Felons must be honest when applying for jobs

Felon wants to become a teacher

Q: Hello,

I'm from Texas. I have a Felony/Theft charge on my background from 2008 and been on a 5yr probation about 3 years now. After about 3 weeks of job search, this past week i was hired on the spot as a sales associate at Academy. Then today, i was let go because of the felony charge, which i lied about on the application. Should I try talking to the manager and explain my situation? I know, i should just be upfront and put it down on the application, but not sure how to word it properly. What are some things to put on applications, when asked about criminal history? My degree is in Teaching and so have not tried those type of jobs. I also, have experience in, retail, food service, office. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to, share them. I'm glad I found your website. It helps having someone to share this with. Sometimes it gets very depressing. I just want to get my life moving in a positive direction. Anyway, thanks for your help. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sue

A: Hello Sue,

That is a common mistake by ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. Some believe by being
honest they don’t have a chance at getting a job. The fact is an employer cannot legally refuse to
hire you because you have a criminal record unless the conviction is directly related to the job for
which you are applying. I have spoken with former inmates who have lied on applications and
gotten jobs, only to lose them later when background checks were done. Some have been
encouraged to use the response “Will discuss at interview.”

For ex-offender and felons looking for jobs, applications present a dilemma. Lie or not to lie. I advise job seekers to always be honest. If you are dishonest about your past, you risk having the truth exposed later. You may get a job only to lose it after the employer finds out the truth through a background check. You will be fired for being deceitful, not because you have a criminal record.In my opinion, these are not good practices. The best advice I can give is BE HONEST! Employers have a responsibility to know as much as possible about prospective employees.

As for applying for other jobs, you should always apply for any job you feel you qualify for. Never talk yourself out of a job.

If you chosen profession is teaching, public schools aren't you only option. You may not be eligible to teach in public schools but there are other options. Community colleges, adult learning annexes and charter schools are great places to start. They usually have fewer regulatory restrictions than public school systems.

I hope this helps.

Are you a felon who is having difficulty finding a job? You can have your questions answered on this blog. Just send your questions to adogzheart2@gmail.com

If you are really serious about getting a job with a criminal record or helping someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job

There is always help for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

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Can felons with Withheld Adjudication get jobs?

Felon with Withheld Adjudication may need expungement

Q: Hi,

I am 26 years old and have never been arrested and I am currently in college pursuing a diploma in Allied Health and I was arrested in October for a felony under the wrong title of Unemployment Compensation Fraud even though I tried to explain that I never received any unemployment and showed letter stated the same stating ineligible it didn't matter. So when I went to court I was unable to afford a lawyer and had to settle for a public offender explained that the case was in reference to public assistance which I agreed to make payments because of a simple mistake of reporting a beginning date of employment. I was back and forth with communication with DCF explaining to them that I was no longer employed and a full time student but DCF reported not receiving payments and I was arrested. At court the defender told me State Attorney wanted to make a deal that I have no conviction, plead guilty but be withheld, pay restitution, and no parole and that it would not be on my record but I found out the hard way that it was because of my apartment complex that charge is showing as a FELONY..so my question is will I still be able to obtain employment even though I wasn't convicted but arrested because employers will only see FELONY.

A: Hello,

I'm not an attorney but it sounds like you have what is known as a Withheld Adjudication. In that case you may have to find out exactly what the conditions are. In most instances, once the conditions are met (typically a fine and probation,) the charges are dismissed. They will however appear on background checks as charges but not convictions. Anybody doing a background check (other than law enforcement,the court system, and government agencies) will only see the charges. Typically employers are only concerned with convictions and not charges. To be absolutely sure, contact the prosecutor associated with your case.

If you are still concerned with the charge, you may look into expungement. Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs seek legal assistance. I suggest contacting your local legal aid office to see if expungement is an option for you.

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: adogzheart2@gmail.com.

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Does expungement help ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Expungement may help felons get jobs

Q: Hello,

I am writing to find out is there any professional job that I can obtain because of the felony that I have from 2007? I have a Domestic Violence felony that I was convicted of in 2007 due to the fact that it was a dispute between me and my first wife. I am located in Texas and wanted to know, is it possible for me to get it expunge or sealed? Because I am relocating to Florida with my current wife and I have one course to finish to have my nursing licenses....I wanted to know if I get it sealed or expunge in Texas,. could I obtain my license in Florida? Or if I cannot get it sealed or expunge in Texas can I still obtain my license in Florida since it is a Texas Felony? I don't know how long I have to wait to get it expunge or sealed in Texas....I don't know the process to even start.

A: Hello,

If your conviction is in Texas, a Texas court would have to expunge or seal it. There is a twist to expungement. Expungement or sealing does not erase records but hides them from public view. If an expungement is granted the conviction will always be visible to government agencies, the court system and law enforcement. Licenses are granted by some level of government.

Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs seek legal assistance. I suggest contacting your local legal aid office first to see if expungement or sealing are viable options and then to get help applying for it. I would never try to do it alone.



I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: adogzheart2@gmail.com.

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Ex-offender may need help to get a job.

Ex-offenders and felons should apply for every job they qualify for

Q: Hello,

I came across your blog while looking for work. First, I would like to say how much appreciate your time and efforts in providing helpful information for ex-offenders. I have read through most of the posts and your advice has given me some hope in finding work.

I was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of burglary. This occurred over 10 years ago. I didn't serve any jail time and was given 3 years of probation. Since then I went back to school, received a bachelor's degree,started my own business, and plan to go back to pursue a Master's degree.

I want to work in a youth care facility, specifically working with at-risk youth and provide counseling, mentoring, and outreach. However, if a facility is licensed by the state, live-scan is a requirement. I had the misdemeanor charge expunged, but I know that the charge will still be on record (which I had expunged). I actually had an interview for a facility and when asked

about my criminal background, I was honest with that person. However, she could not hire me because of the record. She told me that I could apply for an exemption to work in the facility.

My question/concern is that from research on receiving an exemption, I would have to have the particular facility send a letter/request to the Licensing board before I can fill out the appropriate paperwork to get this exemption. Is it common for any facility to honor this

request? How I interpret this is that this facility would have to support you and go out of their way so they can hire you. My frustration is that any place is going to hire someone else that has a clean background over someone like myself. So I am wondering if you have had

any experience with exemptions or clearances through the DOJ/LIvescan? Do you think it is possible for ex-offenders to get jobs in this field? I will jump through hoops and get what is needed to get hired but is it a lost cause and doing all of this for nothing?

I am sorry for the lengthy email. I've spent many months researching this subject. I really could not find much information in regards to other people's experience with this particular subject. It has been very discouraging. I would appreciate any insight you might have. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

G

A: Hello G,

I guess it couldn't hurt to apply for the exemption and the facility definitely would have to put some added effort into it. I want everyone to understand that expungement and sealing of records to not erase them. They simply are hidden from the public. The charge and subsequent conviction will always be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies.

I know of ex-offenders and felons having similar jobs. The fact that you were informed about applying for exemption should give you hope if you really want this jobs. As I tell all ex-offenders and felons, they should apply for all jobs they believe they qualify for.

If this doesn't work out, you can always contact the United Way office in your area. They will be able to put you in contact with advocates and other organizations that provide services for ex-offenders and felons.



I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: adogzheart2@gmail.com.





felons

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Felon wants to be a locksmith

Can a felon be a locksmith?

Q: I am wondering if u can help me with a question that i have. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana and I am a convicted felon. I would like to know if I can become a licensed locksmith? If I can then what do I need to do to become a locksmith? Any information would be very helpful.

Thank You.

A: Hello,

To my knowledge, the state of Indiana does not require locksmiths to be licensed. One thing I do caution self-employed ex-offenders and felons is to inquire if your conviction prohibits you from getting bonded. A bond is an insurance policy that protects your customers from any type of loss as a result of doing business with you. I know ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs can be bonded through a program offered by the federal government. I'm not sure if the program extends to ex-offenders and felons who own their own businesses.

You can find more ab out the federal bonding program here:

http://www.bonds4jobs.com/

Are you a felon who is having difficulty finding a job? You can have your questions answered on this blog. Just send your questions to adogzheart2@gmail.com

If you are really serious about getting a job with a criminal record or helping someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job

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Felon with professional experience needs a job

Educated felon needs job opportunities

Q: Hello,

Thanks for creating your Blogspot on information for Ex-offenders. I am a first time offender who was convicted in 2007 and is having a hard time with gainful employment. I have approximately 17 years of human resources experience in the federal government service and 2.5 years of retail service. My felony is one of moral turpitude (forgery/utter forged check/obtaining money by false pretenses) which makes it difficult because of the trust factor. I would like to know if you have any recommendations for me to seeking gainful employment. I am currently on indefinite supervised probation for the payment of my restitution. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

A: Hello,

Often convictions involving integrity are often some of the toughest to overcome. I would suggest you contact the United Way in your office. The United Way supports a number of social services some of which offer assistance to ex-offenders and felons in need of jobs and other forms of aid. There may be positions for qualified professionals available in one of their member organizations. They may also be able to put you in contact with ex-offender/felon advocacy groups that know of companies that hire people with criminal backgrounds.

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: adogzheart2@gmail.com.





felons

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