Deferred MIP

[sallyjohnson123]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I received an MIP, first offense, in September 2007 in Michigan where I attend school. I went through the deferral program successfully and had the MIP charge dropped from my record. I have not gotten one since, and am now 21.

I am currently in the application process for the Peace Corps and have to undergo extensive background checks through the government, CIA, FBI, etc.

Is it possible that this MIP offense could be detected in a criminal background check even though it was deferred by 2008 and I am now 21 and MIP free?

I am worried that this incident will count against me in my application. Will it?

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I received an MIP, first offense, in September 2007 in Michigan where I attend school. I went through the deferral program successfully and had the MIP charge dropped from my record. I have not gotten one since, and am now 21.

I am currently in the application process for the Peace Corps and have to undergo extensive background checks through the government, CIA, FBI, etc.

Is it possible that this MIP offense could be detected in a criminal background check even though it was deferred by 2008 and I am now 21 and MIP free?

I am worried that this incident will count against me in my application. Will it?

Q: Is it possible that this MIP offense could be detected in a criminal background check even though it was deferred by 2008 and I am now 21 and MIP free?

A:Yes, so you be the one to tell them.


Q:I am worried that this incident will count against me in my application. Will it?

A: Ask the Peace Corps.

 

[xylene]

I went through the deferral program successfully and had the MIP charge dropped from my record.

What this means is that you have a clean criminal record. You do not have any priors for the sake of future offenses. It does not mean that you record is blank.

Is it possible that this MIP offense could be detected in a criminal background check even though it was deferred by 2008 and I am now 21 and MIP free?

It will show up on you background check for the peace corps.

At the very least the arrest record will show.

IF you lie, and you would be found out, you are screwed.

I am worried that this incident will count against me in my application. Will it?

Honestly, probably, but it is not an automatic DQ.

Are you hot stuff?

Put another way - if you are borderline peace corps material - this MIP will be the camel's back breaking straw.

or it will be nothing.

 

[sallyjohnson123]

Other than the MIP Charge 2 years ago, my peace corps application is outstanding. However, I have already submitted my application and have answered no to questions asking if I have ever been charged in an alcohol related incident. I thought that the deferral program meant that the charges were dropped and I did not have to mention it to future employers, etc.

Would you recommend I contact my peace corps recruiting officer and explain the situation and give him a heads up? I am sending him my fingerprints and information for my criminal background check tomorrow via postal service mail, so I have time to tell him before he finds out on his own.

What should I say?

I assume I should admit that I misunderstood the questions and did not realize I should have mentioned it in the application?

I need advice!

 

[quincy]

I definitely recommend you contact the Peace Corps recruiting officer and explain the inadvertant error you made on your application. This is a common error, but one that you should be able to correct. An amended application can be submitted.

For an MIP in Michigan that has been discharged and dismissed due to a successful completion of a diversion program, there is generally no need to report the offense on most job or school applications. The dismissal will be treated as if the MIP never occurred. There is no public record of the offense (these are destroyed) and it shouldn't appear on any standard background check (although, on occasion, they do). Only the Secretary of State in Michigan, and law enforcement, will have a (non-public) record of the original MIP.

However, and this is where the confusion arises for most people when filling out an application, if the job or position you are applying for is one that requires an FBI background and fingerprint check (law, medicine, education, government), it becomes vital that ALL arrests (even those that result in no charges), ALL charges (even those that are dismissed) and ALL convictions (even those that are sealed or expunged) be reported honestly. Usually the questions asked will indicate that these need to be disclosed. Especially vital to report are any offenses involving alcohol, drugs or firearms. These WILL appear on an FBI check.

The only offenses that do not need to be reported are traffic offenses that do not involve drugs or alcohol, and those with fines less than $300.

Most minor youthful indiscretions will be overlooked and should not affect your chances of getting into the Peace Corps. The withholding of information (intentional or not) is a far more serious offense and can result in your application being denied.

Again, speak with the recruiting officer. I am sure he has run across this same situation many times before.

Good luck.