I was not arrested and only asked to pay a $300 fine. They said I can even come back to the store. It was my first offense. Currently, I have paid it in full. I am applying for nursing school in the spring and was wondering if this would show up.

If you were fined BY THE COURT you have a criminal record. If the STORE asked you to make restitution, you do not. You do not have to be dragged off in handcuffs. A ticket to appear is in lieu of an arrest.

If you are accepted into nursing school you MAY have a problem getting a license when you graduate.

Where is this?

He most likely had his charges dropped for paying the fine. Thus, no criminal record.

BillNi: He most likely had his charges dropped for paying the fine. Thus, no criminal record.

Please post the Statute where you are found guilty in Court, ordered to pay a fine and, by virtue of the fine, the charges are dropped and there is no criminal record.

This is bad legal info/advice, indeed. The Court finds you guilty and fines you... you have a record.

He clearly stated he was not arrested. This looks more like a civil demand letter rather than a charge against him. Thus, no criminal charges.

BillNi: He clearly stated he was not arrested. This looks more like a civil demand letter rather than a charge against him. Thus, no criminal charges.

We don't KNOW any more than what he posted. He said he paid a FINE. A fine can only be imposed by the Court. An appearance ticket is the same as an arrest. Until OP comes back we do not and cannot know exactly what happened. You yourself refer to the payment as a "fine."

There is a different standard on the legal boards. These are not chat boards. We take great pride in our answers, and it is a mistake to read into questions, give information based on what things "look" like.

The OP said "fine" and until he/she corrects that word we are talking about a Court appearance and a criminal record.