Will an Arrest Show on Background Check

**spinbad1** · 02-07-2009, 01:56 PM

My question involves a background check in the State of: New York

I was arrested less than 2 weeks ago for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree, a misdemeanor. I have a background check coming up this week I believe for a job I reaaaally need to get, and I have not yet gone to court for the arrest, my court date is this upcoming Friday. Will a background check show this arrest? If it does, what can I possibly do to hide it? I'm really scared to death about this showing up.

**OhMy** · 02-07-2009, 03:30 PM

Quoting spinbad1

My question involves a background check in the State of: New York

I was arrested less than 2 weeks ago for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree, a misdemeanor. I have a background check coming up this week I believe for a job I reaaaally need to get, and I have not yet gone to court for the arrest, my court date is this upcoming Friday. Will a background check show this arrest? If it does, what can I possibly do to hide it? I'm really scared to death about this showing up.

This depends on the TYPE of background check they order. If it is a detailed check to work at a bank etc, then yes the arrest will turn up.

If they order CONVICTIONS only then no. However most will order a full background check these days.

NY enters all new arrests within a day or two so if they look, they will see the arrest.

**spinbad1** · 02-07-2009, 04:11 PM

the job is for a delivery route, which involves driving a truck. is there anything I can do to hide it? I really don't want to lose this opportunity

**cyjeff** · 02-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Quoting spinbad1

the job is for a delivery route, which involves driving a truck. is there anything I can do to hide it? I really don't want to lose this opportunity

No, you won't be able to hide it.

**Betty3** · 02-08-2009, 01:50 PM

Agree, there is no way to hide it from showing up on a background check. (though it may not show up depending on the type & how thorough of a check they do - most likely it will)

When applying for any jobs, be sure to always be truthful in your answers to questions on the application.

**GumpTrump** · 02-09-2009, 12:31 AM

Bare in mind here, an arrest is not a admission of guilt. If an employer asks about an arrest you can simply state you were accused of a certain act but no conviction was recorded. An employer can NOT use an arrest record alone to not hire you (I believe). However, if you have previous history they can use the arrest to claim you at risk, and may not hire you because of the risk associated with your history.

My people have misdemeanors in the country who are working in coorporate offices and I would venture to say double that number with people who have been arrested for some reason or another.

**OhMy** · 02-09-2009, 07:50 PM

[QUOTE=GumpTrump;286450] An employer can NOT use an arrest record alone to not hire you (I believe). [QUOTE]

You are NOT correct here. Since the arrest was recent for a pending case the employer can deny employment.