's and including purged records.
Surely you don't recommend a future Naval Officer to consider violating Federal Law do you?

PS - "no disrespect intended" is disrespectful.
 
I also recommend reporting it. If the facts are as you state (and I have no reason to believe they are not), this will NOT jeopardize your chances of admission. However, if you trespass another 5 times before July 1 and get caught drinking while doing so and . . . you get the picture.

As others have said, failing to report this could cause trouble down the road. Even if the offense doesn't show up on your police record check (and that's a big "if"), there are other ways this sort of thing can end up on USNA's "desk."

So, tell them. If this is it, they won't care and you won't lose sleep worrying that they'll find out.
 
The reason to follow USNA1982BGO's advice is this will have to be reported anyway when you do your police clearance. Federal Law requires that ALL infractions be reported, including minor one's and including purged records.
Surely you don't recommend a future Naval Officer to consider violating Federal Law do you?

You may be right. This is why I recommend finding out if a minor trespassing violation would "pop" on a background check. If it does not - then I don't see any point in explaining it to the Naval Academy. In other words, if the authorities do not think it's important enough to mention - I'm sure the Naval Academy would feel the same way.
 
So I got in the car with my friend who invited me to his sunday youth group. And he said we were going to go swimming and hang out beforehand.

Well turns out he brought us to a place that was private property. A police officer shows up and writes us all tickets for trespassing...so great there goes my clean record.

The thing is, I didnt even know we were going there, I though we were going to a pool or something. and secondly, Nobody had any idea it was illegal, there was no visible trespassing sign, and my friend said he knows whole families that go there, and people who have gone there since they were kids.

Well turns out that the landowner frequently calls the police because of kids who come to his property to swim. The sheriff said he always puts up signs and kids tear them down, and that he gives kids warnings all the time but they still come back. So he got fed up with it and had to make an example out of someone....that someone happened to be my group of friends and I....

Its all very Ironic because were are the group of people that stay out of trouble...I mean we were on our way to CHURCH!

Its an awful situation for me because Im not the type of person to get in trouble and now I have a "violation" on my record.

So my questions are:

1). I have already submitted my "personal Data Record" and said ive never been arrested....So should I call the Academy and notify them?

2.) The officer said our "violation" was the equivalent of a speeding tickiet...so is it necessary for me to notify the academy even?

3.) Secondly: If I go to court and the judge decides to drop charges, do I still have to call the academy and notify them of my arrest?

I can read from your post that you are a great guy and one who possesses a conscience (a great character trait lacking in many now a days). You know you were in the wrong and you've accepted the consequences like a man.
Being open and honest should not hurt your chances of being recommended for a appointment. In fact, it shows your strength of character and honesty. The only inconvenience to you may be having to compose a brief write-up explaining the circumstance (in fact, this could possibly be one of your responses to the describe a situation that has made you a better person...) :biggrin:
 
We had a friend w/ a "minor infraction." When he called to check on it, he was told it would not show on a background check "unless it was something like government or military clearance....because they search for everything on your record."
 
thank you for all the input everyone it is clear I should notify the Academy.

But, I still have to go to court and I plan to explain the situation to the Judge and perhaps she will see that I did not mean any trouble.

So my question is:

Should I notify the Academy of the arrest for violation before I go to court?

But even If I do go to court and the judge lets me go...does that still leave an 'arrest' on my file?

And by the way thank you for all the help everyone im so worried. The Naval Academy is my dream and when I heard that officer say he was arresting us my heart just sank.
 
We had a friend w/ a "minor infraction." When he called to check on it, he was told it would not show on a background check "unless it was something like government or military clearance....because they search for everything on your record."

Oh - if that is true - then the course is clear ... 'fess up.
 
I know that for our current Class of '14 CGA Swab, she had to complete an online application to begin her security clearance prior to reporting for Swab Summer.
The depth of questions that were asked was substantial; that is why it is important to be honest.
 
I would go with JAM, Mongo, 1982 and others. You don't know what the police authorities report and you will not see it. A heads up for such a small infraction is better than "why didn't you report this?". I do not think this would ever go before the "Board". I have seen worse get by. You were not arrested you were ticketed for a minor infraction without intent "your defense". Arrested means put in cuffs and booked. Better safe than sorry! Believe me, everything may come up in your security clearance evaluation. I have to stress "YOU WERE NOT ARRESTED" unless he cuffed you, put you in the car, read you your Miranda and transported you for processing. You stated you were ticketed. That is not an arrest although it requires either a court appearance to dispute the charge or admission of guilt when you pay your fine. If it happened as you stated this is a very small speed bump.
 
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I would go with JAM, Mongo, 1982 and others. You don't know what the police authorities report and you will not see it. A heads up for such a small infraction is better than "why didn't you report this?". I do not think this would ever go before the "Board". I have seen worse get by. You were not arrested you were ticketed for a minor infraction without intent "your defense". Arrested means put in cuffs and booked. Better safe than sorry! Believe me, everything may come up in your security clearance evaluation. I have to stress "YOU WERE NOT ARRESTED" unless he cuffed you, put you in the car, read you your Miranda and transported you for processing. You stated you were ticketed. That is not an arrest although it requires either a court appearance to dispute the charge or admission of guilt when you pay your fine. If it happened as you stated this is a very small speed bump.


thank you for clearing that "arrest" term up
 
Thanks for posting this question, Nick, because I wondering myself!

I got two speeding tickets. One was dismissed completely in court, so nothing was paid and nothing was on my record.

The second one I had to pay a fine for and took the points off my license with an online course. Is this one still on my record? The officer that issued me this ticket said my driving record was clear before this one.

Should I report both anyway?
 
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