I need your help. This is my 4th semester in college studying Criminal Justice and I have some problems.....?

Question

Im 24 years old and Im working towards my bachelors in criminal justice. Problem is that I got into some trouble when I was 16. I got charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Because of the severity of this I got tried as an adult and was placed on probation BUT NOT CONVICTED, well deferred adjudication actually. My record shows that I was accused but never convicted. I spoke to my advisor at school and she told me that I wont make it into the police academy. She told me to talk to a probation and a parole supervisor to see what kind of chance I stand as to getting a job when I get my bachelors but I've been afraid to do so. I hate to think that I just spent two years studying and working hard for an area that Im not going to be able to work in. I kept telling myself that maybe if I got at least my bachelors that my previous record would be overlooked but I think I was just lying to myself.I need to talk to those people but I dont know what to say or ask. What do I do?

I spoke to an attorney and he told that it would be a waste of my money to try to get it expunged because it's gonna be there anyways. It never really goes away. Has anyone had something from their criminal record expunged? Did it go away completely?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your advisor was correct. It will be difficult for you to find a department that will hire you as a Police Officer with an AA w/ a deadly weapon charge. With deferred adjudication, although you were not convicted, you still had to enter a plea of either guilty or no contest to qualify for DA. Even if you had the record expunged, which generally can only be done when you have been convicted of the crime, the background investigator for a Police job would still be able to access your records. Since you were 16 at the time, and presumably you have no record since, I do think it's likely that you would qualify for a probation/parole dept job. There are a lot of jobs that you will be qualified for in the CJ system when you get your degree. Don't feel like you have wasted your time. There are plenty of civilian jobs within the Police Dept that you can make a very good living at, especially with a degree. Dispatcher, records dept, victim's assistance, etc. Stick with it, and go talk to the people your advisor recommended, and even speak to your Police Depts. public information Officer. You'll see that you still have plenty of opportunities ahead. Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Great answer by dh1977. If you are really dedicated to a law enforcement or related career, then don't give up now. Finish your degree, then continue to pursue the application process. Your counselor was right in telling you that your conviction (yes you were convicted) may be a hurdle in getting hired at some agencies.
However, some agencies also take into account your age at the time of the offense, your current age, your degree, and the adjudication status of the old charge.
If it does end up somehow being an insurmountable obstacle, there are many jobs within the CJ system that may suit you besides being a sworn officer.
Go for it, and good luck!

Answer 3

Definetly you are in the right track. I know ex-registered gang members that are now police officers. Unfortunetly you are too young right now, backgrounds are like a balance right now it sounds like your record is tipping the balance in one direction. What you need to do is continue with yoru education and tip the balance in your favor by doing productive positive things in your life i.e volunteer at a police department, victims advocate groups, teens at risk group. Police when considering you for employment look at all those factors belive it or not they dont want goodie too shoes that never been in fights or still living at home with parents. They look for people that have experienced life and now are productive members of society. Also on degrees I would have chosen an diferent major, I see this all the time being an academy graduate myself with an AA in criminal justice when I went to the academy I repeated all the same courses over again.

Answer 4

I thought that you had to have a court order to look at anybodies criminal record while they were a minor.You most definatly wont make it into the police academy if you tell them,or someone tells them for you.Maybe you could get it expunged?Talk to a judge and explain your situation.
Or you could just move to another state and not SAY anything,I'm not sure but if that is a misdemeanor it wont show up on a background check,(I DONT THINK)because I have several misdemeanors myself and I cleared a FBI background check.There just for felons,but 8 years is a long time,plus you were technically a minor,you can give it a shot,youll never know unless you do.Most cops on here will tell you that it will show up,but that is not the case,I would say about 50% of the time it shows up.
I thought expunge meant they put it through a paper shredder...

Answer 5

First of all you have to talk to an attorney and then talk to somebody from the police department or police academy. I still think that you have a chance into getting into the academy since the assault happened 8 years ago. You should really talk to an officer about that. Depends on the college, but you could talk to an SRO (school resource officer).

Answer 6

Finish your degree, you may have to start by working in a smaller police dept for a few years. Good luck....

Answer 7

If you have not been in any trouble you might want to look into going back to the original judge to have your record expunged. good luck

Answer 8

You sound like you'd be a nice cop,started young with assault and aggression issues.I would let you,you would fit right in there well.Birds of a feather flock together.

Answer 9

do what ur advior say. everything should be alright. u r not convicted.