When I was 14, I got caught stealing a pair of shorts from Sears in Texas (EXTREMELY STUPID, I know). I paid my fine and I did my time in community service. It took me a long time to move past this and I thought I had. Now, I am incredibly disheartened that some of my law school apps SPECIFICALLY state that I must disclose expunged juvenile records. I would hate for something I did 10 years ago to bar me from attending law school. I know people say that as long as I am honest, it should not affect my admittance, but I find that hard to believe. Why wouldn't a school look at my record and reject it when there are so many other applicants?
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this? If an application DOESN'T specifically ask to disclose juvenile records should I still disclose or no? Would it be bad to disclose to schools who ask specifically and not others? I am fully aware this will come up in the bar I just feel very disheartened by this. Any advice would be appreciated.