I'm really concerned about the charges on my record. I was attacked by someone, my husband's ex-wife to be exact, and we both were charged with disorderly conduct-fighting in public. I explained to the judge that she struck me first, I dialed 911, she knocked the phone out of my hand and started hitting me more. I fought back, of course. I felt more to protect my 7 year old daughter sitting in the vehicle watching the whole thing. After the fight was over, I picked up the phone and they were still on the line. When I had to see the magistrate, I plead not guilty because I felt I was not in the wrong since she struck me first. So it went before the court, same magistrate, and I we were both charged with disorderly conduct. The other person was summoned to appear and give her side, but never was I told to bring my daughter to stand up on my behalf even though they questioned her that night as well. They never mentioned anything about the 911 call recording either. If I remember correctly, it was stated that I was being charged because I didn't take my daughter and head over to the sherriff's office. Why? And put my daughter at risk to get hurt too? I was always told to never leave the scene of a crime once the call was placed to 911, so I stayed. I'm sure if I left I would have been slammed with leaving the scene of a crime or something. Anyway, my situation is this: I am in nursing school, and I have been applying for CNA positions, and I am running into the problem where none of the employers will hire me because of this charge. I'm extremely upset because I have spent the past several years preparing for the nursing program, I finally get accepted, and now I run into this. I have had background checks ran on me from the college, and I was still accepted into the program. Is there anything I can do? I feel like my dreams are being shattered for something that I did not even start.

College doesn't really care whether you have charges for the most part. It's a business and they want your money regardless of whether they feel you won't make it or will. College was the easy part. Getting hired, as you already know, is the hard part. So were you convicted of these charges? I am presuming you were because if you were offered a deferred adjudication or conditional discharge, you may have had an easier time although a licensing agency, like the nursing board, has every discretion to not grant you a license if you had a criminal record. But since you're already applying to jobs, I assume you are already licensed? The only thing you can do is to try to apply for a an expungement. The laws differ in every state but if this is your only charge then I believe you have a shot. It will depend on your state though. Some states allow it, some don't unless the arrest was unlawful. Look into it. If it's not possible, do not give up. Keep trying.

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Originally Posted by BettyinIowa

Anyways, my situation is this: I am in nursing school, and I have been applying for CNA positions, and I am running into the problem where none of the employers will hire me because of this charge. I'm extremely upset because I have spent the past several years preparing for the nursing program, I finally get accepted, and now I run into this. I have had background checks ran on me from the college, and I was still accepted into the program. Is there anything I can do? I feel like my dreams are being shattered for something that I did not even start.

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You will have a great deal of difficulty getting a license. Some States evaluate applicants on a case-by-case basis but a charge involving physical violence (and, yes, I understand the circumstances) is going to make getting hired extremely difficult.

I would consult with an Attorney but I do see problems.