A few years ago, I was caught shop lifting at a super center. However, the police were not called/involved and I was never charged with a crime. I had to pay a fine (not legally mandated) and my name remains in the store’s internal records.
I have already put down my seat deposit and did not include anything about this in my application, as I honestly did not remember that it occurred until recently. So my question is, do I need to disclose this to the school? If so, will they rescind my offer of admission?
Thanks for your help, I’m kind of freaking out about this.
Edit: I was 18+, the super center is a national chain, and I had to pay my fee to a law firm. Does this change anything?
You probably don’t technically need to disclose this, but I agree with the generally accepted wisdom that when in doubt, you should always disclose. I don’t think they would rescind your offer.
I was once sent to the principals office for sticking my tongue out at my teacher. I did not disclose that so you probably don’t need to disclose this either.
you got shook down. by paying them, you’re free from dealing with the authorities. this is like reporting you stole $20 from your dad’s wallet when you were 12.
do not listen to this poster. if you stole $20 from your dad’s wallet you should disclose that, too. they will definitely interview your parents during C&F.
You weren’t arrested, didn’t have to go to court, you weren’t convicted or charged with anything, police and the legal system were not involved. You don’t have to disclose anything.
At big chains like that, if you get caught shoplifting they will usually take you in the back and give you the opportunity to pay some amount of money without getting the police involved, and then let you be on your way. This is because it’s cheaper for them to get a quick $200 (or whatever) out of you and let you go than to take you to court and incur legal fees with the chance of them losing and getting nothing.
You paid the money to circumvent the legal system, there is no need to disclose anything on applications.
If the application does not require you to disclose, then you are not required to disclose. You will be (and should be) advised to disclose anyway, because when the bar association sees the discrepancy, you’re going to have to deal with a bunch of extra crap that you could have avoided by oversharing on the application. I haven’t heard from anyone that actually knows what they’re talking about (i.e. those that went through the process) that it was a problem for them to disclose. As someone who submitted a C&F addendum with EVERY application, I’m certainly not throwing stones. So if even I’m feeling a little iffy that you didn’t disclose…I highly recommend you go back to the application and see whether or not you answered the C&F questions truthfully. If you did, then relax.