Problem Gettin a J-O-B w/FeLoNy

[rolln7s]

Ok, I searched around the threads, and even the threads from way back but didnt really find one that answered what im wondering about. I have a couple felonies ( Grand Theft, Possesion for Sale, Possesion, Some shit with Counterfeit yikes) and a few misdemeanors under the influence , paraphanelia, etc... and I am just wondering, how difficult is it going to be to find a good job? =( Im so discouraged I havent even really tried, coming up with excuses why not to go look for a job u know. I have applied at a couple places but no one calls back. so Im wondering what other people have gone through in regards to finding a GOOD job who have a record. Im also wondering if peoples know anything about gettin a record exponged and if thats even possible for someone with more than one felony like moi. I dunno shit about shit, I need someone to enlighten me. So Im reachin out to all the criminals =) Cant I just lie and say i dont have a record. Well, i guess if it was that easy everyone would do it. Ok done rambling hopefully I got my point across it is pretty early in the AM and havent slept.... heh ~ Thx ~

PS I heard sumthin bout employers cant see anything on your record that was over seven years ago? is that just a bunch of crap?

[EleusisII]

I don't know exactly how the US system works. But isn't the only person who can get access to your criminal record yourself?
That's the way it works here, so the couple of people I know who had something on their record, just got the printout from the Police, and altered/deleted what they didn't want in it.
It's forgery, but the good kind. The kind that can't be detected ;)

But anyways, can an employer call up the PD and ask about your record in the states, or is it something you have to document yourself?

Is there any particular field you're interested in BTW? You could always call the relevant union, and ask what their experiences are: You know which companys do require a criminal record, and which don't care as much. They'd know the local situation where you live.

[bigNasty]

how long ago were these convictions? I've had my misdemeanors expunged cause they were 3-4 yrs old and it was relatively easy and cost me $1k cuz i got a lawyer to do it. Don't really know if or how you get felonies expunged. I have a felony on my record and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a good job.

And eleusis, yes employers can do a background check and get your criminal record. Most applications over here have a thing at the end saying they are gonna do a background check and you have to sign it. But if you don't give consent, i'm sure they just throw your application away. And they can even get your ARREST record, meaning they can see shit you were arrested for but never convicted of.

[Duckfeet]

The online world, which has so much good, including Opy, and gives us the ability to find out how other people in this world are doing...also has much *bad*...the worse, IMO, is the inability to "leave our past behind..." In my youth, you could "start over..." and just in the last ten years or so, most police depts can and *do* do a *national* check, right from their cars...but in the U.S., this isn't what gets those of us w/criminal backgrounds in trouble, as long as we are behaving...it's the proliferation of *private* online background checks which most companies now use...and they also do a *credit* check which is even easier, and so now, they know all...

Even my AA sponsor, sort of an upright man, believes in always being honest, tell the truth to employers, all that, once saw my rap sheet when we were getting clearances to go to the local jail...and mine really was *six* pages long(I was actually proud of the fucker) and had one shooting, heroin and dilaudid possessions, and countless 1st degree burglaries in California, (where it also says I'm a registered 'Narcotics Addict', and an aggravated battery in FL(attempted murder) ...on an on...but even back then--1989--I could lie to get jobs, and can and did, and got hired...my sponsor said he wouldn't hire me either: that I should lie haha...

And as I've stated several times on here: even *Canadian* immigration has access to these records, whether private--or, more likely--law enforcement...and I got turned away in Vancouver...

So it's a bitch, now, and seems to me that the criminalizing--and now, medicalizing--of just about *every* thing we do, has put us on *accessible* databases everywhere...if I were young, and hadn't a pension to sustain me, I'd turn back to crime, fuck'em...*or*, work a lot harder at getting fake i.d.: the same thing the savvy terrorists all do...Me, I'd go down to Argentina, and find somebody who wanted dolllars, and had a good birth certificate, and then hang out around immigration, etc...I did this in Nicaragua years ago, and got a driver's license, etc...it can be done...but we've no freedom left in the U.S....just a big nanny state...

P.S. Even as experienced long haul trucker who had *no* trouble getting work back in 1995, now most companies won't touch me, since *sure* they only go back five years on rap sheet crap *but* they also ask you if you have any felony or drug convictions *ever* and always know when I lie, and always say no, don't come back....they're turning us all into outlaws and will reap the whirlwind the fuckers have created....get a gun...

[EleusisII]

And eleusis, yes employers can do a background check and get your criminal record.

Damn, that's fucked up. Glad I live in a country where privacy is still privacy...
Anyways, I'd check with the local unions in the field you're interested in working with. They'd know what the different policies and practices are with the local emplyers.

[rockbottom]

fuck it looks like back to crime for me--those fucking databases have got me more than once.--but ontime i had an understandind woman--and i hadn'y been in trouble in a few years and she hired me on the spot whith the criminalbackround check in her hands---so good luck to you Rollin

[Duckfeet]

Yep: my experience is that smaller companies in most fields are more sympathetic...it's just most of the companies now fear lawsuits if something goes wrong, and they have knowingly hired a *felon*...so the old view: that we deserved a chance, had paid our debt to society, etc...doesn't usually apply anymore: they know we aren't going to do shit if they don't hire us...but if they *do* hire us, and we fuck up, then the lawyers pounce on the company who hired us...so we're fucked coming and going...I wish I had more positive experiences...but yeah, small companies who talked to me always gave me a chance...and I know in old days, hard case unions, like Teamsters, Longshoremen, etc., would take a chance...but even unions are under the gun right now, so....The U.S...fuck, the *World's* gotten a lot smaller...and more connected...gotta be more savvy...can't just "go to Florida" anymore, that's for sure....The great 'cops and robbers' movie, "Heat" has a very instructive scene about why ex-cons go back to crime...i.e.: washing dishes just don't cut it....better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees, etc...


fuck it looks like back to crime for me--those fucking databases have got me more than once.--but ontime i had an understandind woman--and i hadn'y been in trouble in a few years and she hired me on the spot whith the criminalbackround check in her hands---so good luck to you Rollin

[bigNasty]

and they also do a *credit* check which is even easier, and so now, they know all...

..
That's even more fucked up IMO. They see that you don't pay your bills and therefore won't give you a job. Well no shit I can't pay my bills and my credit is shitty if nobody will give me a fuckin job

[Duckfeet]

Yup: credit checks are how they discriminate legally, since they know damn well poor people...which includes us and all the other lost causes of this earth...can't get or keep decent credit.....it's fucked...my landlord/owner of all these little cottages on the beach seemed to be the last guy in Calif who didn't believe in doing credit/background checks for renters: he just *talked* to me for a while---there's a concept--and thought I was a good guy, and gave me a chance...and here I stay...I never forgot that...*everybody* that I knew wanted this little place: it was cheap, and u can see the pacific ocean out the door...and I came up all scruffy and bearded and tattooed, looking live every other homeless junky on the beach...and *knew* I didn't stand a chance, as there were people all over the fucking place looking nice and lilly-white and they even had shoes on, the fuckers...and he talked to me a while, and then I forgot about it and went back to my boat, and he called on my cell the next day and gave me the place at about half of what the fuckers get on the market: me: ex-con, no credit at time, fucked every way u can be fucked....owner was nice guy...took a chance on me...and has never regretted it, and I hope I keep it that way...even all strung out and lost on heroin...I paid rent, every damned month...


That's even more fucked up IMO. They see that you don't pay your bills and therefore won't give you a job. Well no shit I can't pay my bills and my credit is shitty if nobody will give me a fuckin job

[EleusisII]

*World's* gotten a lot smaller...and more connected...gotta be more savvy...can't just "go to Florida" anymore, that's for sure....

I was wondering when you'd bring up the fact that before databases, people could go to another state with a clean slate and all that. ;)

The great 'cops and robbers' movie, "Heat" has a very instructive scene about why ex-cons go back to crime...i.e.: washing dishes just don't cut it....better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees, etc...

This might interest you, being a vet and all. Remember the debaucle the French had at Dien Bien Phu I think it was, before they passed on Vietnam for the US to fuck with?
Most of those French soldiers were actually old Waffen SS veterans. The French Foreign legion didn't ask any questions, and what the hell are you going to do, if your conscripted at 18, and your only skills are being a soldier?

[Duckfeet]

Yup: u actually got me doing the "old guy" thing this morning, getting all sentimental about the "good old days" when us wayward cons like me could move a state over, and get a new driver's license, etc...of course, people thought it was a *good* thing that they finally could track us down...but like all "good things" that involve the gov't...it ends up biting us on the ass...Louisiana had actually given me a pardon for my felony, and had restored my civil rights (including guns) and my stupid ass then applied for a pardon out in California (rather than just stay and be free in Louisiana), and Calif found out about original pardon, and notified Louisiana, and made sure that they revoked my pardon, etc....a poor boy can't win...


I was wondering when you'd bring up the fact that before databases, people could go to another state with a clean slate and all that. ;)



This might interest you, being a vet and all. Remember the debaucle the French had at Dien Bien Phu I think it was, before they passed on Vietnam for the US to fuck with?
Most of those French soldiers were actually old Waffen SS veterans. The French Foreign legion didn't ask any questions, and what the hell are you going to do, if your conscripted at 18, and your only skills are being a soldier?

Yeah: I often wished I'd just headed straight to France when I got out of Vietnam: French Foreign Legion used to be one of the last serious refuges for people on the wrong side of the end of wars: Waffen SS, Rhodesian Scouts and White Russians and Eastern Europeans, and broken-hearts and hardheads from all over the world could go there, and if they could put up w/the harsh discipline, and didn't give a shit where they fought, could come out w/french citizenship and new i.d... But I gather that is not as slack either, as it used to be...again: online world: criminals need not apply....

[HandMeSomeOpiates]

I don't know exactly how the US system works. But isn't the only person who can get access to your criminal record yourself?
That's the way it works here, so the couple of people I know who had something on their record, just got the printout from the Police, and altered/deleted what they didn't want in it.
It's forgery, but the good kind. The kind that can't be detected ;)

But anyways, can an employer call up the PD and ask about your record in the states, or is it something you have to document yourself?

Is there any particular field you're interested in BTW? You could always call the relevant union, and ask what their experiences are: You know which companys do require a criminal record, and which don't care as much. They'd know the local situation where you live.
Ohhhh How I WISH that were true here in the states. Here they even know what hand you masterbate with.

[bigNasty]

Ohhhh How I WISH that were true here in the states. Here they even know what hand you masterbate with.
It's true. An employer once got my background check and said "So you whack it righty, but occasionally beat it lefty to cheat on yourself. Do i have that right?" I was like WTF?!!

[rockbottom]

you can still do other states--read misdea\menirs my brother is working in new mexico ans the cops know yhat he has awarrent for theft from cali-- but i guess they hate cali so much they dont fuck wthit--i have more than a couple carrers but the ones that run high security checks i can expect my las check from 3 wks to 2 months---others run these bullshit tests i;ve passed a few of those--i still have the bad dielemma of should i lie--or not--------fuckit i always lie--everbeen convicted of a felony--no:) i had motherfuckers read me the riot act when they found out----like if you knew you had a felony -them why dud u lie?--would u have hired me with a felony--no-------so there u go i needed a job--this one mutherfucker turned so red i thought he was having a corinary----but he was just astounded that a mutherfucker like me would dare to lie to him----asshole:mad:

iknow nick hates dealing but u gotta do what u gotta do--and with the price of chrinic nowdays a small all inclusivehydro kit and yiur in buisness---tht fuckers here run under ground ropes to the river the ropes act lick a wick--and viola your plants are hundredes of feet awaw from yhe river---fuck leo

[Poppylvr]

Ok,. so Im wondering what other people have gone through in regards to finding a GOOD job who have a record. Im also wondering if peoples know anything about gettin a record exponged and if thats even possible for someone with more than one felony like moi.
PS I heard sumthin bout employers cant see anything on your record that was over seven years ago? is that just a bunch of crap?
Hiya rolln7's
Good News - Bad news info for you
Good : You CAN get a felony expunged. I'm 3/4 of the way through getting a narcotics violation second degree felony expunged. 9 years ago, I was charged with 7 counts and allowed to plead guilty to one count "Making a Fraudulent Narcotics Report" which is legalese for stealing morphine vials from the hospital where I worked. The trick is that each state varies how they handle felony expungements. In my state you have to file separately for expungement of each felony and there are certain felonies that they won't expunge.
We hired a lawyer, like bigNasty because it's a long drawn out many part process. My appeal is being filed with the court next week & after that the actual expungement papers have to go around to all kinds of agencies - and then I'm clean again.
The other good news: I am a Registered Nurse, and I was able to work 3 different good jobs despite having a narcotic felony record. I was "rigorously honest" in each application, and explained what happened. One of my miracles is that I am back working for the same hospital system that had to fire me 10 years ago because of my theft. So it's important to be honest, a bit contrite, explain what you learned & how you're a better person/employee now that you have mended your ways.
It was very hard to find a job in the year after my arrest. I ended up working in my kid's pediatrician's office as a medical assistant - with a 13$/hr pay cut. Because of that I lost my house. After being there 1.5 years I was able to get an RN job with a big hospital system in town despite the record. The human resources people have told me they ALWAYS check everyone's criminal records and what they want to see is the applicant telling the truth. As others have said, with the computerization of records now, they can find ALL your crimes unless you get your record expunged.
Check online - we learned what to do by checking the court where I was charged/sentenced - they have a specific list of what can & cannot be expunged and how to do it. If you have charges with different courts, you'll have to check with each.
Good Luck - I'm certain you can find something - and work up as you prove yourself to be a good employee.

[Duckfeet]

hey: at least you don't tie yourself up first...not that there's anything *wrong* w/that!!!


It's true. An employer once got my background check and said "So you whack it righty, but occasionally beat it lefty to cheat on yourself. Do i have that right?" I was like WTF?!!

[Dan Steely]

If you present yourself well the potential employer most likely will not bother with a criminal background check. This may not be the case with large corporations that just do them as a matter of policy. To fill out lapses of previous employment just say you worked for yourself or give a friend as a past employer.

Don't get hung up on your record. Pretend you don't have one and go after the jobs you want. If you tell the truth they will most likely hire someone else. Apply to places you want to work whether they have ads out or not. For every job thats in the paper there are probably 5 more openings that get filled before a company needs to advertise. Don't wait for them to call you back. You call them, repeatedly. Not in a begging or harassing manner but let them know that you have had other offers but you wanted to hear their offer before you made a decision.

[SHELLEY]

Ok, I searched around the threads, and even the threads from way back but didnt really find one that answered what im wondering about. I have a couple felonies ( Grand Theft, Possesion for Sale, Possesion, Some shit with Counterfeit yikes) and a few misdemeanors under the influence , paraphanelia, etc... and I am just wondering, how difficult is it going to be to find a good job? =( Im so discouraged I havent even really tried, coming up with excuses why not to go look for a job u know. I have applied at a couple places but no one calls back. so Im wondering what other people have gone through in regards to finding a GOOD job who have a record. Im also wondering if peoples know anything about gettin a record exponged and if thats even possible for someone with more than one felony like moi. I dunno shit about shit, I need someone to enlighten me. So Im reachin out to all the criminals =) Cant I just lie and say i dont have a record. Well, i guess if it was that easy everyone would do it. Ok done rambling hopefully I got my point across it is pretty early in the AM and havent slept.... heh ~ Thx ~

PS I heard sumthin bout employers cant see anything on your record that was over seven years ago? is that just a bunch of crap?

it depends on the job
but sometimes if ya lie and say you have no felonies
then maybe put your DOB wrong by one digit they wont find out

it worked at the strip club- in pbc they can't hire drug felons :confused:

[Raz]

i would change a few minor details, like a digit on your date of birth or change a letter in your surname.....try and just change a few little things in your personal info and if it does eventually come on top, just either lie or charm your way out of it.....Thats what i would do if i was you...

[rachamim18]

Well, there is a current thread by a poster who goit his expunged but I will briefly add what I said there. To me it is a waste. The only advantage would be in terms of a civil service job. I have never had a problem getting either a job or making my way in life despite the best efforts of Law Enforcement. If asked, deny you have one. If they check, it is a problem but even when you get it expunged it remains in quite a few databses . It does not magically erase your arrest and its consequences it just nullifies the legal ramifications in things like the civil service hiring process and so on (in the US).

In fact, in my union (retired now) if you do not have a felony record you are pretty much ostracised hahaha.

[JayTrizzle]

No doubt, get a cash only job, they aint hard to find. And besides that, to get a truly GOOD job, you're gonna have to drop UA's eventually, which, to every opiophile on here that doesnt get there shit for a doctor legally, means you don't have a job anymore. Construction ALWAYS hires. You think those hispanic dudes are legals? No, they'd be working for a reputable company if they were. And construction motherfuckin PAYS the bills.

[limitless_euphoria]

Ok, I searched around the threads, and even the threads from way back but didnt really find one that answered what im wondering about. I have a couple felonies ( Grand Theft, Possesion for Sale, Possesion, Some shit with Counterfeit yikes) and a few misdemeanors under the influence , paraphanelia, etc... and I am just wondering, how difficult is it going to be to find a good job? =( Im so discouraged I havent even really tried, coming up with excuses why not to go look for a job u know. I have applied at a couple places but no one calls back. so Im wondering what other people have gone through in regards to finding a GOOD job who have a record. Im also wondering if peoples know anything about gettin a record exponged and if thats even possible for someone with more than one felony like moi. I dunno shit about shit, I need someone to enlighten me. So Im reachin out to all the criminals =) Cant I just lie and say i dont have a record. Well, i guess if it was that easy everyone would do it. Ok done rambling hopefully I got my point across it is pretty early in the AM and havent slept.... heh ~ Thx ~

PS I heard sumthin bout employers cant see anything on your record that was over seven years ago? is that just a bunch of crap?

I have a friend (well, I haven't talked to her in ages now but I'd still classify her as one) who has a felony record.

Not only did she get nailed with possession and a couple of other related charges but she was so strung out at one point she fell in with a real bad crowd and got caught robbing banks. She actually got away a few times. Then, her last time, a cabbie dimed her out because he took her in a couple of blocks away from the scene and he wouldn't have been suspicious were it not for her acting nervously and changing a couple articles of clothing.

The prosecutor and her attorney convinced her to roll on the big dogs organizing everything and that's what she did. After serving time she had to relocate to another part of the country.

Anyway, she had a really tough time. It seems as though when she's found employment she's either found the sympathy of other felons or people who've had trouble with the law. Either that or she's gone for a few under-the-table kind of gigs. The one thing I know is that she's never had the attitude of being "too good" for a given job. She's basically had to "suck it up" and take whatever she can get. Her and her husband have several children and nowadays it's not easy supporting a large family; however, I cite her as an exmple because she's done it.

Nowadays you have to remember we're in a pretty shitty economy. Even regular old Joe's are having a problem finding a decent job. Naturally, having a felony, that's going to make your life even more difficult but I wouldn't say impossible.

I'm not sure what to think of lying, saying you DO NOT have a felony on your record or changing one digit of your SS#. You can try it but don't be surprised if it catches up to you sooner or later. But then again, they can't take back money they've already paid out so you'd be in luck for as long as it takes to get busted. What would scare me about that is providing false info to an employer might be a serious crime and since you have prior offenses the judge might have little to no sympathy.

Good luck with your job search. My advice, be patient, put in an assload of apps, check out any leads by word of mouth and under-the-table might really be your salvation.

[chemiKalz]

Hate to break it to you tits mcgee but its hard to get a job these days even with out a record.

[SeVeN]

Ohhhh How I WISH that were true here in the states. Here they even know what hand you masterbate with.

And what your thinking about as you do it.

[rockbottom]

ive gotten a few jobs by lying on app ---but usually about 3 months-later they got me---but one time i met a compassionate human resource manager--and even with my bad record she hired me---really cool chick-----so yeah just keep plugging away and something will turn up------fuck getting a job is work and u have to put in alot of hours sometimes to get results----good luck Rolln