felony friendly

So sorry to hear of the luck (or lack of) that you are having. If I were you, and I had the money, I would do anything within my power to seal my record. If you are like the majority of us, that is not an option because of our record, we can't gain employment to pay for things like that let alone just try and earn a living.

i thank you for your reply, but i was convicted of a sexual crime which i really regret. it wasnt a violent crime but it was a sexual crime. i was 24 and she was 14. i take all the blame as i should and yet she was sexually agressive. if i had of gone to the pen i would have been killed. but thank god i got probation and discharged it. i only got probation because of extenuating circumstances which i wont go into.im 60 now and there is not anyone in the state of texas that will help me get it expunged and sealed. i know ive tried. none the less thank you for your reply.
if i had of killed someone i could have gotten it expunged. i know because i know murderers that got expunged and sealed.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORK FORCE INVESTMENT ACT REGAURDLESS IF YOU HAVE A FELONY OR NOT. I HAVE A FELONY FROM BACK IN 1988. I WAS LAID OFF FROM A JOB IN 2004 WHEN WORK WAS SLOW AND THIS PROGRAM PAID 100 PERCENT OF MY COLLEGE EXPENSES GAVE ME A CHARGE ACCOUNT AT THE BOOK STORE AND PAID ME TO DRIVE BACK AND FOURTH TO SCHOOL I GRADUATED WITH A 3.5 GPA AND WORK FOR AN AWESOME COMPANY CALLED CATERPILLAR. THEY ARE FELONY FRIENDLY IF YOU ARE UP FRONT WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT YOU DID.

shaun in Denver, Colorado said: I was able to get my cdl but no one will hire me and my felony is 18 years old. does anyone have any suggestions

i worked for Navajo out of Denver and have a fellon

Maybe you could try Mile -Hi Fruit and Produce or Federal Fruit and Produce down in Denargo Market in Denver,CO. I know someone with a felony background that worked at both places. GOOD LUCK !

That would be great except I cant afford to move to Denver and my skinny ass wife cant take the cold. I need expungement and my felony to be sealed more than I need a job. Ive already been granted full disability,,,but I need my gun rights back so I can protect me and my wife from all these drug lords we have in Houston. And not one,not even one of my congressman/senators will help me to get my 37 yr old crime expunged and sealed.

i have four felony for pawning a playstation 2 an a dvd player when i was 18 i went jobcorp program an got a trade since then ive only had 2 jobs now am jobless my friends always ask me how could you be so happy when you dont have anythin i reply back by sayin mayb god have a plan for me i kno there are million of peoople that are worst then me my charge wasnt a big deal compard to some of you guys.

mani got one felony in 1992 poss of a saw off shotgun didnt do now jail time but 5 years on paper i still cant this off my back i wish what you have will rub off on me im in the dumps some times i to put a gun in my mouth and pulled the trigger its so bad then i look at picture of my son and i now i got to keep on going .

I really understand how you feel. I certainly felt like offing myself too. Not being able to get a job and for as old as I am, I feel like I am just sitting around now waiting to die. What a way to live just because of a drug charge over five years ago.

Hey there guys I am from St. Louis and im in need of a job if anyone knows anything please take time to reply. It will be greatly appreciated.

Wal-Mart will hire after 5 years past a conviction and Home Depot will hire. That's the way it is in Denver but may be something you could check into in your area.

Hi, Im looking for some advice..What was the time span between when you were convicted, expunged, and took the CPA? I am currently on a similar path. I was convicted in 2006, but I violated probation in 09 + received another misdemeanor. My first request for expunge in '09. was obviously denied. Since then I have gotten BA business Econ from UCIrvine, have been steady working in bookkeeping for 1 year, and am studying to sit for CPA exam within 1 more year. Currenty, there has been 2.5 years passed since any trouble. I have been clean, doing well. What adversities may I face? Please advise, I've been non stop worrying

SD0712 in San Diego, California said: Hi everyone....

I have a felony on my record that is over 14 years old. I have gone to college (got a business degree with a major emphasis in accounting from San Diego State) got my CPA (The board approved me after my appeal). I went back to the courts and I was able to get my conviction expunged. Expungment only means that your guilty conviction was set aside because you served your time. (I served six months in jail/halfway house) I have worked for some of the largest companies in the world. When asked on my application I put "no" to have I ever been convicted of a felony because I was advised of that from my lawyer. I am really sick of hearing people post things here complaining that they can't get a job. I have worked my ass off and I make a six figure income because I never gave up. My felony was related to a marriage I was in and I caught my wife cheating on me but that doesn't matter. A felony is a felony....If you are looking for work never give up!!!! There is always someone out there who will hire you. By the way...California only goes back 7 years on background checks so if you are working for a company who is not doing government contracts than you will be fine. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!! I didn't and I accomplised my goals!!! I hope this helps those of you who are down on themselves.

SD0712 in San Diego, California said: I did not serve time in a state prison. I served time in County Jail. Like I said an expungement only states that your guilty conviction is "set aside" but it still will come up on a background check that a government agency would run. No worries there I would never work for our POS gov't!!!!!!

Did you disclose your past felony on CPA application process?

I am an employment Specialist that wourks for the Mental Health Court for the 36th district court in Detroit. All of my clients have felonies and I have been successful in finding many employment. I sign them up for Michigan Rehab Services and they allocate money where they will pay an employer 80% of the employees check for 3 months, so the employer can test the employee out without taking a monetary risk. This has been a great selling point to employers. Kinda like a "try before you buy" approach. Find out what programs your state has to assist people with felony convictions.

Hi,

Any suggestions on how to get ahold of an employment specialist in WI? Where do you begin?

Thanks

Not sure...I work off a grant that specializes in rehabbing felons...you should check with you local human services dept. or the courts

i was looking at my records and "the motion for a new trial was granted. judgement of conviction is set aside and cause is dismissed in accordance to texas statutes." on july of 1979. i did 3 yrs and 4 months of my 10 year probation without violation. now i have to ask a stupid question. is this setting aside similiar to expungement and sealing the conviction.? i was convicted of the felony and according to the papers, granted a new trial. that has been 30+ years ago. and i am totally disabled according to S.S. and can never work again. what say you. im ignorant and dont know the answers....please reply

i replied to a previous comment. i am totally disabled abd cannot work at all. i have phlebitis in both legs all the way up to my hips. and no one will employ me in any fashion in houston texas. im 60 now and will be drawing s.s. total disability soon. read my other replies to understand more..my conviction has been set aside and ive been granted a new trial 30 yrs ago. i would like to get it expunged and sealed and my 2nd amendment rights restored as i have been robbed at gunpoint twice in broad daylight and im 60 and my wife is 75 and i fear for her life and the thought of my wife being harmed scares me to death. and a gun stuck to my forehead scares me to death too. please reply

I was a marine for four years, corrections officer for 5 years and a felon for 2 now. my whole life has been for me to make myself better and now it seems like nobody will look at that and all they see is my theft felony while i got into drugs. ive been through the programs and now im clean and have been for a long time. what can i do ... kill me now

my crime was 37 years ago. and i served 3.5 yrs of a 10 yr probation. i did get a letter that i was entitled to a new trial but that was it. its as if they were saying that i should just curl up and die. and i cant get a damn one of the legislators to even consider expungement much less sealing the conviction and restoring my 2nd amendment rights.

I understand how you feel. Tired of not being able to get a job. Feel like my life is a worthless waste. I'm so ready to check out!

if i had guts enough to do it i would commit suicide. im fully disabled and dont know the difference between medicare and medicaid. i pay $1400 a month for my med ins for me and my wife, but that dont cover dental or vision care. all it pays for is hospital care,,,not for meds either. my wife is 75 and im 60 but im fully disabled according to s.s....i dont know what to do. i dont know if im gonna have to buy a suppliment ins either. somebody please email me at oldmantoo491@hotmail.com and tell me. im stupid and i dont know the answers. ive been told medicare will be cheaper than the $1400 im currently paying for ins for me and my wife. please reply, please

Larry in Tampa, Florida said: I have a 4 yr old felony. I was not having any success last year finding a job, even though I have a bachelor's degree. Finally, I applied for a real estate license here in Florida in August of last year. Because of my criminal past, (they pull it all up misdemeanors and all) I had to go in front of the state board. But by dressing nice, showing that I am not involved in that life anymore, and bringing 2 real estate agents I know with me (1 was my sister) to testify on my behalf, I was granted a real estate license. I had to pass the real estate test and the class of course but in March I received my license and have been working hard ever since. My first closing is scheduled for Tuesday of next week. The hours are long, especially in the beginning but if you grind it out, you will end up with a nice income and a decent life. Reguardless of what the news says about the economy and house prices in the toilet, many many people are still buying and selling, and they always will be through the ups and downs of our economy. Good luck to you all. I will gladly talk to anyone who wants more information.

what were you charge for? i wanna become a cpa but ive been charge for burglary unooccupied of dwelling and grand theft and both have been withheld adjudication meaning im not convicted

shaun in Denver, Colorado said: I was able to get my cdl but no one will hire me and my felony is 18 years old. does anyone have any suggestions

I have a felony and I have my CDL and is currently work as a truck driver I work for a smallier company that does not to a full back ground check... How ever a insurance company can deny employment here in South Carolina

To Shaun In Denver,CO Try Federal Fruit and Produce or Mile High Fruit and Produce In Denargo Market in Denver. My brother in law has felonies and worked for both companies. GOOD LUCK !

people say walmart hires felons. they dont in houston,tx. i applied at 238 different companies and all including maxwell house coffee on harrisburg blvd in houston amd all of them turned me down. i will say i worked for a oil company for 3o years after i discharged my probation,,,but i never told them of my felony,,,otherwise i would have never got hired. i applied at every oil company in texas as well as every company in harris county,tx and was turned down by all of them. im 60 now and totally disabled and cant work. i got full disability from s.s. but havent started getting my checks yet. and expungement in texas is totally
out of the question. if any judge or lawyer says different, they are liars.

Hello all,
I got 2 felonies 11 years ago, when I was 18 years old and a senior in Highschool. They were Class B/C felonies. I have not been in trouble since, other than a disorderly traffic violation. I have been in sales the last 8 years, and started my carreer in a homeless shelter at the age of 19. I have been everything from a simple sales rep, to an Executive Director, to a VP of Operations/Sales. If you really want to do something, you can do it. Don't give up. Have faith. If you believe in yourself, and work hard, you can get to where you want to be. If we want people to see the change in us, we have to be that change.
The gentleman that posted earlier about God having a plan for you is right. God loves everyone no matter what.

My question is though, I want to get into Real Estate here in Oregon. Does anyone know if you can get a real estate license if you are a felon here?

oldmantoo49@hotmail.com in Spring, Texas said: are you absolutely certain of this?? my felony was 34 years ago. i got 10 years probation and discharged it in 3.3 years. my conviction was set aside,,,but its still on the records and i cannot get my crime expunged

That's not true. I filled out an application and it asked if I was convicted of any crime winthin 7yrs and of course I said no because my felony charge was 22yrs ago, a few days later I received a retracted employment offer letter. So even if the application says 7yrs they do go back farther than that.

oldmantoo49@hotmail.com in Spring, Texas said: are you absolutely certain of this?? my felony was 34 years ago. i got 10 years probation and discharged it in 3.3 years. my conviction was set aside,,,but its still on the records and i cannot get my crime expunged

yes i am absolutely certain of this.i have been certified by a judicial judge here in houston and by S.S. as being totally disabled and not able to work at all under any circumstances.,,,but there is no one in Texas at all that will help me get my record expunged and cleared so i can have my second amendment rights back. i was told that for $3500.00 i could get it done else i could forget about it.

I just use the felony friendly employer listing at www.xamire.com its free and nonprofit. Pretty accurate as well

Army Grunt in Austin, Texas said: Well severity of the felony can affect employment. That being said it's almost completely absurd to have a caste system of any sort in this nation. By not allowing felons any potential for personal growth, this nation creates a system in which that person will most likely go back to some form of crime because they have virtually no chance for a future along with extreme stress. But that doesn't relieve the felon from having personal accountability and cannot use that likely scenario as an excuse. Honestly I would go to a publicly elected representative and argue this case right here... how can I expect to be an honest respectable member of society when I am a cast out pariah based upon a bad decision nearly 4 decades ago? It is to some extent a variation of bigotry like creating unfair rent laws and civil laws for gay populations, underfunded and dangerous environments for minority groups.... I mean Christ they even tried passing laws to not allow an Irish vote years ago. Now you see conservative Irish talk show hosts rattling off about how these "degenerate groups" are destroying "their country." I'm sorry that's hilarious to me!

I'm starting to believe that this is the way how government and people in power keep their high status!!! There must be those on the low end in order for the wealthy to stay up! I even believe that the welfare system, SSI programs are just a pass on lollipops to keep a great amount of people from growing intellectually. I'm only looking at the big picture now. I never imagined how unfair and stupid the law system works with felons. My boyfriend is currently in a halfway house on parole. The rules and policies that these parolees have to follow are nearly impossible to abide by!! I'm a college graduate. I thought I had it excruciating when it came to meeting deadlines for work etc. These parolees are not even allowed to go to temp agencies because they want them to get FULL TIME JOBS!!

Hi everyone,

I hope this story gives you hope. Its very true and it can happen to anyone if it can happen to my brother.

He moved out from California to Florida to live with me and continue his slowly progressing life. He has multiple felonies, arrests, etc... spending most of his adult life incarcerated. He finally made the decision that he couldnt continue with the lifestyle (which resulted in deep self discovery) He was in a court ordered treatment program for a year, slipped, went back again and looked for workin LA for about 9 months. He was recommended to apply at Americorp, a federally funded program that employs all walks of life. They are located in every state and offer education awards at the end of your community service term. It is a paid job. This gave him a year of solid employment and references and a chance to go to school.

Upon his arrival in Fl, I hooked him up with a friend in the pool business where he worked as needed and applied at several jobs. He also applied at Apple One for temporary odd jobs. Note the job market here in So. Fla is horrible, but still better than southern Cali.

So I was talking to a friend at my job and got on t eh subject of my brother tryibg to find work. He said bring him here,,, well they wont hire him. He has been in a little trouble. He encouraged me saying weve all been in trouble.. After thinking about it I decided to talk to my boss who I knew would at least listen to me.

I told her he has a past,,, not a great one, but he has turned everything around. I told her about his year long commitment to Americorp, his past 2 years in school with a 4.0, most valueable member awards and other certificates he received. SHe said she would talk to HR and see if they were open to it. FULL DISCLOSURE.... Hr came back and said well lets talk with him and see if he would fit first, then go from there.

He interviewed twice, and then they wanted the major application filled out, etc.... the background information

to continue,,, filling out that background information was the hardest thing he has done. Laying it all out there. But we had already revealed he had a past so we had nothing to gain by hiding anything..

It took 2 weeks to get the report back,,,,agony in waiting. They asked for 10 years,,, California law states they only release 7 years. We dont know what they revealed... and my boss didnt care. HR say he was ok to hire!!!! WOW,,, Im sure some can imagine the feeling... But here is the best part. I work for a major mortgage lender, financial institution. I am very grateful my company has chosen to give him a chance.Its a very boring nothing meanial job, but its a job and will be a great reference when he tries to move on to something later when we move to Denver.

I want to encourage those who struggle with this, it can happen. You have to network, build some base, start with temp jobs, dress appropriately, sell yourself, offer all your positive attributes. My brother was given a chance because of my recommendation yes, but also becasue of the 2 years of clean hard work he did, and he also wrote a very open letter about his past, and what he learned from it.

Please dont get discouraged, never give up and it will come.

GOod Luck

You can look up current federal programs, and see lists of felony friendly employers at xamire.com
I find my jobs by doing all this, and they're pretty up to date.

Exhausted in Broomfield, Colorado said: I have a theft conviction from CA in 2002, living in CO now. Just was shot down for an auto sales license from the state. Clearly stated, felony convictions must be 10 yrs or older. Was working and got laid off in 2008, never thought I'd still be looking in 2011. Have actually been offered 3 jobs in the last 2 weeks, they withdrawn once the background came back. I did disclose upfront though, the people I interviewed with wanted me, their HR Dept. didn't. I haven't given up, I send 4 - 5 resumes a day, I'm counting on the law of averages to work. I try to pick small family owned business's when possible. For those of you who THINK it's impossible, YOUR PROBABLY RIGHT!

Use xamire.com to find felony friendly jobs and all the stuff on federal felon programs

where did you even get the money to go to a college like that before finding a job, and the money for the criminal defense attorney? Sorry but your story doesn't sound believable. Can you give more details in any way if possible?

Second amendment? I keep seeing all this talk about the importance of getting your second amendment rights back. Really??!! Your a felon and you can't get a job anywhere and all you are worried about is when you can carry a gun again? Get real, it's likely not going to happen. You should be more concerned about getting a job and being a productive member of society. I have had my felony for 17 years now, I am going to college to obtain my nursing degree, despite people telling me it will never work. I was told I could never work in the health field. I obtained my CNA license two years ago, I have been working as a CNA QMAP certified thru the state for a little over a year now. It takes dedication and hard work with persistence but it can be done. Don't give up on your goals, somewhere out there is someone who is willing to give you a leg up. Yes we all made mistakes and because of those mistakes we have to be driven to go that extra mile to get what we want. If you are not willing to then welcome yourself back to a life of crime, your a quitter.

I would like to find real help at this point in my life. I have a felony from 1988. First time I ever broke the law but I confessed and was given 3 years. Did 6 months in the County Jail. Back then I thought that if I fessed up and did my pay back to society I could go on with my life.... mistake made and sorry I did it. I have been working since but recently my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and I had to quit my current job to care for him while on chemo. Now that he is in remission (thank you Jesus) I have not been able to find a job. With the recession currently impeding my job search all of a sudden 'Polite Society' has decided that I am unemployable. It seems that the ones making decisions nowadays has decided that anyone with a criminal background not be considered for employment. More and more I see the statement 'Due to the nature of the business anyone with a felony background will not be considered'. Really!!!!! Twenty some years ago - what the heck! I am now 59 years old (another stepping stone) and I all of a sudden am a threat to society! We live on my husbands disability but if and when he passes what am I to do? Maybe I will be one of those people living on the streets that POLITE SOCIETY says to me 'get a job'!!! I want to work and have the excellent skills but you, polite society, have decided that since I was an idiot some 20 years ago I am not able to fit into your plan. I cry every night and I try every day, but I am so scared that I will end up with nothing after a lifetime of working and giving. There really is no help from the government for us 'Felons'...... Wish I knew where to really find places that will give us a chance to prove that we really aren't bad people just made some stupid mistake.

david allen bennett in Houston, Texas said: if i had guts enough to do it i would commit suicide. im fully disabled and dont know the difference between medicare and medicaid. i pay $1400 a month for my med ins for me and my wife, but that dont cover dental or vision care. all it pays for is hospital care,,,not for meds either. my wife is 75 and im 60 but im fully disabled according to s.s....i dont know what to do. i dont know if im gonna have to buy a suppliment ins either. somebody please email me at oldmantoo491@hotmail.com and tell me. im stupid and i dont know the answers. ive been told medicare will be cheaper than the $1400 im currently paying for ins for me and my wife. please reply, please

You are entitled to medicare @ 65 and medicaid if you r disabled..you need not consider suicide :-(

I've been out for 4 years, off parole for 2, just recently graduated with my BA in Business. Is there any San Diego, Ca. felon-friendly employers that you guys know of?

Joy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee said: I read an ad thru Hard2Hire.org which helps felons find jobs and CCA accepts F-5 that means if you have a felony is has to be at least five yrs ago. The back ground check only goes back 5yrs, so mine was 8yrs ago (non-violent)does that make me quilified for the job? Does anyone know anything about that? If so, can you elaborate alittle bit?

I would think that the older the felony the better. being that they only go back five year they will see that your felony is older witch should in turn be a good thing.

To Joy in Murfreesboro, Tenn. An F5 Felony does not mean your felony is 5 years old. It means it is a Class 5 felony (F5). Anybody that runs a background check can go back as far as they want. 5,10 or 20 years. Whatever they choose. You need to get yourself educated on your situation. Not understanding your situation leads to you giving false information and that obviously will not help you at all