After reading quite a bit on the NASD website and rrbdlaw I still haven’t figured out an answer to my question, so I thought I would ask here.

Here’s the short version of the story – 9 years ago in college I was charged with shoplifting (one of those young and incredibly stupid moments in life).  The prosecutor then dropped the charge to disturbing the peace.  I pled nolo contendre to disturbing the peace, was placed on probation, and given a substantial fine to make sure I understood that this wasn’t a slap on the wrist.  The probabtion eventually expired and the conviction was expunged (the plea was changed to not guilty and removed as a public record).  Since then I haven’t had so much as a speeding ticket and served in the military for 7 years.

I now have a few job opportunities in the finance industry and a careful reading of the form U-4 gave me some concerns.  Specifically, question 14B(1)(b) asks about charges rather than convictions.  Obviously I have to disclose this.  However, I was under the impression that statutory disqualification only occured with convictions.  If so, why are they asking about charges?