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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Shoplifting and Seeking a Pardon or Expungement

    Hi,
    I am a 23 year old Pennsylvania resident, recently graduated college and am currently looking for a job. About 2 years ago I was caught shoplifting in a Target. This was my first and only offense. I was stopped by an employee, taken into a security room and then the police came. The cost of the item I took was $38. When the policeman came he told me I should just plead guily and after a few months the charges would go away. I believed him naively and pled guilty. He gave me a non-traffic citation/summons and I was allowed to leave. A few days after I recieved a letter from Target demanding I pay a fine. I payed it. Then I had to go to the Police Dept. to be fingerprinted. I did that also and that was that. I never went to court because I was never asked to. Now I am looking for a job and am worried that this might harm my chances of getting one. I am aware that in order to get this off my record I must get a Governor's Pardon and then an Expungement. I am currently waiting to recieve a criminal history check, which is required in the pardon application. Here are my questions:

    1) How long is the process of getting a pardon and expungement?
    2) What are the chances I get a pardon, since this is a lesser misdemeanor and my only one?
    3) Will employers not hire me because of this? I am not seeking a job in the criminal justice, law or education fields (I would imagine they would be tougher).
    4) Basically, do you think its worth it or can I get a job without going through all this?


    I am very regretful for having done this. It was a stupid and juvenille thing to do, and just plain not worth it. I learned my lesson and am just hoping I can move forward and put this behind me. Thanks for any help you can give me.

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Shoplifting - Seeking Pardon/Expungement

    1) How long is the process of getting a pardon and expungement?
    consult an Attorney but I believe the incident must be several years old

    2) What are the chances I get a pardon, since this is a lesser misdemeanor and my only one?
    consult an Attorney

    3) Will employers not hire me because of this? I am not seeking a job in the criminal justice, law or education fields (I would imagine they would be tougher).
    If a potential employer runs a background check or you dislcose the info (required on most job applications) it can seriously impair your chances of being hired

    4) Basically, do you think its worth it or can I get a job without going through all this?
    It will be in your best interest to at least look in this as your target jobs will most likely include criminal background checks

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Shoplifting - Seeking Pardon/Expungement

    Thanks for your imput panther. Couple more questions:

    1) I read in another thread that employers cannot discriminate against you for having a misdemeanor conviction. Is this false or does it not apply in Pennsylvania?
    2) You said consult a lawyer. As I do not have a job, Im low on money. How much are the lawyer fees for something like this?

    Also....
    If there is anyone out there who has gone through the process of pardon & expungement or knows of it, could you tell me about how long does the process take. I need to find a job soon and really want to get this taken care of ASAP. I have already waited 6 weeks to get a copy of my permanent record. I really want to speed this process up, but dont know how. Thanks!

  4. #4
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Shoplifting - Seeking Pardon/Expungement

    1) I read in another thread that employers cannot discriminate against you for having a misdemeanor conviction. Is this false or does it not apply in Pennsylvania
    Discrimnation is for protected classes mostly thieves ar enot a prtected class (no offense intended). I fyou were an employer would you not give some extra thought to hiring a known thief? There is nothing illegal about not hiring a thief.

    2) You said consult a lawyer. As I do not have a job, Im low on money. How much are the lawyer fees for something like this?
    I have no clue what the fees would be. However find some Attorenys who will grant a free ofice visit. Then yu can discuss process and fees

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Shoplifting - Seeking Pardon/Expungement


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