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hmm I dont think anyone is ever an ex-felon unless its proven that they were wrongly convicted. There are ex-cons but felons are for life. even with the tax break, I'd be afraid for my business to have a felon working the cash register or even sweeping the floor near the cash register. arent felons hired at construction sites? If they'll hire illegal immigrants, I'm quite sure that they'd hire a felon. or would they?

Here's a solution:
Just say no.

Most applications ask if you've ever been convicted of a crime. Just say no. Let them prove it. Most jobs don't even do a criminal check.

yellowdog:

Sorry, I can't encourage anyone to tell a lie. Since you apparently advocate untruth, my solution is we send all felons to you and let you employ them.

"Many of our young men and women are receiving felony charges for whatever reasons." For "whatever" reasons? This is the kind of crap used to gloss over unpleasant truths. In this case, they have been more than charged, they have been convicted BECAUSE THEY COMMITED A FELONY!! Not "for whatever reasons," but because they are criminals. Sure, they have strikes against them, because they took a swing with the bat! Now, life is not so easy. Too bad.

Actually, yellowdog is giving correct advice.

In North Carolina, the criminal law considers an adult someone who is 16 or over. Someone under 16 is a juvenile. If someone is charged as a juvenile, then the offense goes on their juvenile record only. The juvenile record is not a permanent record as the adult record is. Once a juvenile who was previously charged and/or found guilty of a crime reaches 16, their record is wiped clean. Nothing exists on it.

Furthermore, the law dictates that juvenile court proceedings are not considered, under the law, to be convictions, but in fact findings that the young person is responsible for the crime. Not a conviction.

The honest and legal answer to the question on the employment application as to whether the person has ever been convicted of a crime will be no, just as yellowdog suggested, but perhaps for a different reason.

Bunny,

You are correct about telling a lie. It isn't the right thing to do.

If I was to advocate anything it would be to not be a convicted felon in the first place.

Unfortunately, once you are a convicted felon, it is nearly impossible to find employment if you check the honest answer on that application. Employers generally chuck those in the wastebasket without a second thought.

I feel sorry for these people because, as the letter states, they've paid for their crimes. Yet the consequences never end.

Faced with the choice of feeding your kids or being 100% honest on a job application, most people would choose the first. And not just about felonies. I would imagine that many people tend to embellish their work experience and accentuate the positive. While that isn't outright lying, it's not 100% truthfulness either. In fact, I've known very few people who are 100% honest about everything (even when it hurts).

In God's eyes, truth is the best policy. But when it comes to making it in this world, the truth often hurts.

swanks:

I stand by my point: It is not right to tell a lie or to advocate telling a lie. While you are correct in what you have posted, I wonder.... did yellowdog know this information when he wrote his post? If so, I believe him to be intelligent enough to include it as support for his views.

yellowdog:

Please don't get me wrong. I have great compassion for those who made one mistake that earned them the title of "felon" (I am a former social worker). However, chances are excellent they KNEW what they were doing was wrong yet they did it anyway. There comes a time when one ultimately has to suffer consequences for his/her actions. Unfortunately, their actions led to severe, life-long consequences.

Like several others, I advocate TRUTH on a job application. Hopefully, the person can get an interview and explain what happened. Talking with a potential employer may possibly give the felon a better chance at employment.

One thing though, why should something like what the LTE writer advocated only be for juveniles? Regardless of one's age, if rehabilitated, should not that one be given a chance?

And since God has been brought into the discussion, how many chances does God give we humans before enough is enough?

If we want to live the elements that God prescribed, then the record gets wiped cleaned EVERYDAY!

Shalom

Felons are only felons until they come off probation, then they are ex-felons. Otherwise the question on the application would ask "are you a felon?"

Voc Rehab and the Guilford ESC both have programs for ex-felons to gain employment.

The problem is that the stigma follows you for life. I know first hand.

A lawyer I know told me of a client he had in the 1970s who is now a vp of a major financial institution in this state. He was up for a promo and had been with the company for more than 20 years. When hired, there was no question on the form.

When they did a new background check on him during the interview process for the executive position, the stigma came back and prevented him from going any higher in the company.

I have any number of friends, white and black, with felony drug convictions garnered at 18, 22, or 25. Always there. Always over their head.

The solution to the letter writers concern? Good old fashioned American entrepreneurialism.

The only answer is to tell the truth and work hard and let the chips fall where they may.

BTW, felons gain all civil rights back in the state of North Carolina the second they come off probation, including the right to vote, which means they can run for local and state office. The state constitution requires that a candidate be registered in the district they intend to run in. Hence, if you can register, you can run.

" If we want to live the elements that God prescribed, then the record gets wiped cleaned EVERYDAY! "....while i do not disagree, i was wondering what your thoughts were on the following..

" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "

It would seem that the quote given only strengthens my statement.

Shalom

Bunny/Swanks,

Swanks made a great point about juveniles that I did not consider in my response. My response was about people of all ages.

I agree with the nobility that many advocate to tell the truth.

I agree that we should tell the truth in as many situations as possible.

However, if someone needs to get a job that will put food on the table, the fact of the matter is, telling the truth may keep them from doing so.

So, they are faced with a dilemma. Tell the truth and let your kids starve and live on the streets or tell a lie on a job application.

That's a tough choice for anyone to have to make. It's unfortunate that our society often sees thinks in black and white and is unwilling to give those who has made a mistake the second chance. The fact remains, often you have to make that choice.

All I'm saying is that choice is available. I'm not advocating either decision cause it isn't my decision to make. It is up to the individual to decide which fork in the road they will take.

I'm an 'ex-offender' with 2 felony convictions (related to one crime) that are about 10 years old.

I now hold a very senior technical role with one of the world's largest technology firms, currently earning nearly 150k/yr. I’m highly regarded and have lots of potential for future growth in the company. And yes, they know.

It's taken a long time to get my life and career on track. Here are my comments and advice:

Everyone (including offenders) need to be completely honest and forthcoming in their business dealings, and this includes filling out the job application.

Offenders need to be prepared to explain their situation, what they've done to rehabilitate themselves, etc. While I would not recommend minimizing or rationalizing past bad behavior, I also don't recommend dwelling on it. When asked, state what you did, a BRIEF explanation why (if it's relevant), and move on to what you've accomplished since then.

People make irrational assumptions when they hear of someone's felony conviction, especially if they don't know the person well. Try to explain the details in person if possible. Prepare a letter that explains the details in case this is not possible.

Employers need to, and often do, consider the facts objectively and take into consideration relevancy, elapsed time, and other factors into their decision. Some employers are paranoid and/or unreasonable in this regard, and you simply must find someone else to work for. Many employers only look back 7 or 10 years, and phrase the question "have you been convicted of a felony during the last x years."

I've had the unpleasant experience of explaining my past several times since my record usually comes up during routine background checks. I deal with it and it becomes easier every time.

That first job was key. I got a job as a checker in a grocery store fresh out of prison. In fact, I had to wear a monitoring bracelet on my ankle for the first few months since I was released on house arrest. Needless to say, I didn’t wear shorts to work. Each job after that was easier since I established a track record of exemplary performance. I leveraged relationships made on the job and kept taking on incremental levels of responsibility that lead to promotions, etc.

A 'can do' attitude is essential. I made sure I did the best job possible and didn't worry about other's opinions of me or the ‘unfairness’ of the situation when I had to deal with problems related to my conviction. I put myself in the situation, blaming others would only keep me there.

Unfortunately, I committed my crimes in a state that does not seal or expunge felony records, no matter how much time has passed (some states do). I would like to see more states recognize rehabilitative efforts and give people a break who’ve clearly cleaned up their act.

Hi Yellowdog! I am from California and have been arrested at least 10 times for possession of a controlled substance plus 2 assaults and 2 batteries and resisting arrest. I have one felony for possession.

I am a 35 year old single mother of two and I've been clean for 5 years. I am also a full-time student concentrating and focusing on my studies and both kids. I've been really depressed this week as I've learned that even though I graduate from college, that I've got barriers on getting a job with a degree. I am so greatful and appreciative that I have my parents to help me out, but they are getting old and I don't want to rely on them all the time. I don't know what I would do if I can't support my kids in the future. I wonder if I can reduce a drug felony to a misdemeanor and get it expunged with the rest of my records that I hold. I'm really worried right now. I can't talk to my friends or family about this so I've been keeping it bottled inside for the past week. it would be great to hear from you on what you think I should do in my situation.

Nanette

For the comment above mine, I was actually directing my comment to you. I'm confused who wrote it.. Sorry!