Felon with sex offense needs job search advice

Sex offender needs help finding a job

I am a 26 year old convicted sex offender. I did not do this crime (I'm sure you hear that all the time...I know...it gets old, but it's true), but under the advice of my lawyer, I took a plea bargain. Now, it is at this point that I must say that I know there is no expunging or pardoning because I admitted to it....BUT, it was only a misdemeanor conviction when I was 19. I was in Virginia at the time, and my accuser was my 4 year old great niece. I'd never been in any trouble before that. I was in college and my girlfriend literally lived right down the street, so I had no reason to do this, but My lawyer told me that no matter what, they would believe my great niece, because she was sooo convincing and had everyone fooled. ANYWAY, I just wanted to get back to college with no problems.

September 9, 2004 I was convicted of Sexual Battery misdemeanor (it was dropped down from Aggravated Sexual Battery which is a felony.) I was sentenced to 1 year, but that year was suspended due to the fact that I had no other anything on my record. I was eventually kicked out of school because they found out. I had one year to go.

In 2007 I was working for a good company when I received my next charge. "Failure to register as a Sex Offender" misdemeanor. This was because the person who did my DNA and fingerprinting did not send it to the office in Richmond like he was supposed to. I did as they asked, went to the station, waited for like 45 minutes, got my picture taken, fingerprinted, DNA swabbed, and reconfirmed my address and info, yet they still charged me with it because he didn't do his job. It was my responsibility to make sure the documents got to Richmond. BUT I CAN'T GO INTO THE POLICE OFFICE AND DO ANYTHING!!! Since I was stupid enough not to remember the officer's name, it was my fault and I had no choice but to plea. In January of 2008, I was working at a very good job that I loved. ABSOLUTELY LOVED. They knew my history and still hired me. I was employee of the month twice!! BUT that stopped when I get a call in January from the state trooper, telling me that I missed a registration. (I didn't know I had because I just registered.) They tried to send me another on in the mail in December of 2007, but because of my work schedule, I never got the notice. EVERY SINGLE TIME before this, they were able to leave the letter, but for this one, they couldn't without MY signature. My mother signed for all others, but she couldn't this time. The odd thing is, she NEVER got notice of there was something to even be signed. She didn't go out much at all, usually in all day long and she would've heard the doorbell...nothing. I was able to prove that the letter never reached my hands, but they said the post office TRIED to notify me. It was sent back to Richmond and once again, it was my fault. I now have a felony for a stupid piece of paper not being sent to them. I moved to South Carolina in 2008 with my sister after doing 60 days in jail, and things are now stale. I can't find work. I freelance mechanic and do other odd-jobs, but that's few and very far between. I have tried so many different things, but the one thing I can't do is lie about this. I know I have the experience but it's this damned history that's killing me. I won't lie because if they find out, it's worse. I'm just trying to do the right thing and I need a job to further that pursuit. ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING you can do would be helpful. Even if all you can do is respond to this letter. It is more than I could hope for. I am a very nice man. I would never hurt anyone...I find myself giving what little money i have to the homeless because I can't stand to see people suffer. I have a fiance' who is doing all she can to support me and get some legal resolve to this nightmare. We know it will be a long process, but we are willing to do whatever it takes. I see on your site that you specialize at finding felons jobs. Now I am not asking for a miracle, because this is a sex offense, not DUI or bad checks. I know it's the worse kind of felony. But please help. I do truly appreciate just the time you took to read this. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tre


Hello Tre,

Unfortunately there are no easy answers here. You have an advantage over most ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. You have a marketable skill. With a mechanics trade you could find work in an independent garage. Most small businesses do not do background checks because they can be expensive. When it is time to complete an application, you may opt to leave blank any questions relating to criminal records. If the question does come on an interview, be honest but, as I suggest to ex-offenders and felons, simply acknowledge the charge but don't spend a lot of time talking about it. Concentrate on your skills as a mechanic.

You will be able to get job search help at your local One-stop Career Center. There you will find a list of services that can help a felon find work. There are also counselors there who have experience working with ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. There you will also find a list of available jobs in your area,

You can find the nearest One-stop Career Center here:

www.servicelocator.org

I hope this helps.

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Where can ex-offenders and convicted felons find jobs

"Sex offender needs job search advice"

Felons should always be honest applying for jobs

Should ex-offenders and felons lie on applications?

I was arrested in May of 2008 for the charge of burglary. I took a plea agreement that lessened the conviction to Felony Trespassing (3rd degree) in New Jersey. My question is if potential employers will see something like Trespassing as just as bad as any other felony or if I am worrying too much and thinking I will be constantly passed over for jobs because I am grouped in the same "Felony" category as people who have committed violent crimes, robbery, and etc. I have a college degree and 2 years work experience in a media-related field but keep applying to jobs with the notion that my charges are always going to hold me back from getting a job within the field of media, marketing, and promotion. With so many employers conducting background checks, I just want to see how a Felony Trespassing charge looks to them and if I am still hireable. Thank you so much for taking the time to help a person in need.

-A



Hello A,

I encourage all ex-offenders and felons to always be hones when applying for jobs.  Your situation isn't as bad as it seems. Trespassing is a relatively minor offense and there are no integrity questions surrounding it. Whenever the question comes up on an application or on an interview, be honest. Typically on an application, the question will be, "Have you been convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation?" You will answer honestly.

In reference to convictions, it is necessary to list all relative information. Include the name of
the conviction, date, location, and the disposition (time served, fine and/or probation.)

Example:

Trespassing (isolated incident) 8/12/08 Newark, NJ Probation 6 mos

I used the notation "isolated incident." It gives the impression that you are not a criminal, but a person that just found himself in a bad situation...something that can happen to anyone. If the question comes up, don't go into detail, just give an answer just like that.

The most important thing I suggest to all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to be honest. there no sense in being dishonest only to lose a job when a background check is done.

I hope this helps


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"Real Help for Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs"

Can a Felon be a Licensed Counselor?

 Felon wants to be a Counselor

Hi,

My name is Kerry and I came across a blog for felons. My boyfriend is currently in prison. He wants to go to school upon being released to be a counselor for inner city teens. Is it possible to obtain a license in counseling being a convicted felony? I'm currently applying for grad school to get my LPCC in mental health and we're looking to start our own private practice. I you can give me some information that will truly be appreciated.

Thank you,

Kerry


Hello Kerry,

The best suggestion I can give you and your husband is to contact the medical licensing board in your state. I know of felons who have jobs as certified counselors so I guess it depends on the state and the nature of the felony.

I hope this helps.

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  "Felon wants job as Counselor"

Can a Ex-offender get a job with Pre-trial Intervention?

Ex offender needs help finding a job

If I do pre-trial intervention and then all my record gets sealed once I complete the courses, what do I have to say in an interview when they ask about anything on my criminal record they should know about?

Kayla




Hello Kayla,

Pre-trial intervention is usually offered to first time offenders whose offenses are not that bad.  In different states it may have different names such as, Deferred Adjudication, Deferred Judgement or Deferred Sentence. There are terms associated with pre-trial intervention, usually a fine and probation.  In most cases when the terms of pre-tral intervention are met, the charges are essentially dropped. Because the charges were dropped, there is no conviction. Record of this can only be seen by the court system, law enforcement and certain government agencies. There will always be a record of the initial charge but it will show as dropped.  With pre-trial intervention, there is an initial plea of guilty. It is my understanding, at the end of the probationary period, if you have complied with all the conditions of probation and the fine is paid, the guilty plea is considered withdrawn, the case is dismissed and no conviction enters. This is because a conviction is not final until there has been both a guilty plea or finding of guilt and the imposition of sentence. Since sentencing does not occur before the end of the probationary term, there is no conviction.  Have you been convicted of a crime?  The answer is "no".  This is not legal advice.  If you want to get the details of your case, contact the probation officer assigned to you.


 Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs apply for expungement which means that you can apply to have your charge hidden from public view. Both the charge and the pre-trial intervention will always be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies. This may not be an option for you since most employers are only concerned with convictions

I often suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for a job to seek assistance at their local legal aid office.

I hope this helps.

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"Ex-offender may need legal help to get a job"

Felon in Florida seeks career in health care

Felon wants a career in health care

Dear Sir,

I bumped into this article on line. I'm from Sarasota Florida. I have two felony charges for drug possession. One is thirteen years the other eight years old. Will I be able to get my certification, or will I be denied because of these charges. I have completed all terms of probation years ago and have since turned my life around. Still I have much anxiety and guilt when I have to apply to any situation. I'm a wonderful person and have been in the home health business for a few years as a companion caregiver. Anything I can do?

Thanks much for your time.

Robert



Hello Robert,

I have worked with ex-offenders and felons who have jobs in the health care field here in New Jersey. I suggest you contact can contact the medical licensing board in Florida. They will be able to advise you of licensing restrictions for ex-offenders and felons seeking jobs in health care.

The state of Florida as guidelines for offender eligibility for licensing. You can find it here:

CONVICTION RECORD GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS FOR LICENSURE & EXEMPTION

For more information, obtain the Florida Nurse Practice Act and Rules of the Board of Nursing, you can contact them at this number: 850-488-0595

I hope this helps.
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  "Can a felon get a job in health care?"