Got a question for lawyer.

it may be it may be not. I mean if an ex-convict who had fully served his/her prison term and joins into the mainstream society fails to get a job immediately, then he/she should be patient and look for another means if he/she is willing to do things right. i have an acquaintant who had served 5 years in the callaboss cell and almost found no job when he got out. yet with his patience he learned during his prison years helped him persevere amid the ordeal of being rejected by many employers. his calm approaches and humble endurance was noticed by one wealthy man and he was hired though he did not apply for the job. its just a matter of humble acceptance that once you are a felon then prepare yourself for the consequence. if one is stubborn enough to think that because he cannot find a legitimate job anymore then he resorts to indulge in any malfeasance then let him go ahead and take the risk.

Hi Lakota~ I am not a Lawyer! But, was a Legal Secretary for over 20 years. That isn't why I am responding. My BF/roomate was in prison for 13 years. He has been out for 3 years and is hoping to get off parole next month. But, unfortunately that has nothing to do with his Criminal Record when an employer wants to check! I don't know if it varies from State to State or if the 7 years even matters. The records are not completely dissolved. Depending on what the crime is and what type of job they are going for will also make a difference. It is true that alot of employers will not hire an ex-convict. My BF had someone helping him when he went to get his job. But, unless these people lie on an application and the employer doesn't check and I don't suggest this they may always have a problem! My BF hasn't been able to get a different job yet. He has been at the same job now for almost 3 years and he wants to move on to a better one. Like I said, I don't know everything about the laws and the differ in different states and some employers are willing to hire ex-cons, but being honest is the best thing!

I'm no lawyer, but I do know this. It is legal, if that's what you mean by "right." Companies do have the right to hire & fire as they please so long as it's for reasons other than race, creed, etc. Perhaps the bosses fear that they might still be thieves (if that was their crime--you didn't specify), & have to deal with finances, or, if they were child molesters, & they would have to be around children, etc. It may seem harsh, but with such blots on their records, you have to understand, it naturally scares people, & in the case of that last crime, given the rate of recidivism, for good reason! A good reason everyone should think of the consequences in the basic, practical realm, before risking jail! That said, some businesses are, therefore, in a position to protect themselves, & of a mind to give folks second chances. When one breaks the law, one shouldn't expect to be welcomed back into society easily. Trust must be earned. Merely having served one's sentence is in no way proof that one has changed one's ways. In fact, few ever really manage to come out of prison without having been trained in far worse crimes than for what they spent time in prison. This is why children are treated differently by the courts, & are sent to less evil & socially toxic environments than their adult counterparts go to. Even then, they come out knowing far more about how to commit crimes than when they entered. There are agencies which will help the couple find & get jobs. I'd look in the yellow pages for such places, were I them. And you & they could pray for them. Maggiepie "He who knows nothing is nearer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods & errors." ~ Thomas Jefferson

If the job is one where the person has to bonded then they couldn't work there if they have felonies. DOn't felonies follow you longer than seven years in some cases? Depends on the circumstances I would think. Hope you get the answers that you seek. Perhaps they need to look into the laws from their side before they apply for certain jobs. Then they aren't so let down and know ahead of time.

I have a half brother who will be out of prison in 2012 and he doesn't stand a chance in our world today. I do know cons have to tell an employer his a con and kinda think the employer doesn't have to hire him. I know it doesn't seem right and the guys who are reformed are in deep doo doo if they really want to go straight. I do think you need more info than I know tho. I just know my half brother will not be able to do much as he's been in prison for too long and he is an old man now. Later, huuggssssssssssssssssssssssssss

In general sense, those people served time before are hard get employed due to their previous record. Most employers won't want these trouble again. Or Like their credit history is ruined already. So, they might search for something else, that is charity work, or something else.

it's difficult for a felon to get a job even after the time has been served-I know some companies go back in yearly increments like 5,10,20 with the passing of time & a good clean record things will get better for your friends. |:)

Just more reasons why criminals should think about what they are doing and NOT BREAK the LAW! They may have been punished and served their time but they have not yet paid the price....they have brought this upon themselves by committing the crime. They are not the only people this has happened to. Others have gone before them and survived and turned things around...they should work their buns off and figure out what to do instead of bludging off others and expecting everything to suddenly be fine. They had lots of time in prison to work out what they were going to do when they got out...they obviously wasted that time.

Hi Lakota, I'm not a lawyer but I do know that they can do that. Some won't hire you even if you were charged with a felony even tho it was dropped. When my daughter was 17, her then boyfriend got caught breaking and entering into places. She was not with him during the crimes and was not involved in the crimes but when they arrested him she was wearing a stolen necklace that he had given her. It was a very expensive necklace that he'd stolen. She had no idea that it was stolen but got arrested and because of it's value was charged with a felony. Later the charge was dropped. She was working at Petco. When they discovered that she had been charged with a felony they fired her on the spot even though the charges had been dropped. Almost all jobs applications ask if you have ever been charged with a felony. Some places will hire you anyway but many won't. I think it must be legal for them to deny you for that reason.

Here you all discussing about big big matters......... I am so junior compare with you, and i hope i am not eligible to answer this discussion, but i want to asking is "I am going study law, is this discussion useful for me?". Care to enlighten me...