<p>I was found guilty of a crime when I was a minor. This occurred in another country. I now attend college in the United States. They asked questions relating to criminal records on the application, but given the wording, I was told I was not required to list juvenile offenses. The college does a background check on all students, and they even ran a search on me in my previous country of residence. No record or anything, all clear.</p>
<p>At the beginning of this semester, I was served with a civil lawsuit stemming from that incident (extremely large lawsuit). This devastated me and my academic performance has been very poor this semester.</p>
<p>My adviser saw my grades and asked if something has been wrong. I did say there has been some stress in my life, without going into detail, and she mentioned there is an appeal process where I can have my courses dropped even this late in the semester.</p>
<p>My only concern is how this process usually works (I realize it may be different from school to school). I would likely have to detail what exactly has happened, and I feel like that could turn into a mess…</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Thank you and God bless.</p>
<p>The appeals process absolutely is different at each school. You’ll have to check at yours. And I think it will turn into a mess. It’s hard to believe a juvenile offense can give rise to a juvenile being sued, but that may just be in the US.</p>
<p>You’ll be at the mercy of the school. But I sense that your problems go much deeper than class. You were given the gift of rebooting your lfe. Why didn’t you take advantage of it.</p>
<p>The criminal offense and the civil lawsuit are two separate matters that happen to stem from the same event. The lawsuit could have happened without the conviction as a minor. Most applications that ask about criminal offenses indicate that you would not in fact list this offense if it was sealed (which it sounds like it was).</p>
<p>From the Common App:</p>
<p>Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? *Note that you are not required to answer “yes” to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential. *</p>
<p>Thus you did nothing wrong by not mentioning this event, and should not be in any trouble over this. Go ahead and appeal to have the course dropped - you were under stress because of lawsuit, not because you purposefully lied on your application.</p>
<p>You were given the gift of rebooting your lfe. Why didn’t you take advantage of it.</p>
<p>I fail to see what she could have done differently.
She committed a crime as a minor in another country. Im assuming that she made restitution otherwise how would she have been able to attend college as an adult in the US?
Unbeknownst to her, she was then recently served with a civil lawsuit relating to the previous charge, which was so stunning that it disrupted her studies.</p>
<p>What she could have done differently except pretend that she wasnt being sued for a lot of money, & not let it affect her grades?</p>
<p>“What she could have done differently except pretend that she wasnt being sued for a lot of money, & not let it affect her grades?” - You do understand after all. </p>
<p>BTW-Why would a civil lawsuit be so stunning? A civil suit is likely only about money and is not enforceable until a legal judgment is rendered. The lawsuit could go on for years. For the OP to neglect studies and blame it on the civil suit seems convenient (my opinion).</p>
<p>I understand that some people would be able to ignore a huge lawsuit hanging over their head, but for a young adult, who may not have access to an attorney, or to funds to pay the court case, it obviously is very anxiety making.</p>
<p>Its not unusual for young people to underestimate just how stressful outside forces can be.</p>
<p>A few years ago, my mother was in and out of the hospital across the lake, at the same time I was in school. It was an enormous stress and I couldn’t concentrate or get any rest.
I met with my counselor at the school and my psychiatrist who helped me to craft a letter requesting that I be able to drop my classes as it was after the drop date, but since the crisis was ongoing, I didn’t forsee being able to catch up.
I sent my profs an email telling them what was happening, but I had to wait for the dean of students to make the decision.
I expected that my request would be honored and I spent my time taking care of my mother & trying to get some rest myself.
My mother died suddenly & the dean didn’t grant my request without explantation.
So I guess I really blew it didnt I?</p>
<p>EK4: My sympathies but you’re confusing the actions of someone who has committed a crime and dealing with the financial repercussions to an innocent who had to deal with the death of a parent. In my opinion, a big, big difference. Also I’m surprised and saddened that you didn’t get your drops. That does seems unfair.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice everyone. sosomenza, I do see what you’re saying, but please keep in mind that I was a child when this happened. It has been several years since, I learned from the incident, and simply want to move on with my life. I already dealt with the consequences, so I had thought at least.</p>
<p>Good luck and all, but why is this in the parents forum?</p>
<p>^^^^^ Because students frequently ask questions to the parents forum to get an adult point of view on a problem.</p>