Help With a Background Check and Questionnaire

[michres]

I am currently on probation with the HYTA program in Michigan for a felony charge. I have received an offer for full time employment on the west coast. They have asked me whether or not I have been charged with a felony. How should I answer this?

I know that they can't find out about any conviction b/c of the pre-trial diversion program, but what about charges? I have checked my record at both the state police and the local courthouse, and nothing shows up.

My final concern is that there was a newspaper article detailing the charges. Is there any chance that an employer would find out about this during a background check, or do you consider it highly unlikely? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[aaron]

You have been charged; you have not been convicted (and won't be if you successfully complete your probation). Due to the nature of HYTA, as you note, it may be that they won't be able to find a record of the charge through a criminal records search. It would be guesswork to try to estimate if they would find any news stories about your charge.