Unless you are working for the federal government, you will not need to declare a criminal record after 10 years. If you do find yourself in a situation where you will need to make a disclosure about your past, here are some things to keep in mind.
For instance, many employers only check five or ten years of your history when they are making hiring decisions. You may be asked about any misdemeanors you have, but you can also choose to withhold information about more serious crimes.
One important thing to remember is that arrests are not proof of a crime. A good rule of thumb is to be honest when you are applying for a job. Whether you are looking for a job as an electrician, plumber, or even an in-home service provider, a background check is a must.
When you do have a criminal history, it’s best to prepare a written disclosure statement. This will reduce the likelihood that you’ll be caught by a question about your past. It should be detailed, including details about what was involved, how you dealt with it, and how you think your future will look.
Another good idea is to hire a lawyer to help you file a petition for nondisclosure. While this won’t actually remove your arrest from your criminal record, it does prevent criminal justice agencies from disclosing your criminal history records.
There are also laws in some states that limit the disclosure of a particular event, such as a conviction. In some cases, you will need to go to court to have your case sealed, and in others, a simple application can have your record permanently sealed.
However, if you have been convicted of a felony or a serious offense, you can’t expect to have your record expunged. You can have your record expunged if the court finds that the conviction was an innocent mistake, or if you were a first time offender. Also, you can get your record expunged if you have a compelling reason to do so.
On the other hand, if you have been convicted of any felony, you will need to do a background check at least once a decade to be considered for jobs in certain industries. Many of these jobs involve delivery services, and you will need to have your records checked by the federal government at least a few times to qualify for a delivery job.
The federal government has a background check requirement that covers the entire scope of your criminal history. This means that a background check will reveal your previous convictions and any pending cases, no matter how old.
Finally, you will want to check with your state’s legislature to see if you have any laws on the books that could have a major effect on your life. Some states have passed laws that give former felons additional benefits, such as the ability to expunge their records. Other states, like Arkansas, have relief mechanisms in place that are routinely used to help people with criminal records get back on their feet.
