If I was entered into an alternative probation program, amI still considered to be a criminal?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I was entered into an alternative probation program, amI still considered to be a criminal?
I was charged with a battery third degree. When I went to court. I did not plead innocent or guilty. The judge told me to take this class and in a year it would be taken off. I am currently looking for an apartment, will this show up and cause me not to get the apartment?
Asked on March 29, 2011 under Criminal Law, Arkansas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
It sounds as though you were given what is called "diversion" (or AR's equivalent). Diversion means that no plea is officially entered into the record but rather a defendant is sentenced to a special probation. If it is successfully completed, the case is dismissed. Typically, in a case such as that, the defendant's criminal history record is automatically cleared. Nothing will show to the public. However, this doesn't always get done the way to is supposed to and an arrest may still show up.
At this point you should run a criminal background check on yourself to be sure. Contact the Arkansas State Police for further information. The fee is approximately $20 per copy and usually takes 7 to 10 days to process, excluding mail time.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.