Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

Misdemeanor or Just Discipline?

I was at a private apartment complex, became sick, and vomited outside. An apartment security guard gave me a ticket for ''vomiting in a common area.'' I paid the fine to the apartment complex, police were never contacted, and there obviously was no court date. Soon I will have to fill out a medical school application that will ask if I have ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor. Does my ticket constitute a misdemeanor?

I just wanted to know if I need to put this incident down on my medical school application, because I don't want to if I don't need to. Would there be any phrasing of the application question where I would have to include this incident?

I'm not even sure if ''vomiting in a common area'' is a crime under public law, but I was wondering what I should do, legally speaking. I would really appreciate an answer. Thank you!


Asked on 4/26/08, 10:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: Misdemeanor or Just Discipline?

You can view the record of any legal proceedings against you on the Iowa Courts Online website at http://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TrialSimpFrame. You can also go to the department of justice in Des Moines and obtain a copy of your criminal record in Iowa if any. It does not sound to me like you were issued a city or state summons, but it's best to check the resources I mentioned. If there is no record there you can safely conclude that it was a private matter and that you can answer "no" to the question.

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Answered on 4/27/08, 2:19 pm


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