[sp00k1589]

Hello all,

I’m in the middle of applying for the CPA exam in NJ. My application includes this question:

“Have you ever been arrested, indicted for, or convicted of any crimes or misdemeanors or imprisoned under sentence for any crime or misdemeanor or any other offense?”

While I’ve never been arrested, about a year ago or so, I was fishing out of state (in Pennsylvania) at my father’s lake house. He insisted that a fishing license was not necessary. Low and behold, I got slapped with a ticket for fishing without a license. My dad said he would pay for it. I suppose he forgot about the tickets, because he eventually got a letter from PA for my brother and I, stating that warrants were issued for our arrests due to nonpayment. He then promptly paid off the tickets.

While my heart sank when he told me about the letters, I spoke to a friend’s father who is an attorney in PA. He told me that this wasn’t a big deal at all, and it was akin to forgetting to pay for a parking ticket.

Am I able to answer “no” to this question? My common sense is telling me yes, but I’m a tad paranoid 🙂

In the same vein, would a moving violation (obstructing a roadway- I opened my car door on the side of the road and another car plowed through it) from my high school days require to answer yes here?

Thank you!!

[Scared-cpa]

I think your best course of action on here is to call up your state board and ask them yourself. All of us can say on here what we *think* you should do, but in the end all that matters is what the state board thinks since this is a somewhat subjective matter. I'd hate for you to answer ‘no' to one of these questions and then experience problems down the line when you're trying to get licensed because of being misinformed. I would also hate for you to answer ‘yes' and have to possibly go through extra paperwork just to be told you didn't need to mention it on your form.

So the best course of action is always to call your state board and see what they say. I'm sure they experience questions like this all the time and would be more than happy to help you. Plus it will cause you the least trouble in the long run because you know that what you're putting down is the correct response 🙂

[Author]

Replies