Impact of an Arrest or Conviction on a Graduate School Application in Austin, Texas
When a person is arrested, a record of the arrest can linger in an electronic database forever. Even if the arrested person was never charged or convicted, the record of the arrest remains.
Old arrest records can sometimes derail employment opportunities, but in certain instances, Texas law allows for the sealing or expunction of criminal records. Anyone arrested or charged but not convicted should seek to seal or expunge their record and remove the record from public view.
Any person applying to graduate school or professional school (including law school, medical school, or nursing school) will probably be confronted with questions about disclosure of any past brushes with the law. Concerns will include what should be disclosed, what may be legally withheld from disclosure, and the consequences of withholding criminal information that is later discovered.
Anyone who has ever been arrested, charged, convicted, or is currently facing charges in Texas would be wise to consult with an experienced criminal law attorney if he or she is also currently applying to a graduate or professional school.
A qualified lawyer can help determine what must be and what need not be disclosed on a graduate or professional school application, as well as the impact of any prior criminal history.
If you reside in Austin, Pflugerville, Lakeway, or the surrounding areas of Travis County, Texas, you need an experienced lawyer to explain the legal ramifications of your graduate or professional school application disclosures and help you learn how to proceed.
Austin Lawyer for Grad School Applicants with Criminal Records
The Law Office of Kevin Bennett is equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to assist you. Kevin Bennett is a dedicated criminal defense attorney in Travis County who can advise you of your options, as well as seek legal remedies such as the sealing or expunction of records so that you may present yourself as favorably as legally possible on your application.
The Law Office of Kevin Bennett will always uphold the most positive interests of its clients. When representing you, Kevin Bennett believes in being completely transparent so that you are aware of every single detail pertaining to your situation.
Our Austin attorney is committed to providing the highest degree of personal attention, which is why he limits the number of cases he handles. Call The Law Office of Kevin Bennett today at (512) 476-4626 to set up a free, confidential consultation.
Overview of Arrests and Conviction Effects for Travis County Grad School Applicants
- How should grad school applicants handle questions about criminal backgrounds?
- Do graduate schools perform background checks?
- Where can I learn more about graduate school issues?
Confronting Questions about Disclosure of Criminal Information on a Graduate School Application in Texas
The process of landing a slot in a graduate or professional school is fiercely competitive and highly selective. Graduate and professional programs seek not only the best academic minds but also the highest character in choosing their students.
Full candor is required on a graduate or professional school application. Lying or withholding criminal information on a graduate or professional school application could doom the applicant even more than the original crime, even if the initial infraction was minor or it occurred a long time ago.
Answering a disclosure question on a graduate or professional school application requires a careful reading of the question as well as a properly measured response. Some schools include an opportunity for an optional essay to address any personal weaknesses or flaws, while others specifically ask about past arrests and/or convictions.
Background Checks and Consequences of Withholding Criminal Information on a Graduate School Application in Travis County
It is important to remember that graduate schools perform background checks of varying complexity, but dishonesty on the application is never smart and could lead to a rejection of the application despite all of the positive attributes of the candidate.
An experienced criminal law attorney may be able to help craft an explanation of a past crime that minimizes the damage or severity of the incident. Better yet, if an arrest resulted in no conviction, the lawyer may be able to petition a court to seal or expunge a record, which could legally mean that a crime never occurred and need not be disclosed.
Even if a graduate or professional school admits a person who failed to disclose criminal information on an application, the non-disclosure could become known later on. This could result in penalties imposed by the school, up to and including expulsion, or in extreme cases, rescinding a degree after graduation.
Aspiring professionals should also realize that admission to the state bar, medical board or nursing association usually triggers a new background check, which could include criminal information that existed all along, but was previously overlooked. In an extreme case, a person who passed the required bar or physician’s exam but withheld personal criminal information could be denied a law or medical license.
Texas Resources for Grad School Applicants with Criminal Records
Tips for Medical School Applicants with Criminal Records — This 2012 article from U.S. News and World Report contains information about what to do for medical school applicants with criminal records.
Find an Attorney for Advice about Disclosure of Criminal Information on a Graduate School Application in Austin, TX
If you are applying to graduate school, law school, medical school, nursing school or any other post-graduate professional school , it is vitally important that you present yourself as favorably as possible on the application while being completely honest about your past. This can be difficult if you were arrested or convicted in the past, or are currently facing criminal charges.
Depending on your situation, you may not be legally obligated to disclose certain past legal issues, but you should contact a qualified criminal defense attorney right away to schedule a consultation to discuss the details of your situation.
The Law Office of Kevin Bennett represents clients all over Travis County, including Austin, Lago Vista, Sunset Valley, and many other communities. Kevin Bennett is an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you present yourself as well as possible on your application. He will thoroughly review the facts surrounding your case, and use his knowledge of Texas criminal legal procedure to obtain a favorable outcome.
Call The Law Office of Kevin Bennett today at (512) 476-4626 if are applying to graduate or professional school and you have any kind of criminal record. Your initial consultation is free, and it will begin the process of helping you reach your educational and professional goals.
