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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1

    Default What To Say When Asked If I Was Convicted of a Crime?

    In April of 03 I was involved in something pretty stupid. The results were that I was "found guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor by guilty plea". I honestly don't even know what I was "convicted" of because I can't seem to find it anywhere on my documentation, probably assault due to an ex-girlfriend confrontation which led to my arrest.

    I received -
    - A SIS with bench probation for 2 years.
    - Had to complete 4 Anger Management classes which I have prove of completion.
    - Had to register with REJIS

    1 - Do I need to say YES when asked on an employment form if I've been convicted of a "CRIME", not specifically a felony or misdemeanor. Obviously if it said felony I can check no. In this case it doesn't, it says crime.
    2 - Is a Class A Misdemeanor a big deal?
    3 - How long do I stay registered with this REJIS thing?
    4 - Can I get the record removed?
    5 - How bad is my record with ONLY this on it?

    I haven't thought twice about all of this until now. I'm in the job market now and was asked this on a form. I have since been accepted at that place of employment so I guess the records check went ok or they accepted me with this record. DO I need to be worried about anything in the future or will this disappear on it's own?

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: What to say when asked if I was convicted of a crime?

    Criminal records do not disappear!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: What To Say When Asked If I Was Convicted of a Crime?

    You need to look at the question and answer it literally. Obviously if it says felony you can answer no. If it says misdemeanor or just crime, then the answer is yes. If you're not sure of the literally correct answer to the question, use the "if yes please explain" section, which is always there, to give a description of the situation. (Remember - Ever means Ever. At no time does Ever mean, the last five/seven/ten years. If the question reads, have you EVER, then the answer is going to be yes for the rest of your life.)

    Panther is correct; criminal records do not go away. However, all background checks are not created equal and you never know exactly what information an employer will be asking for. Nor is it going to be cast in stone what an employer cares about; one might think this is no big deal - another might find it to be a deal breaker. But what employers in general hate most is being blindsided. Many employers will forgive a single mistake if the applicant or employee is honest about what happened. Few if any will forgive being lied to, even if it is a lie of omission.

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