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My question involves criminal records for the state of: massachusetts
I have an interview coming up with a housing authority and im wondering what types of things do they look for on criminal records that can get me denied?? i have no felonies... no drug chrges... no violent charges... except one a&b from 12 yrs ago when i was 17.
they are worried about $$ ... the housing market is tight so they may say PASS because of it but no one is a mind reader here. Post back with your result. (and a&b is a violent offense, is it not?)
Fortunately, that was a juvenile offense. Assault and battery is generally a felony offense, and it could potentially bar you from qualifying for section 8. However, since it was a juvenile offense, that typically won't be considered, so you'll have nothing to worry about.
Were you convicted and if so, did you eventually expunge the conviction? If it was only a misdemeanor, the state will usually seal the record without you having to do anything more. If not, you should get your record expunged as soon as you can. That way you never have to say you were convicted for a crime.
In Massachusetts, at age 17 the crime would have been processed through the adult criminal system.
The idea that "If it was only a misdemeanor, the state will usually seal the record without you having to do anything more" is also wrong. There's not one state in the nation that automatically seals misdemeanors in that manner. Massachusetts permits some records to be sealed following a lengthy waiting period (10 - 15 years) under MGL Sec. 276, § 100A and MGL 276, § 100C.
Some apartments will deny those with convictions on their records for things like "crimes of moral turpitude" - crimes involving theft of money or property.