[kila33]

I have an embarrassing but important question. I am 33 now and was arrested when I was 17 and plead no contest to a marijuana charge . The record is sealed now but will come up on a records check . Does anyone know if this will exclude me from adopting? I posted this on the Ukrainian site because this is where I want to adopt from but I thought I might get some help up here also. I have been able to be cleared as a teacher and other jobs working with kids but I did not know if I was automatically excluded. I never have been in trouble again but I made a stupid mistake. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[bekalynn]

If you haven't picked an agency yet, ask some of the ones you've maybe contacted for information. Or if you haven't gotten that far yet, contact some agencies and ask around!

I can't speak for myself personally, but I think that mild charges like yours are often worked with. That is atleast the impression I've gotten from paperwork I've done so far!

[DixieDoodle]

If you were only 17, did this go on your juvenile record? Once a record is sealed, the only way someone can get information on this is with a court order. I would call an attorney to make sure that this would be on your record.
Good Luck!!

[BrandyHagz]

Once a record is sealed, the only way someone can get information on this is with a court order.

No no...not true. Even sealed records come up on an FBI Check...if you were an adult. If they were sealed because you are a minor, then that may be different. Either way, its best to disclose this info to your HS worker in case it does come up.

[darnspacemonkey]

For minor offence espicially old one it is usually OK- be sure to be honest. in a chack EVERYTHING comes out- but like one of the agencies info meeting we went to said- "unless you are convicted of shild abuse" you shouldn't be disqualified. Alot of times you do have to write an I"m sorry and have learned my lesson note. There are several threads on the China board about this. Don't worry- take a deep breath- it will be OK.
Mary

[Sean&Shan]

We are adopting from China and our agency sent us paperwork stating that we could have no criminal history whatsoever (even small violations or things in the past which had previously been allowed). According to them, this was via the country, not their own policies. That said, there are numerous posts that contradict that information. As other posters have suggested, I think that this is something you need to ask you agency about right away. I hope you get the answers you are looking for

[mollymay]

Originally Posted by kila33

I have an embarrassing but important question. I am 33 now and was arrested when I was 17 and plead no contest to a marijuana charge . The record is sealed now but will come up on a records check . Does anyone know if this will exclude me from adopting? I posted this on the Ukrainian site because this is where I want to adopt from but I thought I might get some help up here also. I have been able to be cleared as a teacher and other jobs working with kids but I did not know if I was automatically excluded. I never have been in trouble again but I made a stupid mistake. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Hello,
I have the same concern about some stunts my husband pulled 20 yrs ago.
I guess we just have to call an agency and ask.
I really don;t want to pay the app fee and all the paperwork if they're going to turn us down.

[piadopt]

Hi,
We've just started the process and are also worried about a similar situation. I told my placing agency, Wide Horizons, about it. I was told that it would not stop approval at the state level, nor did she think it would it affect approval from the country board (Philippines ICAB). BUT it may affect the wait because it will be a matter of how comfortable the orphanages in our country (Philippines) will be in releasing a child to that "situation". Whether it's really a "situation" or not will depend on how the orphanages perceive the seriousness of the event.

I was told to frame the situation as positively as possible - talking about it as a learning experience and definitely saying that you absolutely do not do whatever it is anymore! While it's important to make it as plain as simple, it's also important to show that you've taken responsibility and have made the necessary changes.

Oh, and try to frame the situation as though you weren't doing whatever it was as some form of psychological escape from life (i.e., drinking alone cuz it was a tough time) -- anything that would look like an addictive behavior.

HOWEVER, Wide Horizons (based in Mass) is not the one doing our home study...For our homestudy, we went with Gods Families Intl. because they're in the same state as we are in (California). I am supposed to hear from them tomorrow...

Good luck to all of us. I'll post again when we get results.

[piadopt]

Sorry, forgot to say something else.

We really wanted to apply and felt that $200 was worth the risk - whether we were approved or not. HOWEVER, if I could do it again, I would just call the agency (like I did with the placing agency but NOT the homestudy agency -- DUH!) and tell them the situation. I admit that I was too scared to actually call the homestudy agency. But I think - if the agency is absolutely against something, they'll tell you over the phone. Otherwise, the more likely answer is "we'll weigh it in with other factors"??? I don't know...this is just my guess.

And again, we haven't yet been approved so I might just be misleading all of us. Sorry!

So anyhow, I just left a voicemail for the agency director cuz I've finally gotten up the nerve after reading these posts...