Background Check Across States

[henry82]

I was driving through Nevada 4 years ago, and received a misdemeanor for possession under an ounce. I live in Arizona (and have never lived in Nevada), and am trying to get a new job which has asked to conduct a background check. It seems that most background checks are only concerned with the subject's state of residence. I've also read that minor offenses in Nevada get dropped after 3 years. Will my misdemeanor in Nevada from 4 years ago come back to haunt me?

[cbg]

That depends entirely on how deep a background check a prospective employer decides to do. All background checks are not created equal.

I can tell you one thing though. If you are completing an application or are in an interview, and if a question is asked to which a truthful and literal answer would mean revealing this conviction and you do not, should the employer ever learn of it (which is much easier than you might think) whether before or after hire, you can count on either immediately being put in the do not hire list, or fired, whichever is appropriate.

Many employers will forgive a single minor offense. Few if any will forgive being lied to.