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Bethjohnson · Feb 15, 2011, 10:04 PM

I am a new user on here, and I have been seeing a lot of the questions I have been wondering being answered, but I have one that I'm still not sure about.
I am a 28 y/o convicted felon, of a violent crime. I completed my sentence going on 4 years have been out of prison for 7 years. I keep hearing that employers only look back 7-10 years, is that from the date of the conviction or the date I finished my sentence? I am looking to go back to school, for what I'm not certain as of yet. I am currently self-employed as a hairstylist, but not for my love of hair. This isn't how I want to spend the rest of my life. Was thinking real estate or something since my first choice is now out the window ( forensic science). Any and all advice would be much appreciated! I am wanting more for my son, to actually be able to watch him grow up. I work entirely too many hours and am away from him too much and make way too little.

AK lawyer · Feb 15, 2011, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bethjohnson

... I keep hearing that employers only look back 7-10 years, ...

I believe they can ask you if you have ever been convicted.

Bethjohnson · Feb 15, 2011, 10:20 PM

I realize that and have never said that I wasn't on an application, just wondering if it really made a difference as to the time frame. I am just trying to better myself and my son's future by getting a better and more reliable career. Maybe I didn't ask my question clear enough... Will it help my situation if I was CONVICTED 7 years ago or do they look at when I COMPLETED MY SENTENCE?

ballengerb1 · Feb 16, 2011, 12:44 PM

I think what AK was saying is that your thinking "I keep hearing that employers only look back 7-10 years, is that from the date of the conviction or the date I finished my sentence" is not correct and they can ask if you were ever convicted. When there is any limitation it is back to the date you were convicted. Maybe you will consider undoing the bad rating you gave AK, he was trying to explain this to you. Thanks

JudyKayTee · Feb 16, 2011, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Bethjohnson

I realize that and have never said that I wasn't on an application, just wondering if it really made a difference as to the time frame. I am just trying to better myself and my son's future by getting a better and more reliable career. Maybe I didn't ask my question clear enough.... Will it help my situation if I was CONVICTED 7 years ago or do they look at when I COMPLETED MY SENTENCE?

Why the bad rating when you got accurate legal advice?

Not a good idea to bite the very people trying to help you.

At any rate - as I understand it you were CONVICTED 7 years ago; you want to know if a background check will look at when you COMPLETED YOUR SENTENCE. The caps are yours.

A background check will go back to the beginning of time. It is legal to ask "ever;" it is legal to search "forever." Yes, the felony will show up.

Does that answer your question?

Fr_Chuck · Feb 16, 2011, 02:19 PM

There is no truth that they only look back 7 years, our company will look at anything forever ( 20 years or more)
We question have you ever, and we mean ever, had a felony and we search our entire record.

They only look at the last 7 years of a drivers license record for those purpose

Bethjohnson · Feb 16, 2011, 03:16 PM

I apologize for the bad rating, but I didn't feel that it answered my question. Now that it has been explained more thoroughly, I understand. I was looking for more than one sentence to answer my question. Sorry. I will remove it.

Bethjohnson · Feb 16, 2011, 03:24 PM

How do I take it off?

JudyKayTee · Feb 16, 2011, 04:04 PM

Unfortunately, you can't.