How do you answer a question on a felony application?

At the Interview

Give a very brief explanation of your crime including only the necessary information and leaving out the personal details and drama.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Put a positive spin on your experience.
Stress that you’ve turned your life around.
Employer benefits of hiring an ex-offender.

How do you explain a criminal record on a job application?

To tell or not to tell. On the application, write ”will discuss in interview” rather than a lengthy explanation of past convictions. In an interview, keep explanations brief, and stress what you have learned from your conviction and time in prison, how you have changed, and your skills or assets. Be positive!

How do you ask someone if they have a criminal record?

Request your record. If by application, you can get an application from either a local police or sheriff’s department or from the California Department of Justice. Forms are available by calling (916) 227-3849 or online.

Can you ask someone if they are a felon?

When Can You Ask About a Person’s Criminal History? In all states, you can ask about felony convictions before you actually hire an employee. The ban-the-box legislation just prevents you from asking about criminal history before you’re ready to make an offer.

Can you ask why someone was incarcerated?

Increasingly, employers are eliminating from job applications any questions about criminal history such as arrests or convictions. Employer job interviews, however, are sometimes a different matter and an employer may be allowed to ask about an applicant’s criminal history during such occasions.

What comes up on a live scan?

A Live Scan reports all or part of your Summary Criminal History Record, and can also include your Federal Record. The Summary Criminal History Record is the criminal record kept by the California Department of Justice.

What is the difference between being charged and convicted?

You may be charged but the charges may later be dropped or dismissed. Finally, you may be charged, go to trial and be acquitted (found “not guilty”). You are not guilty of a crime. Conviction – A conviction means that you have been found guilty of a crime by a court or that you have agreed to plead guilty to a crime.

How to apply for a job with a felony?

If an employer asks what your convictions were, use the information on the record that you obtained from the police to answer the question. Be as brief as possible and be sure to offer to explain more completely in an interview. The application is not the place to plead your innocence.

Do you have to answer if you have a felony?

Not all applications require you to answer whether you have a felony past. Do not offer the information if you are not asked for it. It is not unethical or illegal to do so. Read the application thoroughly, as sometimes an application may ask if you have been convicted of a felony within a certain time frame.

Can a person be convicted of a felony within a certain time frame?

Time Frame. Read the application thoroughly, as sometimes an application may ask if you have been convicted of a felony within a certain time frame. If you were convicted of a felony eight years ago and the application asks if you were convicted of one within the past five years, you can answer no on the application.

What’s the answer to the criminal record question?

Another question asks if a prior conviction was punishable by more than one year. People often incorrectly answer this question because the offense occurred many years ago or because they focus on the actual sentence that was imposed while the question asks about the sentence that a judge could have imposed.

What to say in an application if you have a felony?

If this is the case, answer “Yes.” Provide some explanation of the conviction, dates and other pertinent information on the application if you have to answer that you have a felony past. One option to help your case when you apply for a position is to attach a short letter to the application regarding your felony.

How to answer application questions about criminal charges?

Please also list any past or present felony or misdemeanor criminal charges, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the criminal proceeding. Your listing should include DWI/DUI convictions, guilty pleas, etc., but exclude minor traffic violations.

Can you get a job if you have a felony?

“A categorical denial of employment opportunities to all job applicants convicted of a prior felony paints with too broad a brush, and denies meaningful opportunities of employment to many who could benefit greatly from such employment,” he said.