Do I deserve to become homeless because I have a criminal record; should I just admit defeat - call it quits?

Question

I'm 38 and I have a criminal record for a slew of non-violent theft charges all committed within one year, 15 years ago. Since then I have worked as a Paralegal and as a bookkeeper with no incident. The week before last X-mas I forgot to pull 2 kid's DVD's from the top of the shopping cart while using the auto check out at the grocery store;I had $400+ in cash on my person. I was stopped out front and tried to explain, but the store had a zero tolerance policy and I received a less than $50 petty theft ticket. My attorney had me plead "No Contest" (basically guilty) in light of my past record. I quit my job last month because I was working 10-12 hours plus 2 hour round trip commute, while only being paid for 8.

Now I can't find a job and I am running through my savings quickly, despite making every personal budget cut back I can.

I am a loner, aside from my cat who thinks she's a dog.

My only choice seems to b to die, but I'm having trouble mustering the courage to do so.

Answer 1

man, i hate stories like this! its a messed up system.... all you can do is fight!

Answer 2

Don't give up. When one door closes another will open. You need to seek some help and most areas have a crises help line listed in the phone book. Ask for some guidance on what you can do to make your life better. Life is full of big boulders blocking ones path. Take a deep breath and walk around it. Murphy's law is stuff happens. You can do this, just believe in yourself. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 3

mmh...Criminal record?

You're perfect for a job as a school janitor, school counselor, substitute teacher, daycare attendant, mayor, $15 an hour mailman and many other positions with a variety of municipalities.

All these folks that held these types of jobs I found out on the news as having criminal records far worse than yours, some were even pedophiles and they'ld been working in these jobs for decades.

So I don't think you'll have a problem because background checks don't seem to be as accurate or even conducted as many had thought.

I think you should be honest and upfront with future employers and explain your situation as you did here.

Don't worry it's really hard to become homeless in this country with the amount of resources available unless that's exactly what you really want to do. Some just want to stop climbing and fighting and homelessness seems like a way to escape this.

Answer 4

No. But you do need to change your attitude because others can read 'defeat' written all over you, especially in a job interview.  Take a little time for yourself, get outside, eat healthy food, and no drinking or drugs. You'll soon snap back.

Answer 5

No you do not deserve to become homeless becuase you have a criminal record. There are not a lot of jobs out right now, you might have to take a S****y job until you can find a better one. Do not give up. There  is still hope.

Send your resume out to everyone and anyone, and as long as you are honest, you should get tons of interviews.

Good Luck

Answer 6

You need to move to Alaska,,,really

Answer 7

You are depressed, and although it is perfectly normal do be depressed for about 2 weeks of each year, you haven't...

Seek your GP for advice and anti-depressants, and also seek counseling...  there is a lot of on line resources on this also, simply google it.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

No.  Think of something. Keep trying and change that attitude. Is it really because of your criminal record?  Is it the area?  Other factors?

Answer 9

There are still plenty of options out there for you. You just haven't found them yet. There's a job agency that helps people with a criminal record find a job.

Answer 10

Find people to talk to.  Consider moving to a different place and starting over.  Pray.  Take a job that you might consider to be "beneath" you, but that will give you some cash.  

You can turn this around.  Don't give up!