Today many employers are doing background checks on potential employees. These checks can range from drivers, credit, character and criminal records. Criminal records are a major barrier to employment. It’s a catch 22 situation.

The first step in finding employment with a criminal record is knowing what type of criminal record you have. Its very common for employers to do a background check in the state where the job will be located. For $10.00, you can apply for a copy of your criminal record with the Pennsylvania State Police (www.epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp).  It usually takes about 10 days to get a copy of your record. It’s important for people without a criminal record to pay the $10.00 to get a copy because records, names and social security numbers can get mixed up. Many times a relative or family friend will use someone’s number if they get in trouble with the law.

You can also research you record in Allegheny County Clerk of Courts Room 220 or www.alleghenycourts.us/cims/default.asp

The second step in the process is knowing what’s on your record and what’s expungable. You can acquire a Summary offense, Misdemeanor or Felony. It is very important to know what you were charged with. Many people are uneducated about the individual charges on a case. It’s possible to have multiple misdemeanors and felonies on the same case. If you have pleaded guilty or found guilty to any charges to any case, you can’t have these charges expunged from your record. If you have been found not guilty or the case and/or charge(s) have been dismissed, these can be expunged from your record. Its up to the individual to pay for the expungement, and will have to go to the Allegheny County Clerk of Courts. Next, you’ll pay $10.00 for the sealed copy of your record. After requesting the expungement packet, you will need to complete all necessary pages and get a $50.00 money order to start the process of expungement. It will then take up to six months to get your record expunged. Another possible way to erase your record, through slim, is through a Governor’s Pardon. Governor Edward Rendell has the power to authorize a pardon of a criminal record. However, Gov. Rendell has done “zero” pardons since being elected to office.

The third step is finding out where you can and can’t work with a criminal record. There are very specific state laws limiting where you can work with a criminal record. For example, most hospitals will not hire someone with more than one misdemeanor. No felonies are allowed.You can’t work in a bank if you have a drug conviction with intent to deliver or any act of dishonesty such as theft or forgery.

The applicant needs to research what companies are conducting criminal background checks.

I had a client who was arrested for multiple charges. The case went to court and all the charges were dismissed. He tried to get a job at a local bank but was denied employment because of the charges. After the case, it was his responsibility to get his record expunged. He failed to do this and the opportunity for employment was lost.

The fourth step is to be honest on the job application and at the interview. This can be a catch 22 situation. What is the purpose of the job application? The application is used to gather information, to see if the applicant can follow directions and to see if you’re going to be honest. If there is ONE MISTAKE on the application (ex. A misspelled word or a lie) that will be enough to get you eliminated for possible employment. If you lie on the application/interview that can be grounds for termination from employment.

Here is my last piece of advice for obtaining employment with a criminal record. FIND AN ADOVOCATE!!!!

Do you have someone who can help you with networking? You can obtain help from a counselor or mentor from a Social Service Agency that you may deal with. Maybe you can gain assistance from a Minister or leadership person from your local Church. Stay out of Trouble!!!! Stay out of Trouble!!!

Vernard Alexander