Arrest and Citation

[BSCAR]

How much will having been arrested and then cited for something tangentially related to the reason for the arrest dampen my chances for admission?

I was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to property. The police determined that I was in no way at fault or legally culpable for the criminal damage that had been committed. However, they did give me a citation for a "Health and Safety violation--Use of fireworks in a park or parkway".

Obviously I had to disclose that on my application.

I am otherwise extremely qualified and a very competitive candidate in every respect.

 

[tug_boat]

You should direct this question to your RC.

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[brovol]

I agree. Let the RC know the situation. The RC will ultimately find out anyway, and this way you have the opportunity to address it properly.

It sure seems that there are several of these type issues posted. How hard is it to stay out of any legal trouble these days?

 

[BSCAR]

I agree. Let the RC know the situation. The RC will ultimately find out anyway, and this way you have the opportunity to address it properly.

It sure seems that there are several of these type issues posted. How hard is it to stay out of any legal trouble these days?

I'm an idiot. All 17 year old boys are. The only difference between you and I is you never got caught.

 

[Capt MJ]

I'm an idiot. All 17 year old boys are. The only difference between you and I is you never got caught.

BSCAR - you made me laugh. Your self-awareness is a good step on the path to responsible adulthood. We have all done boneheaded things.

 

[brovol]

I'm an idiot. All 17 year old boys are. The only difference between you and I is you never got caught.

There is some truth to that. I'm sure did a lot of stuff that could have gotten me in trouble enough that if caught and charged might have prohibited me from becoming a lawyer, let alone a judge. The thing is though that I never had the talent and abilities to put myself in a position to compete for a spot at West Point. Most of the kids who are competitive for an appointment to West Point have a character which tends to direct them away from situations where they could be placed in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Occasionally things happen where a kid is truly a victim of circumstances, and I think WP admissions can investigate and identify those, then can put it in proper perspective. So be honest and forthright about it.

As a judge, I give credit to those defendants and respondents in front of me who "own" there mistakes and level of culpability. To me, such candid honesty tells me something about the person, and gives greater confidence that similar incidents are less likely to occur in the future. I suspect that decision makers in the admissions department at WP would agree.

 

[JMC0759]

I'm an idiot. All 17 year old boys are. The only difference between you and I is you never got caught.

Important questions for you.

Were you actually arrested? Meaning were your fingerprints and photo taken or were you merely interviewed? On the citation you were issued - you need to ask the issuing authority if there is a fine and is there a way to dismiss the citation without payment of the fine. That is important because if the citation does involve a fine and you pay it you are effectively pleading guilty. If that is the case you should ask the issuing authority if you can plead no contest. I would ask if you could do some community service to keep it off your record.

 

[BSCAR]

Important questions for you.

Were you actually arrested? Meaning were your fingerprints and photo taken or were you merely interviewed? On the citation you were issued - you need to ask the issuing authority if there is a fine and is there a way to dismiss the citation without payment of the fine. That is important because if the citation does involve a fine and you pay it you are effectively pleading guilty. If that is the case you should ask the issuing authority if you can plead no contest. I would ask if you could do some community service to keep it off your record.

I was arrested, cuffed, booked, and finger printed. The whole shebang. As it was a municipal citation (as it said on my citation) not showing up to court and just paying the fine would result in a plea of "no contest" entered in the court records. I was just glad I wasn't slapped with a misdemeanor.

 

[Brawny77]

I'm an idiot. All 17 year old boys are. The only difference between you and I is you never got caught.

Yep...that about sums it up...good luck kid. You already understand enlisted men and many officers