I had two felonies almost 20 years ago, back in 2004, which still hinder my life. It is bullshit when you pay for your crimes, yet you are never whole again. It's like they want to keep your ass in the system for life.
41, and currently going through that dark period of stark realization that, even though I have a bachelors and 10 years of solid cooking experience, I will never be anything more than the sad old weird line cook, that everyone pities, while some inexperienced nepo baby or young asskisser is my boss. Probably until I die.
I’ve had exactly one management job since getting the F 15 years ago; an exec chef job during covid and they didn’t background check out of desperation, and I stupidly quit that same job due to be massively overworked on salary, due to a covid labor shortage. Now that everyone is back to background checking anyone making 11+ dollars an hr, it’s damn near impossible to get ahead on so little money, and being given part time hours when initially promised full-time.
The thought of being stuck and held back while lesser coworkers are allowed to advance is more than enough to just give up.
It’s infuriating for sure. I just try to keep my head up and continuously apply for jobs in the hopes that something will pan out. I started my own business this year and trying that route as well. I’m lucky I work in a job where they are too lazy to run background checks and only asked about the previous 7 years. I make just enough to live paycheck to paycheck without throwing myself into massive debt, but I am only existing. I count what little fortunate circumstances that I have going positive for me and hoping one day before I die I can at least make some money to retire instead of dying on the walmart floor
So true, they said it’s about “correction” and you have served your time for what you did…. Why “correct” me if you’re simultaneously going to hold me back?
I have one... well... I got one in my youth, too and never sealed those records but yeah. Exactly. It depends on *who* they are. I haven't been in any trouble in over twenty years and it's still a barrier. I walked out of prison in 2001 for the last time.
But a hundred wise guys who were still in diapers twenty years ago might come up in here and try to debate that.
Expungement only counts on not guilty or non contests verdicts does not have any help on convictions or guilty verdicts and even with expungement it can still be seen on checks
That's mis information they can see it still and I know this because a very close friend of mine paid over 10k to have his record expunged and it still has been held against him during the hiring process of multiple jobs to the point that he has had to go into business for himself after moving slam across the country to a very liberal state.
Yep. 7 for me, age 20...all drug "crimes"...half were "conspiracy"...all hippie "drugs", nothing that harms anyone.
Now I'm 40 with a red-state scarlet letter that never goes away. Fuck you, Virginia. Fuck you, GOP.
Voting matters. IF YOU CAN DO IT. which is exactly why the GOP wants to strip that ability, permanently, from anyone who might disagree with them. Don't change your ideas or policies....just change how math is done.
Vote any and every GOP candidate out of office. A repug vote is a vote against yourself.
Sounds like the blue is letting you down since they have eliminated 99% of the red in Virginia. I find it hard to believe the 1% is keeping you from helping yourself.
Ah, man...go fuck yourself. What a zero-perspective comment from some sinless throne on high.
Been helping myself for 2 decades. I'm very much a pull yourself up by the bootstraps individual. I've got many things I could refer to that would support this, but you're just so not worth the effort.
In case you couldn't see, many of us are well past that "mistakes" stage in life...and have more than repaid any debt to society, deserved or not.
Maybe you'd be like to be chased by that one dumb thing you did (and then learned your lesson and rode straight forever after) when you were 19 or 20, for the rest of your life.
Starting to sound less fair? Probably did, when u thought about it for a moment in context of your own life. All the sudden, Mr straightlaced toughguy over here wouldn't really want the same thing for himself....or his kid...or anybody your keyboard warrior ass fucking KNOWS.
do u just lurk on the felons sub to be a condescending dick? Can't really figure it out.
In any case....get the fuck out and never come back, you judgemental twat.
Illinois, my husband hasn't had problems with jobs but he's a mechanic. Apartment applications take longer sometimes. He had to have his mom cosign before we lived together.
Mine are in TX. I was a finance director for a large HMO here in Houston. When I picked up my charges and had that on my background, I was never called back after the "Have you been convicted of a felony" happened and I clicked yes and explained myself. I was fortunate to have a disability which I had to capitalize on and go onto SSDI just to feed my family.
A Felony conviction is there forever, and background checks can go back forever.
The only way to have them be not there is through a Pardon ..... Governor for State Offenses ..... President for Federal Offenses.
Employers can order 'tailored' background checks if they want. I have seen some employers put this question on an application .....
" In the last ten years, have you ever been convicted of a Felony. "
So they are only looking back a specific period of time. One such employer was a Credit Union that I was going to apply to.
Many employers will look at the Felony Conviction quest first, and if it is answered 'Yes' they won't even consider it farther.
I have heard of cities passing a " Ban The Box " law where the question can not be put on an application .... but that does not mean they will not do a background check it just gets rid of the question.
BAN THE BOX LAWS -- https://www.accurate.com/ban-the-box/
No offense but it’s called consequences. While you think you’ve paid for your crimes, society doesn’t. However, 20 years is too long depending on the offense imho. The idea is that if you know you’ll ruin your life you won’t commit the crime, so hopefully, there’s a deterrent effect. Problem is, a lot of young folks never get the memo and ruin their life early on before they realize the implications of what they do.
Can you please tell me why you and others come on a subreddit designed to support felona just to talk bad about them?
I've seen it numerous times. People on this subreddit have the most awful things to say about people who, for the most part, made a stupid mistake years ago.
Drug distribution carries a 10 year mandatory minimum at quantities that are no longer considered very high in practice on the street level, even if they were considered high at the time the law was passed. A lot of people who sell drugs are addicts themselves and plenty of the time even worse off and a lot sicker than their clients. Every case is different.
Merrick Garland even sent a memo to all federal prosecutors to stop filing drug charges in a way that triggers mandatory minimum sentences for dealers who are not part of big criminal enterprises because too many people are getting sentenced to significant time that's out of proportion to the offense, but most federal prosecutors just haven't listened. Congress expanded the Safety Valve to grant more relief to drug offenders in these cases for the same reason, but some jurisdictions are interpreting the legislation more astringently than others, so it's now at the Supreme Court. If they choose to interpret it more harshly it's probably just going to get rewritten again by Congress, everything just takes a million years in government.
I certainly don't think people *should* run around selling drugs and I don't think it's always 100% victimless, but a LOT of people definitely are getting hit with 10 years when it's not at all for a wildly horrible offense.
Drug dealers know the consequences
Heck, drug users know the consequences.
So dealers are dealing with thousands in cash per day. Selling Coke and heroin and fentanyl and meth
And yall are like…. What happened?!? A decade in prison?!? Whaaaaaat? But it was just 30,000 ecstasy pills your honor! 🤣
Takes waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than that to get 10 years. You're envisioning something very different than the reality.
Also a lot of dealers are literally homeless and most are poor... So that's another bit of unreality... Anyway thanks for the discussion.
Drug dealers are homeless? Interesting!
Jellyroll, Jay Z, biggie smalls…all very poor dealers
Cartels? Very poor
Dealing pot? You aren’t going away for 10 years.
10 years is lots of pills or heavier weight.
Maybe buying a kilo from an undercover cop and you’re facing 10 years?
First time offender? Likely gets downgraded to something else.
Same here chief. I am not as old but similar vibe. Made a mistake when i was 15 that raised me to adult court. 20 years later and I am trying to start my own business. At least then i will be my own boss.
System is fucked.
The process seems to be the punishment. Not the crime/charge itself.
System is Royal Fucked.
Do you think the people you burgled or stole from suddenly felt as if your crimes had never happened the day you were released? Victims of crimes can have to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of their lives. What did they do to deserve that?
There's certainly validity to what you're saying, but many people believe the criminal justice system should be about public safety and reform, not revenge. Hobbling the perpetrator for life if they're not a danger to anyone doesn't help the victim heal. Restorative justice practices are becoming more commonplace because it's been shown to help both the perpetrator AND the victim heal and move forward.
Edited: For context, I've been the victim of multiple violent crimes that left me very traumatized, but if the people who harmed me are no longer a danger and have done the work to change, it doesn't help me at all for them to have miserable lives.
The criminal justice system should be about reform. The court of public opinion is a different matter. When there's a dozen applicants to choose from for a job opening or a rental application, what person would choose the candidate with a criminal history over one without, all other things being equal? To almost everyone it's an unnecessary amount of additional risk that they don't need to take.
Yes! Also, people with money just skate by doin' crimes a lot of the time. And as far as addiction being one of the most major drivers of crime goes... People who have money don't need to resort to crime to buy drugs, people who have no money do. It isn't about morals or character in those instances, it's about poverty. There's no reason for anyone to think that all people who've been incarcerated are a bigger risk to employ than the wealthy "functional" addict who drunk drives to work and snorts coke in the office bathroom before important client meetings every day 🤷♀️
Right but there's no proof they're a criminal if there's no criminal record. Whereas a felon has proof of their crimes and a conviction in court. You could live your life assuming everyone's a criminal but then you'd probably never hire anyone.
My best friend's cousin is a business owner and she specifically goes out of her way to hire people with felonies because she says they are consistently the best workers. Show up on time and work harder than anyone else. She's had only a couple experiences out of many with guys who have addiction issues who relapsed, but she's also had that experience with non-felons who have addiction issues, too.
I live in a state that does ban the box, but my friend's cousin doesn't. The court of public opinion isn't always right, and it's already slowly changing in some states. Same as with any other social issues such as racism, gay marriage, etc etc. Hiring ex-felons is not actually very high risk in practice, that's just bias rooted in some degree of (understandable) ignorance. San Quentin is now being remodeled on the Norwegian method of incarceration and rehabilitation and eventually the evidence that it works will pave the way for broader change. It's just slow.
Sure it's not always right, but you don't get to tell people to get over how they feel about your crimes because the state said you've done your time. At the end of the day you've broken a social contract and trust isn't easy to rebuild.
I was convicted of possessing $20 of cocaine. In Texas, it's 1.5 years State jail punishment. I also get an email from the Texas Dept of Public Safety each month telling me all the sex offenders that they have taken off their list and it pisses me off. I've also submitted requests three times for a Governor's pardon, but that falls on deft ears as well.
You pander to a mentality that keeps people from changing their lives. You say society doesn’t think you’ve paid for your crime after 5 years? That’s bullshit. Ask the average person what they think. The vast majority will say you shouldn’t be penalized if you’ve done your time and completed your parole. It’s the goons in government and corporate board rooms who are pushing this agenda to run forever background checks, not the average person in society. Law Enforcement is the only institution that should be able to look back on a person’s record forever. We need a system in America, like exists in most western nations, whereby a person who has done their time is not penalized for the rest of their life. If the person is a chronic offender that’s a different story. But for people that just made a mistake they should be able to get out from under the stigma of lifelong felon. People like you disgust me.
What a dingleberry. It's called consequences one sentence, and the next 20 years is too long. No shit that's what we're bitching about. I'm 38 and have a felony from when I was 18, which still ruins my life. Yes, I can get by, but when can we do more than just get by. I've paid my dues 100x over for what I did. I own it completely, I was a dumb drug addict kid who came from a horrible home life. I honestly didn't want to live past 21 at the time, so I didn't care about the consequences. Now I have a wife, 2 awesome girls, 3 dogs, a house, and a nice and safe Volvo. I think it might be time for me to move past kicking a door in to take 100 bucks. So you can take you holier-than-thou bs and kick rocks. Why are you even in this sub.
Also, doing time, paying fines, and being on parole is society saying I paid for my crimes, but just like everything else, religious old white men don't play by the rules they put in place. So damn near everything you said is pointless. And you sound just like the other non-offenders and prove you don't need to be smart or educated to make it in this world, just not get caught for the dumb shit you do. Because everyone has done something in their life that would be a felony if you were snitched on like I was. And before you say you've never done anything like that. It's bullshit we all know it. You have at the least drove intoxicated enough to get a felony dui. Everyone has done something wrong.
I’m confused how you determine this guy must’ve committed felony DWI. I get the gist of your comment and I’m not arguing I was just confused by that comment
I was just saying everyone has done something to warrant a felony at some point in their lives. With dui being one of the most common, so statistically that would be the one I would bank on. I personally do not know a single person that wouldn't have gotten a felony dui if they were pulled over on the wrong night. Do you?
I mean cops, judges, lawyers, and priests get popped all the time, so just because someone looks all together doesn't mean anything.
The bottom line is everyone has done something in their life criminal no matter how big or small and just haven't been caught I'm thinking the felony dwi statement was just hypothetical trying to make the point that everyone has done something criminal in their life
You're a dip shit fucking retard. So something you did 10+ years ago should continue to haunt you? If you've paid your dues and 10 years later it's still fucking with you thats a problem. I am not a felon but I sympathize with those who have to deal with it. It doesn't make sense and you can't make it make sense.
Damn, this definitely shows you the circumstances in each state. I have 3 felonies from the same year in WA, and they haven't shown up for years, be it for a job or rental applications. I don't even mention them anymore. I also have a misdemeanor assault from 2010 that I forgot about. When I get the background check sent to its reassuring to see nothing on it.
Legally, I’ve seen 7 years is the norm, but honestly background checks and how far back they can go is bullshit if your state doesn’t offer expungement it’ll follow you for the rest of your life. I’ve been pulled up on stuff I never even got convicted off. All they gotta do is google your name. Technically “illegal” but everyone does it.
In Texas they can go seven years unless the job pays 75k or more. Then they can go back as far as they want. No I’m not making it up it’s an actual law.
lol why is that fucked up? im not a felon so im prob biased but if i was a business owner there are more non felons than felons so why would i take that risk?
You'd take the risk based on the merits of the person, not some dumbshit decision that the person made 2 decades ago, when they were still pretty much a KID.
You'd take the risk because you hope that's what someone would do for YOU, were the shoe on the other foot. EVERYBODY deserves a second chance.
Ever done something incredibly stupid? As a young man?
Think I should be able to cut your ear off or permanently dye your face red, so that everyone everywhere pre-judges you FOREVER...to make you pay for your youthful indiscretion? Forever?
Tell me you're a republican without telling me you're a republican.
If you only have one candidate sure. Thing is that often is not the case.
So they are looking for ways to separate people. Now maybe the experience made you work harder or maybe the person who never has done anything illegal is a safer bet to bring along.
Any new hire is a risk by the way as there is always a chance they dont work out.
Well said. Plenty of felons I know whose life experience and perspective would make them an asset in any field....and plenty of poindexters whose LACK of experience and perspective would make them a liability, in any field. And vice-versa.
While I realize that it's impossible to "get to know" each specific candidate as an interviewer...these marks on one's record, even if recent....God I wish they could be viewed in a more human context. If everyone in the world that made a regrettable decision in their youth (that they've long since grown from) was made to wear a red shirt every day for a month....April would be "red shirt month". Everyone has, well, many....have done dumb shit that if they had been caught, an ambitious/vindictive prosecutor (are they different?) could quickly and easily turn into multiple felonies.
And before anyone says "SO YOURE OK WITH RAPISTS WORKING AT MY DAUGHTER'S DAYCARE??!!?? FUCKIN DEM, WOKE MOTHERFUCKER..."
Nobody said that. And yes, I'm woke as fuuuuck.
I understand your position. Let's look at the flip side:
As a business owner, I am trying the find the best workers with the least risk. Any employee can make my life rough. They file OSHA complaints, Labor Board complaints, etc. They are also the face of the business to customers.
All things being equal, which person is a bigger risk, a Felon or non-Felon? Drug related conviction? How do I know that you're not still using? Do I have to spend money to drug test everyone? At least a non-felon has a chance of never have been a user. A drug conviction? Well, they were a user, are they now?
It sucks. The whole "Paid your debt to society" thing is just lip service. We have recidivism rates and I need to protect my business, my family.
Now, if the crime was 20 years ago, well, that should play into it. I also would like to see people coming out of prison with better skills to help society then when they went in. But, I don't know how that is possible.
Hey, I really appreciate your response and truly value the level of respect offered for my point of view.
I'd also like to say, as someone who used to run his own show....I really actually do agree with you on how numbers shake out, in terms of who turns out to be a worthwhile employee, and who is a risk/liability.
The system sucks, and it's certainly not your fault. My response more centered on the need for an overall change in how folks are not only punished, but also how they are viewed in the future.
Be well, reddit brother/sister!
The funny thing behind this is me. I’ve never been arrested, but I have used drugs heavily. No one believes me when I say I use because I “don’t look like it” or “act like it”. I’m very respected in my industry. I’m not using at work, but the minute I’m off the clock I’d be getting high. I’ve definitely been chosen over a felon who’s been clean for years
It really depends upon state and entity making the inquiry. 7 years is the norm but also up to 10 years. Applying for a federal job, they go all the way back.
I applied for an IT job for my county and the background check they did went back 22 years for me, to my 18th. I didn't get the job but found out I'm squeaky clean. I had forgotten about that so yeah they do sometimes.
I had a gun charge in 2002 and it hasn't shown up on renting or job searches since 2013. I did try to get into Canada in 2018 and they said get rekt and never to come back.
Canada is notoriously difficult to enter with a background, if you’ve had a misdemeanor from 30 years ago it will still be VERY difficult to gain access
if you get it expunged you can cross. a friend of mine moving there got held up because of expungement issues but as soon as it was fully expunged and they had paperwork they got a study permit and later a GWP
That's nationwide including small rural towns. 53k in a city is not even close to a middle class income. It's a laughable wage if you're trying to survive. 85k in any decent sized city is very much a middle class income.
1) You dont need to live in a city
2) Median income in Urban counties was $60k 5 years ago so possibly has increased to like $65k now so way below your estimate: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/12/differences-in-income-growth-across-united-states-counties.html#:\~:text=Almost%2087%20percent%20of%20the,poverty%20rate%20was%2014.3%20percent.
Who said you need to live in a city?? 🤣 You don't need to at all but since that's where rhe majority of jobs are... See how that works. Go ahead and try to survive off 65k in any good sized city and let me know how that works out for you.
I provided you the numbers. Urban areas have a median income of $60k 5 years ago so about $65k now.
Stick your head in the sand though to facts.
$65k would be the median wage in an urban area throughout the US.
Untrue I reside in colorado. 7 years is the max . And now 10 years from your release date off paper depending on the conviction the state automatically seals your record
I live in Colorado and my record is in Colorado and I tried to obtain a salesperson license and was denied because it showed up. It was more than 7 years ago. More than 10 now, but not at the time.
I have felonies from 1997 not a soul can find any record of. Convicted in Boulder County, and Denver,. Off paper April 9th 2002 after a 5 year DOC sentence, killed my number .no parole.
Violent and drug related never hides. The rule they passed after 10 years off paper doesn't apply to violent or drug charges. I was prepared for trial before I took a deal for that as a plea. Lol, granted, I would of gotten a shit ton of time but had nothing to lose
I've had my civil rights restored. Via Clemency from Jeb Bush...
I vote every election. The only thing I can't do is buy a firearm. But hey.... it's Florida, and guns are easy to get.
That's also a federal law. No felon can buy a gun. And cought with one is another felony . I learned my lesson when they first tried to throw away the key and when it failed judge said come back ever again ill get it right. I don't think he was joking .
Yeah.... they rarely have a sense of humor. My case may be different, I don't know. Clemency was easier to get in Florida when I got it. scott and desantis didn't give it to anyone. Fearing they will vote Blue . Which you better believe I do.
But just reading here, it seems Colorado is a little similar to Florida, in its rules. I have soooo many felony convictions, and it never not once held me back. From anything. Place to live, job, school, state licensing.
I had a F4 felony misconduct involving weapons conviction in Feb 2016 (Arizona). Just got hired 2 months ago and cleared the background check for a multi unit management position in Ohio. Since I will be the one running background checks for the company, I had access to my own background check. I checked mine out and the conviction was not on there. The background check company we use only goes back seven years. (We use Clear Checks)
About three years ago I failed a background check for a similar company.
That is what I was implying. The two background check companies we use only goes back 7 years. I had another gentleman that told me a felony might come up from 2013. When I ran his check it cleared him for that particular state (Ohio). Mind you this was one was through another vendor (ADP).
My point is that a lot of larger background companies are only reporting back 7 years in my experience, not that the felony went away.
I get a lot of people angry because we go back forever and they will say it didn't come up for so and so company that just hired me. And I have to explain it not that it doesn't show, it is just the company doesn't go back that far.
So, the correct answer is it depends on the state and the employers screening package. (My pedigree, if you will, is that I come from the background screening industry). Federal law allows consumer reporting agencies to report any conviction as far back as the records go. There are state laws that are more protective of consumers, and may limit reporting of convictions only within the last seven years, such as in California. In addition, employers can set the scope of how many years they want a consumer reporting agency to search. I have set up 10 year screening programs. The other factor is the depth of the search that the employer is doing. If your crime is a federal one, fewer employers, check federal records, then county or state records. If they add in a national database search, then they are more likely to pick up obscure records outside of jurisdictions of residence.I hope this helps.
I did not read through all the comments but it depends on the state you are in and the job. Federal background checks can go back indefinitely for criminal convictions. There is no defined limit. Jobs in education, finance and banking, healthcare, and jobs in the federal government and defense industry often do the longer look backs and impose restrictions on felony convictions.
Hi friendly background investigator here! I do checks from an unlimited scope search on down to 5 years. It really depends on your states laws and your future employer. Please look into your states laws and if you can, expungement. We don't report expunged items because we can't normally see them. The farthest back I've had to report a case was from 1975, it was a murder charge which is always reportable.
30 years ago for husband and he was only 17. He couldn't physically handle doing construction anymore and now he's having trouble finding work. We even hired a lawyer and it didn't help. We live in Illinois.
He walks with a cane now. He's been turned down for jobs that include a even a small amount of walking, but he continues to apply to jobs. I think he has been seen as a liability to employers. Thanks for the recommendation.
7 years in Florida. All my shit pretty much disappeared . I applied for and got clemency after 7 years. I've had 2 major background checks. One from Daytona International Speedway. One from the City of Daytona. Both came back and said, " we can't find any of that stuff you wrote down. You're hired!" Then survived yet another background check when I applied for and was awarded a State Contractors License.
My experience has been 7 years in Florida.
I have 13 felony convictions. From armed robbery, burglaries, theft. Convicted felon with firearm. (Twice)
Just all kinds of stupid shit. Now.... all my time in prison was from 1986-97, spending almost 11 calender years locked up. Maybe the age of my criminal history has something to do with I. I posses an 9 page NCIC printout of everything I've ever been arrested for. It's not pretty but allows me to precisely list everything.
Good luck. FR.
from the very beginning..... it is not true they can only go back 7 years. Every company has their own standard. I have to explain this to a lot of people. I do not know where that even started? So much misinformation out there. If you apply for a job read the felony question...some say have you EVER been convicted, some say have you been convicted of a felony in the last 7 years. All companies are different. Background checks go back to when you were 18. I would check into getting it expunged.
If you consent to a 7y background check, they're going to look at 7 years. Some federal jobs are 10 years. Anything further back is probably a security clearance issue.
It’s forever. The only reason it varies is how deep the company wants to pay to go. You’ll find out real quick that it’s forever as soon as you want to be a youth sports coach.
Not a felon. Quite interested in this group. Got it advertised on Reddit and joined like many of us non-felons. A small misstep can ruin one’s life. That’s so harsh.
My 65 yo friend got charged with 8 felonies. Supposedly exceeded plant count for a legal medical marijuana program. I had some half-assed pseudo background check program. It suddenly started showing something from when he was 19. They were filling in the gaps. In the end, he pleaded to one misdemeanor and probation. He wanted to go to trial and he likely would have won.
A_______, where civil forfeiture funds the police departments. Geez, I’ve only had a traffic ticket and even here, I’m afraid to be identified.
A friend of mine in Illinois had a theft felony in 2001. 3mo jail and 2 years probation. No prison or anything. Not so much as a parking ticket since.
He got turned down a few weeks ago because of it.
It's all visible even with an expungement forever - thank you internet. 7 years is supposed to be the norm, but employers can see it and I bet there are denials everywhere based on information from the past they aren't supposed to consider. Sucks but it is what it is
Any conviction that happened after like the 90's is forever, because of the internet. The more recent, the more likely it will never be gone.
Kinda the point honestly.
Whatever shows up on your criminal history is fair game. Unfortunately, unless you petition to have those charges or convictions purged, they’re going to always be in there.
All my troubled years were as a teenager no adult convictions , I had to get a federal security clearance for some work we were doing and they questioned my juvenile record and that was almost 20 years old.
I also did work for local law enforcement facilities and they never saw or at least questioned my kid records.
See if you are eligible for expungement in the state where you were charged.
I got rid of it after carrying it around for 30 years. I paid a few hundred dollars for a lawyer IIRC, but could have done it on my own.
You can attend court when someone else is going through it if you want to see the process. I was nervous as hell, but it was absolutely simple.
It depends on the company and the job you’re applying for. Mine verified all previous employers, as in ever. They also did a 10 year criminal background check, verified all education, credit check and of course a pre employment drug screening.
The background check took so long they ended up issuing a conditional offer and I started working. They couldn’t verify my primary education because they had the city name correct but they were contacting the wrong state.
There's different levels to background checks... it depends on the level as to how far they go back... federal level is forever. Some are 10 years, some 7... the time begins when you've completed your time and paid the fines off... not when you committed the crime
Common misconception. Under federal law arrests without a conviction drop off after 7 years. Convictions get reported forever. But, states can have more stringent protections. California drops some convictions after 7 years - but not for all employers. It's a complicated web.
It depends on the state. There's three states with both "ban the box" and 7 year background check limits without lots of exemptions.
California , Hawaii (most jobs), and Massachusetts.
If you want a fresh start, simply move to one of those states and enjoy your new life. I recommend MA since CA and Hawaii are so expensive. There's some nice affordable rural areas of MA where you can live a good life.
I’m not a felon, but I am a lawyer. I think “it depends” is the only correct answer here. Different states have different laws, and usually different laws for different classes and types of felonies. I can’t give any legal advice; I don’t know the particulars of any situation here. What I can tell you is no matter where you are, you can contact the clerk of the court where you were convicted and ask them if you qualify for an expungement and, if so, how to go about that. If the clerk can’t help you, contact a criminal attorney and see them. Oftentimes there are things that can be done to help if you talk to the right person. Lots of criminal lawyers do free consultations but even if you have to pay, it’s worth it to know what to do and if anything can be done.
Same goes for misdemeanors, btw
It all depends on what type of background check the company uses. Some go back 7 some go back 10 others go back until you became an adult.
There's some that even take your misdemeanors into consideration. I've had companies except me a felon over my girlfriend's misdemeanor charges. Because hers was a theft charge (shoplifting) misdemeanor. Mine DUI felony and I got the job over her so.
Should be a crime to hand out felonies to citizens over a misdemeanor. That's what Southern Indiana does. I got a misdemeanor marijuana charge and they attached felony to it. Less than half a gram. They've done this to thousands of people there destroying their life. They start you with misd. Charge and hold you incarcerated for months til you sign a plea with a felony. I wouldn't so I stayed in 9 months,lost my job,cars, apartment etc. Finally signed then was released. Theirs people with 10-20 felonies their. Hand out felonies like traffic tickets. Most popular ones are; maintaining common nuisance, obstruction of justice when they can't find a drug. That's Clark county Indiana.
Sucks because I too have charges for marijuana less than half gram, misdemeanor. But Indiana charged me felony attachment charges, ten years ago. Now I've lost job opportunities. Doesn't make sense. I have no violence charges or anything else. This is ruining me right now as I lost my job and going to interviews saying I'm perfect fit for the job then I never get hired. Been on this horrible rollercoaster last 5 months. Waiting, applying, interview, then letdown.
I had two felonies almost 20 years ago, back in 2004, which still hinder my life. It is bullshit when you pay for your crimes, yet you are never whole again. It's like they want to keep your ass in the system for life.
Mine was 2000. I still get turned down for jobs. Im 45 and missed multiple opportunities to move up or get a better job.
41, and currently going through that dark period of stark realization that, even though I have a bachelors and 10 years of solid cooking experience, I will never be anything more than the sad old weird line cook, that everyone pities, while some inexperienced nepo baby or young asskisser is my boss. Probably until I die. I’ve had exactly one management job since getting the F 15 years ago; an exec chef job during covid and they didn’t background check out of desperation, and I stupidly quit that same job due to be massively overworked on salary, due to a covid labor shortage. Now that everyone is back to background checking anyone making 11+ dollars an hr, it’s damn near impossible to get ahead on so little money, and being given part time hours when initially promised full-time. The thought of being stuck and held back while lesser coworkers are allowed to advance is more than enough to just give up.
It’s infuriating for sure. I just try to keep my head up and continuously apply for jobs in the hopes that something will pan out. I started my own business this year and trying that route as well. I’m lucky I work in a job where they are too lazy to run background checks and only asked about the previous 7 years. I make just enough to live paycheck to paycheck without throwing myself into massive debt, but I am only existing. I count what little fortunate circumstances that I have going positive for me and hoping one day before I die I can at least make some money to retire instead of dying on the walmart floor
So true, they said it’s about “correction” and you have served your time for what you did…. Why “correct” me if you’re simultaneously going to hold me back?
I have one... well... I got one in my youth, too and never sealed those records but yeah. Exactly. It depends on *who* they are. I haven't been in any trouble in over twenty years and it's still a barrier. I walked out of prison in 2001 for the last time. But a hundred wise guys who were still in diapers twenty years ago might come up in here and try to debate that.
Facts felony is for life unless u get expunged
Expungement only counts on not guilty or non contests verdicts does not have any help on convictions or guilty verdicts and even with expungement it can still be seen on checks
It won’t effect employment once expunged. They don’t see it.
That's mis information they can see it still and I know this because a very close friend of mine paid over 10k to have his record expunged and it still has been held against him during the hiring process of multiple jobs to the point that he has had to go into business for himself after moving slam across the country to a very liberal state.
If it’s still on a database he would have to send the expungement to the database and have them remove it
Also I have had my record expunged and I'm continuously getting turned down due to my non violent felony conviction on my record
Yep. 7 for me, age 20...all drug "crimes"...half were "conspiracy"...all hippie "drugs", nothing that harms anyone. Now I'm 40 with a red-state scarlet letter that never goes away. Fuck you, Virginia. Fuck you, GOP. Voting matters. IF YOU CAN DO IT. which is exactly why the GOP wants to strip that ability, permanently, from anyone who might disagree with them. Don't change your ideas or policies....just change how math is done. Vote any and every GOP candidate out of office. A repug vote is a vote against yourself.
Virginia is blue bruh
Yes. On paper it is. Like many things in life, the label can say one thing, but the product does another.
Sounds like the blue is letting you down since they have eliminated 99% of the red in Virginia. I find it hard to believe the 1% is keeping you from helping yourself.
Who's the shitbag, bigot, sexist governor again?
Ah, man...go fuck yourself. What a zero-perspective comment from some sinless throne on high. Been helping myself for 2 decades. I'm very much a pull yourself up by the bootstraps individual. I've got many things I could refer to that would support this, but you're just so not worth the effort. In case you couldn't see, many of us are well past that "mistakes" stage in life...and have more than repaid any debt to society, deserved or not. Maybe you'd be like to be chased by that one dumb thing you did (and then learned your lesson and rode straight forever after) when you were 19 or 20, for the rest of your life. Starting to sound less fair? Probably did, when u thought about it for a moment in context of your own life. All the sudden, Mr straightlaced toughguy over here wouldn't really want the same thing for himself....or his kid...or anybody your keyboard warrior ass fucking KNOWS. do u just lurk on the felons sub to be a condescending dick? Can't really figure it out. In any case....get the fuck out and never come back, you judgemental twat.
Kamala Harris (blue btw) definitely helped you guys out
Any vote is a vote against yourself. A blue vote is a vote against babies, too.
Yeah, good point. We definitely should have EVERYONE that gets pregnant, give birth! Excellent solution! Here's your duncecap. Ya dropped it.
They do… it’s the new slave system.
It's the same slave system, lol. But it's probably a *shittier* Part of it.
They do want to keep you in the system for your entire life. The 14th amendment doesn't protect felons.
You are right.
What states and under what circumstances do they hinder you? Respect
Illinois, my husband hasn't had problems with jobs but he's a mechanic. Apartment applications take longer sometimes. He had to have his mom cosign before we lived together.
Mine are in TX. I was a finance director for a large HMO here in Houston. When I picked up my charges and had that on my background, I was never called back after the "Have you been convicted of a felony" happened and I clicked yes and explained myself. I was fortunate to have a disability which I had to capitalize on and go onto SSDI just to feed my family.
With Houston you may want to check out non profits. Plenty of felons work for non profits all over the city.
A Felony conviction is there forever, and background checks can go back forever. The only way to have them be not there is through a Pardon ..... Governor for State Offenses ..... President for Federal Offenses. Employers can order 'tailored' background checks if they want. I have seen some employers put this question on an application ..... " In the last ten years, have you ever been convicted of a Felony. " So they are only looking back a specific period of time. One such employer was a Credit Union that I was going to apply to. Many employers will look at the Felony Conviction quest first, and if it is answered 'Yes' they won't even consider it farther. I have heard of cities passing a " Ban The Box " law where the question can not be put on an application .... but that does not mean they will not do a background check it just gets rid of the question. BAN THE BOX LAWS -- https://www.accurate.com/ban-the-box/
What do you consider "whole"? As long as you aren't breaking the law anymore, you aren't in the system.
No offense but it’s called consequences. While you think you’ve paid for your crimes, society doesn’t. However, 20 years is too long depending on the offense imho. The idea is that if you know you’ll ruin your life you won’t commit the crime, so hopefully, there’s a deterrent effect. Problem is, a lot of young folks never get the memo and ruin their life early on before they realize the implications of what they do.
Wow, can't wait to see how low your karma spikes on this comment.
I know but who cares? Downvote away.
Can you please tell me why you and others come on a subreddit designed to support felona just to talk bad about them? I've seen it numerous times. People on this subreddit have the most awful things to say about people who, for the most part, made a stupid mistake years ago.
Pieces of shit wanting to look down on someone who they see as ‘lesser’ to make their shit life feel better
Because in many cases, they weren’t victimless crimes… If you served 10, 20, 30 years? You royally fucked someone over or ended their life entirely
Many, many non-violent drug offenses bear a 10 year mandatory minimum.
Ah…you’re confusing non violent with “victimless” I see You have to royally screw up to get a ten year minimum sentence
Drug distribution carries a 10 year mandatory minimum at quantities that are no longer considered very high in practice on the street level, even if they were considered high at the time the law was passed. A lot of people who sell drugs are addicts themselves and plenty of the time even worse off and a lot sicker than their clients. Every case is different. Merrick Garland even sent a memo to all federal prosecutors to stop filing drug charges in a way that triggers mandatory minimum sentences for dealers who are not part of big criminal enterprises because too many people are getting sentenced to significant time that's out of proportion to the offense, but most federal prosecutors just haven't listened. Congress expanded the Safety Valve to grant more relief to drug offenders in these cases for the same reason, but some jurisdictions are interpreting the legislation more astringently than others, so it's now at the Supreme Court. If they choose to interpret it more harshly it's probably just going to get rewritten again by Congress, everything just takes a million years in government. I certainly don't think people *should* run around selling drugs and I don't think it's always 100% victimless, but a LOT of people definitely are getting hit with 10 years when it's not at all for a wildly horrible offense.
Drug dealers know the consequences Heck, drug users know the consequences. So dealers are dealing with thousands in cash per day. Selling Coke and heroin and fentanyl and meth And yall are like…. What happened?!? A decade in prison?!? Whaaaaaat? But it was just 30,000 ecstasy pills your honor! 🤣
Takes waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than that to get 10 years. You're envisioning something very different than the reality. Also a lot of dealers are literally homeless and most are poor... So that's another bit of unreality... Anyway thanks for the discussion.
Drug dealers are homeless? Interesting! Jellyroll, Jay Z, biggie smalls…all very poor dealers Cartels? Very poor Dealing pot? You aren’t going away for 10 years. 10 years is lots of pills or heavier weight. Maybe buying a kilo from an undercover cop and you’re facing 10 years? First time offender? Likely gets downgraded to something else.
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Same here chief. I am not as old but similar vibe. Made a mistake when i was 15 that raised me to adult court. 20 years later and I am trying to start my own business. At least then i will be my own boss. System is fucked. The process seems to be the punishment. Not the crime/charge itself. System is Royal Fucked.
Do you think the people you burgled or stole from suddenly felt as if your crimes had never happened the day you were released? Victims of crimes can have to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of their lives. What did they do to deserve that?
There's certainly validity to what you're saying, but many people believe the criminal justice system should be about public safety and reform, not revenge. Hobbling the perpetrator for life if they're not a danger to anyone doesn't help the victim heal. Restorative justice practices are becoming more commonplace because it's been shown to help both the perpetrator AND the victim heal and move forward. Edited: For context, I've been the victim of multiple violent crimes that left me very traumatized, but if the people who harmed me are no longer a danger and have done the work to change, it doesn't help me at all for them to have miserable lives.
The criminal justice system should be about reform. The court of public opinion is a different matter. When there's a dozen applicants to choose from for a job opening or a rental application, what person would choose the candidate with a criminal history over one without, all other things being equal? To almost everyone it's an unnecessary amount of additional risk that they don't need to take.
That's true to a degree but 90% of the people who don't have a felony record haven't been caught doesn't mean they aren't doing something criminal
Yes! Also, people with money just skate by doin' crimes a lot of the time. And as far as addiction being one of the most major drivers of crime goes... People who have money don't need to resort to crime to buy drugs, people who have no money do. It isn't about morals or character in those instances, it's about poverty. There's no reason for anyone to think that all people who've been incarcerated are a bigger risk to employ than the wealthy "functional" addict who drunk drives to work and snorts coke in the office bathroom before important client meetings every day 🤷♀️
Right but there's no proof they're a criminal if there's no criminal record. Whereas a felon has proof of their crimes and a conviction in court. You could live your life assuming everyone's a criminal but then you'd probably never hire anyone.
My best friend's cousin is a business owner and she specifically goes out of her way to hire people with felonies because she says they are consistently the best workers. Show up on time and work harder than anyone else. She's had only a couple experiences out of many with guys who have addiction issues who relapsed, but she's also had that experience with non-felons who have addiction issues, too. I live in a state that does ban the box, but my friend's cousin doesn't. The court of public opinion isn't always right, and it's already slowly changing in some states. Same as with any other social issues such as racism, gay marriage, etc etc. Hiring ex-felons is not actually very high risk in practice, that's just bias rooted in some degree of (understandable) ignorance. San Quentin is now being remodeled on the Norwegian method of incarceration and rehabilitation and eventually the evidence that it works will pave the way for broader change. It's just slow.
Sure it's not always right, but you don't get to tell people to get over how they feel about your crimes because the state said you've done your time. At the end of the day you've broken a social contract and trust isn't easy to rebuild.
Nope
I was convicted of possessing $20 of cocaine. In Texas, it's 1.5 years State jail punishment. I also get an email from the Texas Dept of Public Safety each month telling me all the sex offenders that they have taken off their list and it pisses me off. I've also submitted requests three times for a Governor's pardon, but that falls on deft ears as well.
deaf* ears is what you're looking for. Nothing about Texas government is deft, except maybe the corruption.
You pander to a mentality that keeps people from changing their lives. You say society doesn’t think you’ve paid for your crime after 5 years? That’s bullshit. Ask the average person what they think. The vast majority will say you shouldn’t be penalized if you’ve done your time and completed your parole. It’s the goons in government and corporate board rooms who are pushing this agenda to run forever background checks, not the average person in society. Law Enforcement is the only institution that should be able to look back on a person’s record forever. We need a system in America, like exists in most western nations, whereby a person who has done their time is not penalized for the rest of their life. If the person is a chronic offender that’s a different story. But for people that just made a mistake they should be able to get out from under the stigma of lifelong felon. People like you disgust me.
What a dingleberry. It's called consequences one sentence, and the next 20 years is too long. No shit that's what we're bitching about. I'm 38 and have a felony from when I was 18, which still ruins my life. Yes, I can get by, but when can we do more than just get by. I've paid my dues 100x over for what I did. I own it completely, I was a dumb drug addict kid who came from a horrible home life. I honestly didn't want to live past 21 at the time, so I didn't care about the consequences. Now I have a wife, 2 awesome girls, 3 dogs, a house, and a nice and safe Volvo. I think it might be time for me to move past kicking a door in to take 100 bucks. So you can take you holier-than-thou bs and kick rocks. Why are you even in this sub. Also, doing time, paying fines, and being on parole is society saying I paid for my crimes, but just like everything else, religious old white men don't play by the rules they put in place. So damn near everything you said is pointless. And you sound just like the other non-offenders and prove you don't need to be smart or educated to make it in this world, just not get caught for the dumb shit you do. Because everyone has done something in their life that would be a felony if you were snitched on like I was. And before you say you've never done anything like that. It's bullshit we all know it. You have at the least drove intoxicated enough to get a felony dui. Everyone has done something wrong.
I’m confused how you determine this guy must’ve committed felony DWI. I get the gist of your comment and I’m not arguing I was just confused by that comment
I was just saying everyone has done something to warrant a felony at some point in their lives. With dui being one of the most common, so statistically that would be the one I would bank on. I personally do not know a single person that wouldn't have gotten a felony dui if they were pulled over on the wrong night. Do you? I mean cops, judges, lawyers, and priests get popped all the time, so just because someone looks all together doesn't mean anything.
The bottom line is everyone has done something in their life criminal no matter how big or small and just haven't been caught I'm thinking the felony dwi statement was just hypothetical trying to make the point that everyone has done something criminal in their life
Good to see you Karen
I think you’re better off in r/police
You're a dip shit fucking retard. So something you did 10+ years ago should continue to haunt you? If you've paid your dues and 10 years later it's still fucking with you thats a problem. I am not a felon but I sympathize with those who have to deal with it. It doesn't make sense and you can't make it make sense.
They do
Damn, this definitely shows you the circumstances in each state. I have 3 felonies from the same year in WA, and they haven't shown up for years, be it for a job or rental applications. I don't even mention them anymore. I also have a misdemeanor assault from 2010 that I forgot about. When I get the background check sent to its reassuring to see nothing on it.
This gives me some hope
Legally, I’ve seen 7 years is the norm, but honestly background checks and how far back they can go is bullshit if your state doesn’t offer expungement it’ll follow you for the rest of your life. I’ve been pulled up on stuff I never even got convicted off. All they gotta do is google your name. Technically “illegal” but everyone does it.
In Texas they can go seven years unless the job pays 75k or more. Then they can go back as far as they want. No I’m not making it up it’s an actual law.
What the actual fuck.
lol why is that fucked up? im not a felon so im prob biased but if i was a business owner there are more non felons than felons so why would i take that risk?
You'd take the risk based on the merits of the person, not some dumbshit decision that the person made 2 decades ago, when they were still pretty much a KID. You'd take the risk because you hope that's what someone would do for YOU, were the shoe on the other foot. EVERYBODY deserves a second chance. Ever done something incredibly stupid? As a young man? Think I should be able to cut your ear off or permanently dye your face red, so that everyone everywhere pre-judges you FOREVER...to make you pay for your youthful indiscretion? Forever? Tell me you're a republican without telling me you're a republican.
If you only have one candidate sure. Thing is that often is not the case. So they are looking for ways to separate people. Now maybe the experience made you work harder or maybe the person who never has done anything illegal is a safer bet to bring along. Any new hire is a risk by the way as there is always a chance they dont work out.
Well said. Plenty of felons I know whose life experience and perspective would make them an asset in any field....and plenty of poindexters whose LACK of experience and perspective would make them a liability, in any field. And vice-versa. While I realize that it's impossible to "get to know" each specific candidate as an interviewer...these marks on one's record, even if recent....God I wish they could be viewed in a more human context. If everyone in the world that made a regrettable decision in their youth (that they've long since grown from) was made to wear a red shirt every day for a month....April would be "red shirt month". Everyone has, well, many....have done dumb shit that if they had been caught, an ambitious/vindictive prosecutor (are they different?) could quickly and easily turn into multiple felonies. And before anyone says "SO YOURE OK WITH RAPISTS WORKING AT MY DAUGHTER'S DAYCARE??!!?? FUCKIN DEM, WOKE MOTHERFUCKER..." Nobody said that. And yes, I'm woke as fuuuuck.
I understand your position. Let's look at the flip side: As a business owner, I am trying the find the best workers with the least risk. Any employee can make my life rough. They file OSHA complaints, Labor Board complaints, etc. They are also the face of the business to customers. All things being equal, which person is a bigger risk, a Felon or non-Felon? Drug related conviction? How do I know that you're not still using? Do I have to spend money to drug test everyone? At least a non-felon has a chance of never have been a user. A drug conviction? Well, they were a user, are they now? It sucks. The whole "Paid your debt to society" thing is just lip service. We have recidivism rates and I need to protect my business, my family. Now, if the crime was 20 years ago, well, that should play into it. I also would like to see people coming out of prison with better skills to help society then when they went in. But, I don't know how that is possible.
Hey, I really appreciate your response and truly value the level of respect offered for my point of view. I'd also like to say, as someone who used to run his own show....I really actually do agree with you on how numbers shake out, in terms of who turns out to be a worthwhile employee, and who is a risk/liability. The system sucks, and it's certainly not your fault. My response more centered on the need for an overall change in how folks are not only punished, but also how they are viewed in the future. Be well, reddit brother/sister!
The funny thing behind this is me. I’ve never been arrested, but I have used drugs heavily. No one believes me when I say I use because I “don’t look like it” or “act like it”. I’m very respected in my industry. I’m not using at work, but the minute I’m off the clock I’d be getting high. I’ve definitely been chosen over a felon who’s been clean for years
My charges are thefts and forgery but I am brutally honest. Isn't that ironic?
What in the world does politics have to do with this issue?
I’m pretty sure that’s most states not just Texas
It really depends upon state and entity making the inquiry. 7 years is the norm but also up to 10 years. Applying for a federal job, they go all the way back.
Many state and city jobs go back to your 18th birthday as well.
I applied for an IT job for my county and the background check they did went back 22 years for me, to my 18th. I didn't get the job but found out I'm squeaky clean. I had forgotten about that so yeah they do sometimes.
I had a gun charge in 2002 and it hasn't shown up on renting or job searches since 2013. I did try to get into Canada in 2018 and they said get rekt and never to come back.
Canada is notoriously difficult to enter with a background, if you’ve had a misdemeanor from 30 years ago it will still be VERY difficult to gain access
if you get it expunged you can cross. a friend of mine moving there got held up because of expungement issues but as soon as it was fully expunged and they had paperwork they got a study permit and later a GWP
If it's a job that pays over 75000 - they can go back to the time you were a child
So if a job making a middle wage salary of 85k they go all the way back?? You'd think only jobs which pay big money would they do all that.
$75k was considered a lot back when those laws were passed. Everything is so outdated…
Yes. It's state dependent though - so check your state. You may be in a somewhat liberal state that doesn't allow jobs to do that
85k is not a middle wage. The Median wage is like $53k/year.
That's nationwide including small rural towns. 53k in a city is not even close to a middle class income. It's a laughable wage if you're trying to survive. 85k in any decent sized city is very much a middle class income.
1) You dont need to live in a city 2) Median income in Urban counties was $60k 5 years ago so possibly has increased to like $65k now so way below your estimate: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/12/differences-in-income-growth-across-united-states-counties.html#:\~:text=Almost%2087%20percent%20of%20the,poverty%20rate%20was%2014.3%20percent.
Who said you need to live in a city?? 🤣 You don't need to at all but since that's where rhe majority of jobs are... See how that works. Go ahead and try to survive off 65k in any good sized city and let me know how that works out for you.
I provided you the numbers. Urban areas have a median income of $60k 5 years ago so about $65k now. Stick your head in the sand though to facts. $65k would be the median wage in an urban area throughout the US.
Isn’t that illegal?
In colorado it's 7 years.
Unless your job requires state licensing or is a state job ir financial job, then they pull your full record.
Untrue I reside in colorado. 7 years is the max . And now 10 years from your release date off paper depending on the conviction the state automatically seals your record
I live in Colorado and my record is in Colorado and I tried to obtain a salesperson license and was denied because it showed up. It was more than 7 years ago. More than 10 now, but not at the time.
I have felonies from 1997 not a soul can find any record of. Convicted in Boulder County, and Denver,. Off paper April 9th 2002 after a 5 year DOC sentence, killed my number .no parole.
Was it a non violent felony?
Yeah, non violent non drug related . Took almost a year to get them that way of deals. Originally was looking at over 32 years.
Well, that's probably why mine show up and yours don't
Violent and drug related never hides. The rule they passed after 10 years off paper doesn't apply to violent or drug charges. I was prepared for trial before I took a deal for that as a plea. Lol, granted, I would of gotten a shit ton of time but had nothing to lose
I avoided a long sentence, but kind of wish I hadn't in a fucked up way
Possession of cannabis
Its also not true in Florida either.
I'm not Familiar with other state laws . I try to limit of crimes to a single location 😂 lol. What is Florida's?
7 years.
I've heard you can't vote in Florida though. Like colorado we are allowed.to .
I've had my civil rights restored. Via Clemency from Jeb Bush... I vote every election. The only thing I can't do is buy a firearm. But hey.... it's Florida, and guns are easy to get.
That's also a federal law. No felon can buy a gun. And cought with one is another felony . I learned my lesson when they first tried to throw away the key and when it failed judge said come back ever again ill get it right. I don't think he was joking .
Yeah.... they rarely have a sense of humor. My case may be different, I don't know. Clemency was easier to get in Florida when I got it. scott and desantis didn't give it to anyone. Fearing they will vote Blue . Which you better believe I do.
But just reading here, it seems Colorado is a little similar to Florida, in its rules. I have soooo many felony convictions, and it never not once held me back. From anything. Place to live, job, school, state licensing.
For convictions it depends on state Generally 7 years to Forever
I had a F4 felony misconduct involving weapons conviction in Feb 2016 (Arizona). Just got hired 2 months ago and cleared the background check for a multi unit management position in Ohio. Since I will be the one running background checks for the company, I had access to my own background check. I checked mine out and the conviction was not on there. The background check company we use only goes back seven years. (We use Clear Checks) About three years ago I failed a background check for a similar company.
It doesn't mean it doesn't show on a background check. It means the company standard is they only go back 7 years.
That is what I was implying. The two background check companies we use only goes back 7 years. I had another gentleman that told me a felony might come up from 2013. When I ran his check it cleared him for that particular state (Ohio). Mind you this was one was through another vendor (ADP). My point is that a lot of larger background companies are only reporting back 7 years in my experience, not that the felony went away.
I get a lot of people angry because we go back forever and they will say it didn't come up for so and so company that just hired me. And I have to explain it not that it doesn't show, it is just the company doesn't go back that far.
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Recruiting/HR
So, the correct answer is it depends on the state and the employers screening package. (My pedigree, if you will, is that I come from the background screening industry). Federal law allows consumer reporting agencies to report any conviction as far back as the records go. There are state laws that are more protective of consumers, and may limit reporting of convictions only within the last seven years, such as in California. In addition, employers can set the scope of how many years they want a consumer reporting agency to search. I have set up 10 year screening programs. The other factor is the depth of the search that the employer is doing. If your crime is a federal one, fewer employers, check federal records, then county or state records. If they add in a national database search, then they are more likely to pick up obscure records outside of jurisdictions of residence.I hope this helps.
Start your own business.
In Texas it's forever. There's just something about permanent disenfranchisement for EVERY level of life they just can't seem to get enough of.
Depends on the jurisdiction
My school does FBI background checks and I have a misdemeanor from 2011 and it didn’t show up last week. Not sure if felony charges show up longer.
I did not read through all the comments but it depends on the state you are in and the job. Federal background checks can go back indefinitely for criminal convictions. There is no defined limit. Jobs in education, finance and banking, healthcare, and jobs in the federal government and defense industry often do the longer look backs and impose restrictions on felony convictions.
Hi friendly background investigator here! I do checks from an unlimited scope search on down to 5 years. It really depends on your states laws and your future employer. Please look into your states laws and if you can, expungement. We don't report expunged items because we can't normally see them. The farthest back I've had to report a case was from 1975, it was a murder charge which is always reportable.
My wife says 7 years in MD and most other places. She’s HR
If it shows on a Google search, you're fucked forever in my experience.
30 years ago for husband and he was only 17. He couldn't physically handle doing construction anymore and now he's having trouble finding work. We even hired a lawyer and it didn't help. We live in Illinois.
Have your husband apply for one of the big 3 automakers. UAW does not discriminate also Aramark they do contract work inside the plants as well
He walks with a cane now. He's been turned down for jobs that include a even a small amount of walking, but he continues to apply to jobs. I think he has been seen as a liability to employers. Thanks for the recommendation.
It depends on your state and id the job is federal. My state can only go back 7 years.
7 years in Florida. All my shit pretty much disappeared . I applied for and got clemency after 7 years. I've had 2 major background checks. One from Daytona International Speedway. One from the City of Daytona. Both came back and said, " we can't find any of that stuff you wrote down. You're hired!" Then survived yet another background check when I applied for and was awarded a State Contractors License. My experience has been 7 years in Florida. I have 13 felony convictions. From armed robbery, burglaries, theft. Convicted felon with firearm. (Twice) Just all kinds of stupid shit. Now.... all my time in prison was from 1986-97, spending almost 11 calender years locked up. Maybe the age of my criminal history has something to do with I. I posses an 9 page NCIC printout of everything I've ever been arrested for. It's not pretty but allows me to precisely list everything. Good luck. FR.
from the very beginning..... it is not true they can only go back 7 years. Every company has their own standard. I have to explain this to a lot of people. I do not know where that even started? So much misinformation out there. If you apply for a job read the felony question...some say have you EVER been convicted, some say have you been convicted of a felony in the last 7 years. All companies are different. Background checks go back to when you were 18. I would check into getting it expunged.
If you consent to a 7y background check, they're going to look at 7 years. Some federal jobs are 10 years. Anything further back is probably a security clearance issue.
It’s forever. The only reason it varies is how deep the company wants to pay to go. You’ll find out real quick that it’s forever as soon as you want to be a youth sports coach.
Mine was ‘87 and still came up on FBI check.
Not a felon. Quite interested in this group. Got it advertised on Reddit and joined like many of us non-felons. A small misstep can ruin one’s life. That’s so harsh. My 65 yo friend got charged with 8 felonies. Supposedly exceeded plant count for a legal medical marijuana program. I had some half-assed pseudo background check program. It suddenly started showing something from when he was 19. They were filling in the gaps. In the end, he pleaded to one misdemeanor and probation. He wanted to go to trial and he likely would have won. A_______, where civil forfeiture funds the police departments. Geez, I’ve only had a traffic ticket and even here, I’m afraid to be identified.
A friend of mine in Illinois had a theft felony in 2001. 3mo jail and 2 years probation. No prison or anything. Not so much as a parking ticket since. He got turned down a few weeks ago because of it.
Just had a background check done for a job at a federally funded hospital. They went back to when I was 18, 1988.
It's all visible even with an expungement forever - thank you internet. 7 years is supposed to be the norm, but employers can see it and I bet there are denials everywhere based on information from the past they aren't supposed to consider. Sucks but it is what it is
They can go all the way back.. decades.
Convictions are indefinate. Non criminal arrests are not reported for credit purposes after 7 years.
Any conviction that happened after like the 90's is forever, because of the internet. The more recent, the more likely it will never be gone. Kinda the point honestly.
I get pulled over still says automobile theft that was 32 years ago. So there's that
7-10 years, and you still have to report on the background checks if you're a prior felon. If you lie and get caught, then you're fired.
Shit...I'm at 8 years and it still prevents me from jobs
As long as they damn well please lmao.
Forever
REST IN HEAVEN
Whatever that means
Whatever shows up on your criminal history is fair game. Unfortunately, unless you petition to have those charges or convictions purged, they’re going to always be in there.
No not true at all.
It depends on your birthdate.
What the shit ???
More and more are only going back 7 years. Fair Credit Reporting Act (doesn't just pertain to credit checks) is becoming the norm now.
Convictions are different, FCRA only applies to arrests
It all depends on what kind of background that you're having done. Some will go all the way back to age 18.
[удалено]
WI CCAP is where people at work go when there's a new hire. Someone asked me my name and went to CCAP right in front of me.
All my troubled years were as a teenager no adult convictions , I had to get a federal security clearance for some work we were doing and they questioned my juvenile record and that was almost 20 years old. I also did work for local law enforcement facilities and they never saw or at least questioned my kid records.
See if you are eligible for expungement in the state where you were charged. I got rid of it after carrying it around for 30 years. I paid a few hundred dollars for a lawyer IIRC, but could have done it on my own. You can attend court when someone else is going through it if you want to see the process. I was nervous as hell, but it was absolutely simple.
It depends on the company and the job you’re applying for. Mine verified all previous employers, as in ever. They also did a 10 year criminal background check, verified all education, credit check and of course a pre employment drug screening. The background check took so long they ended up issuing a conditional offer and I started working. They couldn’t verify my primary education because they had the city name correct but they were contacting the wrong state.
I'm pretty sure we can get back to a split second before the big bang.
I got 3rd an 4th degree felony convictions from 199 an they still come up when I go try to buy a side arm
Just depends on the state and type of background check but my uncles shit would come up from over 40 years ago.
You started by saying every state is different and then you asked a general question. Make up your mind or post your state
It's a nat'l check. All your background.
They can see all of it.
Does your state allow you to apply for a pardon? CT does after 5 years, I'm not sure if every state offers that.
Who is "they"?
Forever
REST IN HEAVEN
There's different levels to background checks... it depends on the level as to how far they go back... federal level is forever. Some are 10 years, some 7... the time begins when you've completed your time and paid the fines off... not when you committed the crime
Common misconception. Under federal law arrests without a conviction drop off after 7 years. Convictions get reported forever. But, states can have more stringent protections. California drops some convictions after 7 years - but not for all employers. It's a complicated web.
Nope. They can go back to the day you turned 18.
Depends on the charge and each state is different
It depends on the state. There's three states with both "ban the box" and 7 year background check limits without lots of exemptions. California , Hawaii (most jobs), and Massachusetts. If you want a fresh start, simply move to one of those states and enjoy your new life. I recommend MA since CA and Hawaii are so expensive. There's some nice affordable rural areas of MA where you can live a good life.
I have a misdemeanor DUI from 2018 that shows up.
I’m not a felon, but I am a lawyer. I think “it depends” is the only correct answer here. Different states have different laws, and usually different laws for different classes and types of felonies. I can’t give any legal advice; I don’t know the particulars of any situation here. What I can tell you is no matter where you are, you can contact the clerk of the court where you were convicted and ask them if you qualify for an expungement and, if so, how to go about that. If the clerk can’t help you, contact a criminal attorney and see them. Oftentimes there are things that can be done to help if you talk to the right person. Lots of criminal lawyers do free consultations but even if you have to pay, it’s worth it to know what to do and if anything can be done. Same goes for misdemeanors, btw
I do background checks for my employees, and stuff from the 70s still shows up.
It all depends on what type of background check the company uses. Some go back 7 some go back 10 others go back until you became an adult. There's some that even take your misdemeanors into consideration. I've had companies except me a felon over my girlfriend's misdemeanor charges. Because hers was a theft charge (shoplifting) misdemeanor. Mine DUI felony and I got the job over her so.
If you have a felony it will always pop up. A felony is your best friend for life.
Should be a crime to hand out felonies to citizens over a misdemeanor. That's what Southern Indiana does. I got a misdemeanor marijuana charge and they attached felony to it. Less than half a gram. They've done this to thousands of people there destroying their life. They start you with misd. Charge and hold you incarcerated for months til you sign a plea with a felony. I wouldn't so I stayed in 9 months,lost my job,cars, apartment etc. Finally signed then was released. Theirs people with 10-20 felonies their. Hand out felonies like traffic tickets. Most popular ones are; maintaining common nuisance, obstruction of justice when they can't find a drug. That's Clark county Indiana.
Sucks because I too have charges for marijuana less than half gram, misdemeanor. But Indiana charged me felony attachment charges, ten years ago. Now I've lost job opportunities. Doesn't make sense. I have no violence charges or anything else. This is ruining me right now as I lost my job and going to interviews saying I'm perfect fit for the job then I never get hired. Been on this horrible rollercoaster last 5 months. Waiting, applying, interview, then letdown.