Will A Criminal Record Affect My Job
Are you wondering will a criminal record affect my job? The answer is quite simple actually! Read more below.
Will A Criminal Record Affect My Job
Are you wondering will a criminal record affect my job? The answer is quite simple actually. A criminal record will most certainly affect your job. This post will give you information on this sensitive subject.
Many people who have had the misfortune of a criminal conviction spent years suffering through poorly suited jobs. These jobs usually pay a low rate and are more labor-intensive. Discussing further, we will explain how a criminal record affects your job and what to do if you find yourself charged with a crime that could change your life.
PRO TIP: Read our list of felony friendly jobs! We know it will be super helpful.
Applying for Employment
An employment application consists of qualifications, work history, skill set, and yes, even a box asking about your criminal record. Companies and institutions want to know of any convictions of crime from your past. They believe that certain types of prior convictions make you untrustworthy, and therefore not eligible for the job.
Depending on the place of employment and the type of work they do creates a wide range of requirements. For example, a felony conviction may disqualify you for certain jobs, while a simple misdemeanor may be all it takes for others.
Currently Employed
Another scenario where a criminal record can affect your job is when you are currently employed and convicted of a crime. While many companies do not have requirements if this occurs, several do. It is common for employee handbooks to require notification of any convictions of a crime. This is true of most public sector jobs. Upon conviction of a crime, you may find yourself terminated regardless of how many years of service you’ve given.
Public VS Private Sector Jobs
Louisiana has rules and exemptions for public sector jobs related to criminal histories. According to Louisiana law, a person cannot be asked about their criminal history in a public employment application until they have moved to the interview process. This law’s reasoning is to make sure the employer knows the potential employee qualifies before researching a criminal history.
Private sector jobs are under no obligation to follow these rules, however. Both private and public companies can deny employment based on criminal history. The good news is most companies do not ask about criminal records of conviction past a seven-year window. Specific jobs like law enforcement, corrections, and other high-profile public jobs will require a history of lifetime convictions.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Criminal convictions create stress in the lives of those seeking employment. Questions also arise for gainfully employed individuals who find themselves facing conviction and wondering what will happen to their career. A criminal defense lawyer can help in two ways.
- Help you expunge a criminal conviction
- Defend you in court on a charge that leads to a criminal conviction
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is a step you should certainly consider!
Expungement
The purpose of an expungement is to wipe away a conviction from a criminal record. Crimes can be removed from your record in Louisiana, whether a felony or a misdemeanor conviction. Hiring a good law firm is key to getting the job done right.
Expungements are allowed under certain conditions as some states understand that isolated criminal convictions at a young age should not follow you around your entire life. Here are the requirements for an expungement:
- The waiting period for misdemeanor convictions is typically five years. DWI cases have a ten year wait time. Certain crimes involving family violence or sex crimes are not expugnable at all.
- Felony convictions have a waiting period of ten years and allow one every 15 years. Again, courts do not consider most violent crimes for expungement.
In both misdemeanor and felony cases, you must not have received any other convictions during the five and ten-year waiting periods. The best way to have your record expunged is to hire an attorney experienced in helping others with conviction removal. Attorney’s will have much more success getting you an expungement of your conviction than trying to do it alone.
Preventing a Conviction
If you find yourself charged with a misdemeanor or a felony conviction, do not make a deal with the prosecution without hiring a lawyer. The prosecutor’s job is to gain convictions, and they and many have little regard for how it affects your life and future employment.
A defense lawyer’s job is to represent you and to help you receive the best deal you can get in the courtroom. An experienced defense attorney understands how a conviction will affect your future employment. Your lawyer will work on your case to lessen the impact of any charges or, even better, help you get the case dismissed.
Going Forward
Moving forward in your life, it is essential to understand how a criminal record affects your job. Convictions affect job applications for most of your life, causing you to miss out on the best jobs, even if you are more qualified than others.
Not receiving a conviction on your record is the best option for everyone, but many people make mistakes at a young age. If you find yourself charged or convicted of a crime, hire an attorney to help. Hire Barkemeyer Law Firm to help you with your case!
We hope this answered the question of will a criminal record affect my job and wish you luck.
