Felon in NC needs job to support family

My name is Cynthia.  I am still currently on probation with a felony. I will be on probation until 2015, I was told by a lawyer that my felony will stay on me until 2023.  The state I was convicted in had a first time offenders act where I didn’t show up in any system.

 I live in North Carolina where the first time offender act does not apply.  I have been jobless for over a year. I have applied at several restaurants, retail stores, and other various places. I have been called to several interviews but the outcome is when the employers ask me what my felon is for they tell me they can’t hire me. It is for theft. So, I am back at square one with endless job applications, and no success.  McDonald's even said they would not hire me. I have three kids, two which are special needs, and a husband who is also disabled.  My husband is receiving disability and that alone doesn’t pay all the bills. We get food stamps, and medicaid. I am wanting to get off the public assistance and support my family. Is there anything else that I can do to help with my employment seeking?

Felon in NC needs job to support family

Hello Cynthia,

Frequent readers of my blog know that I strongly suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to use the local one-stop career centers

JobLink Career Centers are the one-stop career centers in North Carolina. These centers provide a long list of services that can help prepare you for a job or even training for a new career.  Each center has counselors that provide individual assistance.  Often these counselors have experience working with people with criminal backgrounds and know of employers who have hired ex-offenders and felons.  Among the services offered you will find lists of open jobs in your area.  You may also get referrals to other agencies that provide services that can help your family.  You can find the center closest to you here:

 http://www.ncesc1.com/locator/locatormain.asp
 
Because you have a theft conviction, you may not be considered for retail, cash handling or other positions where valuables are at risk.  That must be taken into consideration when applying for jobs.

I hope this helps.

  

Felon in NC needs job to support family

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

Mr. Mayo,

My sister  is a convicted felon for the 2nd time for DWI's.  She lives in Angleton, Tx.  She is a hard worker.  She has mainly done construction throughout her lifetime but she is getting too old to continue this type of work.  She has been to the WorkSource numerous times and she continues to look for employment; but she is getting really discouraged.  I have been online to find a list of company names that hire convicted felons and have now wrote them down.

Is their anything else you can think of that might help her seek gainful employment?

Thanks
 

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

I'm sorry your sister is having so much trouble.  The good news is that people with DWI get hired everyday.  It is my experience that people with DWI tend to have more success finding jobs in the retail or hospitality industries.  Employers in these fields want people who will be reliable and punctual. 

Don't give up on the WorkSource in Texas.  New positions are added everyday.  A counselor can show you how to browse open positions from home if your are not already doing so.

You can sign up to browse open positions here:

https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS

The closest center to you is:

 Workforce Solutions - Lake Jackson
 

 491 This Way
Lake Jackson, TX  77566

One last suggestion, when you find an opening you like, the absolute worst thing you could  is to lie on a job application your charge.  I would just be completely honest and in the interview explain the situation to the employer.

I hope this helps.

 Where can ex-offenders and convicted felons find jobs

 

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs

Hello, I was reading your site and have a question. I have a felony that was withheld adjudication on a constructive possession (a passenger in my car had drugs) a little over 4 yrs ago and that's it. But I can't get a job anywhere I've looked. I also don't have a CDL but can get one either through job training or school. I know about Carolina Cargo but that's it. Do you have any info on any other companies out there who will take a non experienced driver or newly trained driver with a background showing I plead guilty  but was with held? I was unaware at the time that this was pretty much no different than pleading guilty and being adjudicated with a sentence.


 Thanks.

 BCM
 

Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs

Hello,

Withheld Adjudication is not necessarily a terrible thing.  I get a number of inquiries regarding withheld adjudication / deferred judgement /deferred adjudication. Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs should understand what it means because it could affect their ability to be hired for some jobs. Withheld adjudication / deferred judgement/deferred adjudication generally relates to a determination by a judge to place a person on probation without a judgement of guilt. There will be terms set by the court, usually a fine and a period of probation. Once the conditions are fulfilled, the charges are normally dismissed. There will be no conviction related with that offense. If conditions are not met, a finding of guilty may be entered and the person may be sentenced according to the penalties specified for the offense.

So when completing an application that asks if you "Have you ever been convicted of a crime, you can answer "no" and rightly so because you haven't. The original charge will appear on a background check simply as a charge and not a conviction.  To absolutely certain of the status, you should check with the prosecutor or your probation officer associated with your case.  This is not intended as legal advice, simply general information. If you really concerned about the charge itself (employers are rarely concerned with charges.  They care more about convictions) you may look into having your charges sealed by the court.  Sealing is a legal process that conceals the charges from public view.  The charge will only be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies.

As for trucking jobs for felons, the site below has a good list of trucking companies. A large number of them have hired ex-offenders and felons. Some have their hiring policies as they relate to ex-offenders and felons included.

http://www.classadrivers.com/index.php?method=CompareCompanyListing&ListAll=1

 Each of the companies listed makes its own rules regarding felony convictions and the hiring of felons. Some will employ a driver after 5 years or longer since the conviction. Other companies won't hire felons, regardless. You must contact each carrier to find out exactly what their policy is concerning the hiring of felons.
 
I hope this helps.

 

  Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs

How can a Felon get an Expungement

I have a friend who has two felonies on his record. Some kind of drug charge and gun violation. He was incarcerated from 1992-1997. He has worked at Mc Donalds, the cell phone companies MCI and Sprint since he got out of prison. He was laid off from MCI. It has been really hard for him to find a job. MCI was a good job for him. He moved up to supervisor. Is there anyway that he can have his record expunged? Been out of prison 15 years. Please help

How can a Felon get an Expungement

Expungement is legal process that allows a criminal record to be essentially hidden from public view.  The record does not disappear, it is just hidden.  It will always be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies.  Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs have benefited by utilizing the expungement process.

The statutes governing expungement varies from state to state and is not available in all states.  Your friend should seek legal counsel first to see if it a viable option for him and also to petition the court if it is an option.  Attorneys get mad at me sometimes because some of them make a lot of money with the expungement of criminal records.  I would find the nearest legal aid office for assistance.  You may qualify for low-cost or even free assistance with this process.

I hope this helps.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Expungement - A Way to Erase Your Criminal Record

Finally, Real Help for Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs

How can a Felon get an Expungement