Hello,
I am a college student that has been convicted of selling drugs at campus by undercovers (a felony). I have been trying to get good grades and move ahead. I know I'll need to work a little harder to get a job, that is why I am starting with getting good grades. I had many questions as to how this will affect me, but after reading this site, I found great relief in finding out this isn't the end of the line for me, and I appreciate the attitude amongst you unlike other sites (probably run by law enforcers) that makes it sound like felons are sub-human.
I would like to enter into the electrical engineering field, and after reading this site it seems many projects require government clearance. You are not allowed to work on government jobs if convicted of a felony? I thought it was against the law to discriminate based on the fact of a conviction.
However, I can apply for a Certificate of Relief from Civil disabilities, which supposedly restores all my rights. (This happened in New York) Will this certificate carry out throughout the states, and more importantly allow government clearance?
Sadly, New York does not allow for expungements or sealing of any felony convictions no matter how much time has passed, thus this seems the best that I can do. =(
I've had dreams of owning a hotel, or a bar, or something like that in life. I hear it is hard to get a liquor license if you are a felon, but the Certificate of Relief will allow you to get one. Will the certificate carry out its effectiveness to other states? Thankfully, I am not a New York resident, I was just going to school there.
Also, do you think that by joining the army would help my case? I want to prove that I am not different than anyone else, and would like to prove that I am respectful and simply made a mistake. I know a lot of people that are "felons" but aren't labelled as such -- for they haven't been caught and I have!
Thanks for your time.