Law School Discussion

The other day I was accused of committing a misdemeanor.  I was told the fine was a only about $100.  I plan on fighting it because I think I have a good shot at beating it.  However, just in case I do not...

I had already sent in all my apps before the incident occured, should I wait until the schools have responded and I have made my decision where I am going to update my file, or should I send updates to all the schools before their decision is made and risk influencing their decision?

How much will having a recent (minor) misdemeanor influence a schools decision.  I feel that it probably won't hurt me at my safety schools but could be very damaging to me at my target schools. 

The other day I was out duck hunting when some jackass said he saw my brother and I shooting at swans.  He called the fish cop, who after observing us for a while and seeing that indeed we were not shooting at swans wrote us a ticket.  He said that even though he didn't see anything someone was willing to testify against us, so he wrote us a ticket for hunting swans without a permit, a class B misdemeanor, usually about a$100 fine.  There is absolutely no evidence except some dudes word.  Also, we know some people that were in the area that were actually closer to us than the accusser. They will be able to testify that we were not shooting at swans. I don't see how this could possibly hold up in court. 

next time, shoot the jackass

if it were me, I'd fight it just to keep it off my record so some future employer doesn't think I'm some card carrying NRA happy killer who likes to shoot geese and torture puppies

I wouldn't be too concerned about it either way. If I were you, I'd either fight hard or plea out to an infraction/violation; just do everything possible to avoid the conviction. It sounds like a circumstance where if you're willing to hire an attorney, the question would quickly be resolved in court--with the evidence as you describe, I can't see a local court finding it necessary to spend the time and resources to actually contest a case.

I don't think you need to rush to notify your other schools, especially as it sounds like the situation really is in flux. If you do decide to fight it and don't work it out with the Court, then I'd probably suggest writing a pretty detailed account of your version of the facts; emphasize that it was your decision to contest the case, as you're confident as to your innocence.

My best advice, though, is plead out if you can. I had a whole debacle when I was a senior in high school, two misdemeanor charges, but it ended up getting knocked down to an infraction, and it's been a total non-issue.

Good luck man and sorry that cop decided to hassle ya.