Finding a Job After a Criminal Conviction

The criminal justice system can be confusing and overwhelming. For guidance about criminal procedures and help building a defense, contact a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.

Learn More About Criminal Defense

If you have been charged with any crime, from petty theft to homicide, you are facing the full power of the government. The rights and best interest of the accused are not the primary concern of the state. That is why it is important to have a criminal defense attorney to represent you.

To learn more about criminal law, please review the general information below and visit our firm overview page.

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Without an adequate defense, innocent people can get caught up in the criminal justice system and suffer needlessly. Don't put yourself at risk. Contact criminal defense attorney Raymond Sprowls.

Mr. Sprowls is a former New York City prosecutor who is now a defense lawyer working on behalf of the accused. To put his knowledge and experience to work for you, contact his law office Hudson Valley law office.

Finding a Job After a Criminal Conviction

If you have been convicted of a crime, you may wonder if you will be able to find employment. Employers are becoming increasingly concerned about knowing whether applicants have criminal records. Part of this concern stems from large jury verdicts that have been rendered against employers for negligently hiring people with criminal histories who subsequently caused harm to others while on the job. Another concern for employers relates to whether they will have to disclose the criminal conviction. For example, if a company is trying to raise capital, it may need to make certain disclosures to a bank. Will the company have to disclose that an employee has a criminal conviction for embezzlement or money laundering?

The laws about which criminal records an employer must or may access, what an employer may ask a potential employee and what the job applicant must reveal vary widely from state to state. If you have a criminal record and are looking for a job, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in criminal law, like an attorney at Raymond D. Sprowls, Attorney at Law in Montgomery, New York, so that you go into the job search fully informed of your rights.

Conflicting Public Policies

On the one hand, the public wants to reintegrate into society people with criminal histories, rehabilitated and gainfully employed. A routine schedule and regular income lessen the likelihood that a person will reoffend, but a person with a criminal record may face prejudice in the job application process. On the other hand, it is important to protect the public from contact with prior offenders who may have propensities to re-commit. For example, convicted sex offenders should not work with children or vulnerable adults.

How Much to Reveal

Depending on the state, an applicant may not have to reveal any or some types of potentially damaging information, such as arrests not resulting in convictions or convictions for minor matters. Some states have procedures to judicially “erase” a criminal record. A criminal defense attorney can help determine whether you may be eligible to get a conviction sealed, expunged or otherwise legally minimized.

Tips for Workplace Re-entry

Be honest. Employers are interested in employees they can trust, and almost all information on a job application can be checked and verified. Even if it may close the door to certain positions, telling the truth is the best way to get a job that the applicant can keep over the long haul. Remember, in some states not all convictions must be revealed nor can potential employers ask for certain information.
Start the job search with family, friends and acquaintances that may be more likely to take a chance on hiring someone they know, despite a criminal record.
Do not expect the first job after a conviction to be your ideal job. It is more important to get started somewhere and create a track record, since employers know that a good indicator of future job performance is past job performance. Consider temporary or entry-level positions to build your résumé.
Understand where the employer is coming from. It has to balance its legal and ethical obligations to you, to its employees and to the public.
Investigate employment services. Most states have public agencies that administer programs to help people find employment, sometimes specifically designed for those with criminal histories.
Refrain from alcohol and drug use. Some employers require employee drug testing.
Consider the nature of your past offense. Apply for jobs where that kind of offense is less likely to be an issue of concern.

Conclusion

Completing a prison term or paying a fine can be just part of the price of a criminal conviction. The conviction can also affect post-conviction employment opportunities, but some employers are willing to give those with criminal records chances in appropriate circumstances. One job - any job - can be the first step toward rebuilding a career and a life. A lawyer at Raymond D. Sprowls, Attorney at Law in Montgomery, New York, can talk about various options and offer advice on planning for the future.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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Recent Case Results

November, 2009:
Two men were arrested in a car after police claimed they had seen the driver (Mr. Sprowls’ client) throw a quantity of cocaine out the window and on to a city street. At a pre-trial suppression hearing, Mr. Sprowls successfully argued to the judge that the evidence should be suppressed. Once the evidence was suppressed, the D.A. had no choice but to dismiss all criminal charges. The defendant ended up pleading guilty to a speeding ticket!
October, 2009:
A few months after Mr. Sprowls’ client was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, Mr. Sprowls got the felony charges dismissed. The defendant had been found inside an apartment with prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in the room next to where the defendant was standing. Mr. Sprowls used his extensive knowledge of search and seizure law and the facts of the case to convince the D.A. that the case could not be proven against his client and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.
August, 2009:
The police arrested two boys and charged them with felony Criminal Mischief, claiming the boys had caused damage in excess of $500.00 to a local municipal park. The boys denied the charges. The end result? Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed in exchange for the boys’ promise each pay only $100.00. The moral of the story? Never accept the word of the police as truth -- they lie and exaggerate just as much as anyone else.
August, 2008
Two men were arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Mr. Sprowls' client had just finished serving 22 years in state prison and was on parole.

Within five weeks of the defendant's arraignment, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and the defendant is a free man.
March, 2008:
A high school-aged boy and four of his friends were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted of the Burglary Charge as an adult, Mr. Sprowls’ client could have been sentenced to anywhere between 5 and 25 years in state prison. In October, 2008, after extensive investigation and interviews with witnesses, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and his client’s bright future remained intact.
February, 2008
Five people were arrested in a commercial establishment during the execution of a search warrant. The store was a "weed spot" and had been selling to a steady stream of customers for months.

Mr. Sprowls' client was in the common area of the store when the police entered and no marijuana was found on his person.

Within a month of his arrest, Mr. Sprowls got the case against his client dismissed.
December, 2007
Two men were arrested in the City of Newburgh and charged with multiple Class D Felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mr. Sprowls' client had a lengthy criminal record going back over thirty years with a prior felony conviction. The D.A. was out for blood and insisted that the two men would go to state prison for these crimes.

Of course, Mr. Sprowls could represent only one of the defendants. After investigating the case and researching the applicable law, Mr. Sprowls advised his client to refuse all plea offers and to remain ready for trial.

The co-defendant was subsequently indicted and his case was transferred to County Court where he is looking at a state prison sentence.

Mr. Sprowls' client is now a free man. Because Mr. Sprowls knew the law and the facts of the case, all of the charges were dismissed and the defendant is home with his family.