two years ago I was arrested and charge with second degree murder, rape, sexual battery, and breaking and entering I spend over 40 days in jail because I could not afford lawyer. Now I try to apply for a job but they ask about prior arrests and when I put this down they refuse to hire me outright. What should I do and should I just not admit to the arrests?
2006-10-01 02:16:22 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
what u mean 40 days for all that? I didnt do anything wrong
2006-10-01 02:18:41 · update #1
You don't say, but I infer, that you were not convicted of these charges. The authorities either found whoever actually did the crimes or there was lack of evidence to take you to trial or else you went to trial and were found not guilty or not proven.
Anyone can be arrested for anything. It has little to do with being guilty. The mere fact of an arrest is merely a flag to an employer that you have been found in suspicious circumstances. If you were charged (rather than held pending charges) there should be some record of exoneration and you can add this to your employment application.
If you have some means (meaning money) I would suggest that you get a lawyer to help you with this. I doubt that you can do this if you could not afford a lawyer at the time of the arrest and have been unable to get a job since then.
Two suggestions:
One - when the application asks about arrests, give a one-word answer, yes, and don't add any more than is asked for. When it asks outcome, give the legal result such as "released" "not charged" "found not guilty" or whatever is recorded in court and legal papers. Try to phrase it in a way that you can clarify it during an interview.
Second - try for support from a Citizen's Advocacy group such as the ACLU which can help with recruiting experienced people in dealing with situations like yours.
I hope that this can help you in presenting the facts, rather than just the things that make you sound bad and lead people into jumping to conclusions. Many people don't realize that the "conviction by accusation" attitude may be used on them and that they're not protected by "that can't happen to me."
2006-10-01 02:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by ebob 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As you probably know, the simple fact that you were arrested and accused of such heinous crimes, even though you were innocent, makes you a societal outcast. Several idiots in this thread have told you that you should be "in jail now" and "put away forever", because in many shallow, malformed minds, an accusation no matter how outrageous means you are "guilty". Obviously, the schools don't educate people on the criminal justice system or the process--neither does the media. "charged with" is not the same thing as "convicted of", as you are well aware. Had you been convicted of any of those crimes, you'd be in prison. Jail is not the same as prison--jail is where suspects are held awaiting trial, and prison is where convicts go for punishment.
If a job application asks you about convictions, you can obviously leave that section blank. If it asks you about arrests, you should be honest and explain the situation to the best of your ability. It sucks, and you are unlikely to be hired if you have to explain murder and rape charges, even though you are innocent--that's how this society is, sadly. Most employers conduct background checks now, so if you lie and they find out, they'll can you anyway.
Sorry to hear of your troubles and I wish you luck.
2006-10-01 09:32:42 · answer #2 · answered by surfinthedesert 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you were acquitted you don't have to put this on your application,although if you were charged and found guilty then yes.
If you were were acquitted ,which you obviously were unless you are writing this from jail,then why would you have to put that on an application.
Ask to see a public record ,to see if you have any warrants,or to find out exactly what charges were placed on you.
You might have just a record for trespassing,which is minor. I don't know,ask your lawyer,or get a copy of your police record.
Whenever a policeman runs your name and address,your arrest record will show up..you might have nothing in your file for all you know.
Good luck!
2006-10-01 09:22:13 · answer #3 · answered by Dfirefox 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So no, you should never lie about anything legal regarding employment, not a good idea. I work in finance, and I saw someone get fired for lying about their criminal history, I'm not sure how getting fired from an employer effects you at other jobs, but you really don't need to have yet another problem barring you from getting hired. You may want to check around your city for resources that help felons find jobs, or start your own business.
2006-10-01 09:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
By law they can only ask about convictions, not arrests. However, if they want to press on an application, just put down will discuss, or something similar. I f you werent convicted, then its just a matter of mistaken identity,or something similar. I wouldnt worry about it.
2006-10-01 09:19:59 · answer #5 · answered by cabledog429 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Did you do any of it? Were you convicted? We are all guilty of something, keep putting yourself out there, someone else knows what you are going through and you will find work. Hope you have things together now.
2006-10-01 09:22:14 · answer #6 · answered by mygreensilhouette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what kind of job it is. a simple job at a place like berger king, don't tell them, A job that consist of taking pee samples and hair or finger prints and your out of luck. If you can't afford a lawyer and if your american then the law has to provide you one.
2006-10-01 09:22:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only State in the Nation that I know some moron judge would give you 40 days would be Cali....if you did that like in Oklahoma you`d be somebody`s wife in prison by now....
2006-10-01 09:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by aminuts 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you did NOT do anything wrong then you do NOT include any details about this arrest in your applications because you are innocent!
2006-10-01 09:22:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Were you convicted? Are you a felon? If not, you do not need to put it on an application.
2006-10-01 09:38:42 · answer #10 · answered by missingora 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋