Statistics show that more than 70 million American adults have a criminal record, which could mean that at least a third of the U.S population has a criminal record. It should not be taken to indicate that having a criminal record is the norm today. However, we should start thinking seriously about the consequences of a criminal record, especially on employment. To protect their investments, employers base the credibility of a potential employee on their criminal record. What this means is that having a criminal record may make it hard, or even impossible to find suitable employment.
Record expungement is and has always been one way through which people with a criminal record can find employment in the country. With your criminal files deleted, you are legally allowed not to acknowledge or even to deny ever being arrested in your life. Record expungement is meant to protect the privacy of the applicant. It could make it easy for a person who has been arrested in the past to find a good job, school or even access other opportunities that would otherwise be impossible to obtain if their criminal record was accessible to the members of the public. Read further to find out more about Los Angeles Record Clearing Information to learn more on criminal record expungement.
The Need to Give Arrestees a Second Chance
Recently, there has been a proposal by Washington, D.C. Mayor, Muriel Bowser, to wipe out criminal records of those arrestees who did not face conviction. This was done in support of the ongoing efforts by so many other people meant to give arrestees another chance or a clean state that will limit the number of information employers can access on their potential employee’s criminal records. If a person has been arrested in the past but was not convicted, it is only fair to allow them a clean record and access to privileges that would otherwise be impossible if they have a history of conviction.
The second chance bill will also give people who have been convicted of minor misdemeanor offenses and low-level felony offenses a second chance in life to enjoy the same privileges. It will at least improve their job prospects.
The good thing is that today, most U.S states allow the sealing and expungement of criminal records. However, the laws governing them vary from one state to the other. Some states don’t allow for expungement and others only allow expungement of criminal records under particular circumstances. With such laws in place, arrestees who have no record of conviction will not have to worry about finding suitable employment in the future.
What Does It Mean for Employers?
Background checks on potential employees are very beneficial for employers, as they ensure that only credible employees are getting open jobs in their companies. Conducting these background checks is not easy, especially if there are sealed or expunged criminal records. Again, specific state laws do not allow employers to make a hiring decision based on a job-seekers criminal record. In addition to these laws, there are legislative efforts in place that want to increase the list of criminal records that could be expunged or sealed. This makes it even harder for employers to make the right decision when hiring.
It means that job seekers will now have a right to bring a lawsuit against a potential employer for denying them a job opportunity based on their criminal record, especially if those criminal records were already expunged or sealed. However, since this is important for employers, they may have to verify every information they obtain online regarding a potential employee, then make a decision. This way, employers will be able to protect themselves and their companies against liability in case a lawsuit is filed against them.
Even so, job seekers with a criminal record will still run the risk of facing challenges when finding employment. Employers will do anything to keep their companies safe, and this means learning about and keeping up with the relevant laws that govern hiring. If proper rules are adhered to, employers have every right to make a background inquiry on a potential employee’s criminal background. They will use a dependable background screening vendor, and this may still work against the job seeker.
Find Better Employment Opportunities with an Expunged Record
Even with all the protective laws in place, job seekers with an expunged criminal record are still facing obstacles in finding employment. A lot more needs to be done to protect their privacy and improve their chances of finding a suitable job. For more Los Angeles Record Clearing Information talk to an expungement lawyer near you.