Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California
I am currently in nursing school. In my early 20s, I pled no contest to a computer-related crime that I actually didn't commit (the accusation was made by an ex boyfriend and I simply didn't want to deal with him in court or pay for a trial). My attorney assured me the case would ultimately be dismissed, so I thought it would never pose a problem for me and wanted to get past it as quickly as possible. Well, years later something is showing up on my live scan and I'm not sure how to deal with it. The case number, crime, or disposition is not on the live scan report. The only thing I see on the report looks like this:
ARR/DET/CITE: 20060523 CAPR LA WF ALHAMBRA
CNT: 001
BOOK / RELEASE
DNA PALM COLLECT: NO ARREST
ARR BY: CARA OTHER LOS ANGELES CO
ADR: 20060523
COM: PHOTO AVAILABLE
I believe this is in relation to being fingerprinted at some point while completing probation. After I completed probation, the case was reduced to a misdemeanor and dismissed under 1203.4. So, based on my live scan, I'm not sure what I should say if asked a direct question about my case. I know that I am legally obligated to disclose information about the case to the state licensing agency, but what about employers or clinical sites? And how much should I disclose? Do I have to explain everything or simply that it was dismissed? I am really hoping to avoid the embarrassment or judgment which seems inevitable with full disclosure of the charges and disposition.
Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
You must disclose the conviction by saying yes, conviction dismissed.