Facing Difficulty Due To My Criminal Record

My question involves criminal records for the state of: PA.

I was arrsted in 2007 for simple assault, the charge was dropped to harrassment. It was an only offense to this day. I have a family and am a completely different person now. I am having great difficulty finding a job or even an apartment bc of my background check. when the lawyer offered me the lowered charge, she defined it as a punch or a kick, which under PA law should be considered a summary offense not an M3 as stated on my docket. how do i go about getting things to a point where i can find a job and get an apartment for myself so that i can be a good father to my kids and a good husband to my wife and simply move on from a mistake. also im moving to FL this week from PA so what can i expect to find there.

I understand this one completely and can sympathize with you. I had a misdemeanor charge in 1988 and have been going through the same thing as you. I found a few jobs, but nothing to brag about because as soon as they see you have a record, they WILL find some stupid reason to get rid of you and now they check criminal records before you even get in the door. It doesn't make any difference as to who you are now. All everyone cares about is what you were. Even if it was an accident. And my attorney offered me the same deal and that one backfired. Watch out for those plea deals - as you already know. Good luck in your move and Fla can't be any worse than PA.