Can this keep me from the police academy????

Question

Can a misdmr. assault charge 8 yrs. ago keep you from the police academy or from becoming a police officer? (The assault charge was over my childrens stepmom hitting on them)

Answer 1

Much of this will depend on the laws of the state you are in.

In California, a battery conviction (and I suspect in California, you're talking about a battery and not an assault), will bar you from possessing a firearm for ten years.  

Also in California, many police academies are taught through local junior colleges.  If you meet the basic qualifications for the college (you must be legally allowed to possess a firearm and pass a limited background check), you can enroll.  That does not guarantee you would be hired by a law enforcement agency.

Answer 2

Was there a conviction or a plea of guilty? If so and it was a domestic violence charge most departments will not hire you. There are no state laws ( that I know of) against the hiring of people even convicted of misdemeanors but it is up to the department or the government entity doing the hiring, Not hiring because of a conviction of any sort is not considered discrimination.

Most states do not allow hiring if there is a felony conviction of any kind.

Now a days the domestic aspect rears large in your background check. That or a s*x related misdemeanor conviction will usually doom you for any public safety job.

In some jurisdictions you go to an academy on your own before hiring, it is up to the academy. In many you are hired first and then attend the academy, in those cases it is up to the department.

Answer 3

Many states have programs where you can expunge old convictions and start anew. Most say you must have:

No crime of violence

Served your full time, including parole/probation, and then some, sometimes up to three times over.

Been a benefit to the public at large, employed, all that good citizenship things.

Show why this would benefit the people.

Then some convictions my be reduced to a misdemeanor and/or expunged.

Stop by your local courthouse and see if they have a "self help" center. If not try looking up your local "Legal Aid Society" They should have the standards you will need to meet.

Even then, some agencies will not hire even if its expunged. But your quality of life will be better without the conviction. Its worth looking into anyways.

You might not make it, but who knows, you might.

Answer 4

Depends.  Were you convicted?  Did it involve domestic violence?  If you answer yes to either of those two questions they probably will pass you over and hire someone else.

If not, you are going to have to do a lot of explaining.  Even then, they may not want to take a chance on you.

Answer 5

yes!

Answer 6

A misdemeanor will not automatically disqualify you, unless it prohibits you from carrying a firearm.

They will have access to the report, and will review the case. The circumstances will be looked at closely.

They do look at the time frame, along with what you have done with yourself since. Eight years is a long time. I've seen people with misdemeanor convictions that make it on to our eligibility list. The two most common indicators they are turning their life around are enrolling in college, and enlisting in the military.

Answer 7

no. if nothing has happened since then, your clear to go, if it comes up later, just say, wow that was so long ago, it never entered my mind. and on the application check no when asked. Be like a politician and keep smiling.

Answer 8

Yep. Doesnt matter how long ago it occurred, its still on your record.