Applying for a job

[fobreeze]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

I was arrested 9 years ago when I was 19 for being a dumb teenager and drinking in the woods. Well it happened to be in a trespassing area and then they searched me and found pot and a pipe.

I got charged for it and then they said once I completed my probation it would be expunged off my record.

I am training for a new job at a casino and they are urging everyone to be "honest" the first time in the application process because other people have said they never been arrested and then it shows up and they may possibly not get hired after that since they lied the first time.

I was told that since it was expunged off my record that it would never show up. Am I safe to put "No" for having a record?

If anyone knows it's GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm really stressing out because I really want this job!

Thank you!

 

[fobreeze]

Also, they say the gaming license is very stringent because it's a highly regulated industry. That's why I'm worried they could find it.

I looked for my records on this website where you can do it for free: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us

I have a couple speeding tickets that show up, but nothing from this shows up. I didn't pay for a full background check on any website and I'm not sure if that's something I should do or not.

 

[FlyingRon]

Was it "ARD" you were on? If so, if you successfully completed it, there is no conviction and you can answer "no" as a result.

 

[STEPHAN]

Why not use a professional company (not just some website) to do a full background check (the same one the casino would do) and really find out what is in your records? Can't hurt.

 

[PaulMass]

There are professional background check companies that may still have the information. When you were arrested, that information (likely) was a public record, and someone could have found out about it. When it was expunged, PA removed the record, but anyone who may have had known about it didn't "forget". If your employer checks with one of those companies, you're sunk.

There's also the Interstate Identification Index, maintained by the Feds. They don't always get the message that the record was expunged.

 

[fobreeze]

There are professional background check companies that may still have the information. When you were arrested, that information (likely) was a public record, and someone could have found out about it. When it was expunged, PA removed the record, but anyone who may have had known about it didn't "forget". If your employer checks with one of those companies, you're sunk.

There's also the Interstate Identification Index, maintained by the Feds. They don't always get the message that the record was expunged.

Why not use a professional company (not just some website) to do a full background check (the same one the casino would do) and really find out what is in your records? Can't hurt.

Erg… That's not what I was hoping for. The attorney I had at the time said that I could always put "no". I don't know of a company that would be able to do a background check for me. Is there a thorough background check company that you would recommend?

 

[fobreeze]

Or do you think I should just put that I was arrested and it was considered a misdemeanor?

 

[STEPHAN]

I would be totally honest. Honesty creates trust.

 

[commentator]

I would be totally honest. Honesty creates trust.

No, actually honesty creates a "not hired" prospective employee who was dumb enough to tell them everything! Give us a reason not to hire you. I would bet they don't really go to the trouble to find out everything no matter what, that's expensive and takes a long time and they might very well not go to the trouble if they're really hunting for employees. But they'll certainly lie to you and try to sucker you into telling them about anything and everything so they don't HAVE to go dogging through old records and finding out about expunged things. I've heard employers laugh about doing that very thing.

Famous statement at the end of the interview: "Now, what we need to know about you, we will find out. So before this goes any further, is there anything you need to tell us about?" And they laugh their heads off at some of the things people tell them in the name of being perfectly honest and creating trust. Yeah.

 

[fobreeze]

No, actually honesty creates a "not hired" prospective employee who was dumb enough to tell them everything! Give us a reason not to hire you. I would bet they don't really go to the trouble to find out everything no matter what, that's expensive and takes a long time and they might very well not go to the trouble if they're really hunting for employees. But they'll certainly lie to you and try to sucker you into telling them about anything and everything so they don't HAVE to go dogging through old records and finding out about expunged things. I've heard employers laugh about doing that very thing.

Famous statement at the end of the interview: "Now, what we need to know about you, we will find out. So before this goes any further, is there anything you need to tell us about?" And they laugh their heads off at some of the things people tell them in the name of being perfectly honest and creating trust. Yeah.

Ok, here are all of the details. It's a gaming license I'm applying for and it's a state license. I found the application online and it states that you HAVE to list all charges against you EVEN if it is expunged off your record and you have expunge documents.

When I was a dumb teenager 9 years ago (when I was 19). I got caught in the woods drinking underage and they searched me and found pot and a pipe etc and it was in a trespassing area :/. They had no mercy for being stupid. I ended up getting 6 months of probation and it was expunged off my record. The biggest charge was considered a misdemeanor.

I haven't been in any kind of trouble since. I found this regarding PA's gaming license and what they would deny you for:

Casino employee (gaming employee)

License or permit will be denied for felonies and gambling offenses within 15-years.

When evaluating an application after 15 years, the Gaming Control Board will consider:

(1) the nature and duties of the applicant’s position;
(2) the nature and seriousness of the offense;
(3) the circumstances under which the offense occurred;
(4) the age of the applicant when the offense was committed;
(5) whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident;
(6) evidence of rehabilitation.

Should I be worried? I'm leaning towards listing it for sure because I heard of someone else that didn't list it and they said the casino wouldn't hire them after that and another person didn't list an underage drinking and they had to go back through the process again, but they still hired him. He didn't think it was still on his record but it was…

What would you do knowing all these details???? SERIOUSLY, thank you all so much for your input! It's greatly greatly appreciated!!!!

I also know that the casino wants to hire me because I'm doing well in the class. I'm just worried about the state license mainly, but I guess the casino could still consider this as well.

 

[Shadowbunny]

Ok, here are all of the details. It's a gaming license I'm applying for and it's a state license. I found the application online and it states that you HAVE to list all charges against you EVEN if it is expunged off your record and you have expunge documents.

When I was a dumb teenager 9 years ago (when I was 19). I got caught in the woods drinking underage and they searched me and found pot and a pipe etc and it was in a trespassing area :/. They had no mercy for being stupid. I ended up getting 6 months of probation and it was expunged off my record. The biggest charge was considered a misdemeanor.

I haven't been in any kind of trouble since. I found this regarding PA's gaming license and what they would deny you for:

Casino employee (gaming employee)

License or permit will be denied for felonies and gambling offenses within 15-years.

When evaluating an application after 15 years, the Gaming Control Board will consider:

(1) the nature and duties of the applicant’s position;
(2) the nature and seriousness of the offense;
(3) the circumstances under which the offense occurred;
(4) the age of the applicant when the offense was committed;
(5) whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident;
(6) evidence of rehabilitation.

Should I be worried? I'm leaning towards listing it for sure because I heard of someone else that didn't list it and they said the casino wouldn't hire them after that and another person didn't list an underage drinking and they had to go back through the process again, but they still hired him. He didn't think it was still on his record but it was…

What would you do knowing all these details???? SERIOUSLY, thank you all so much for your input! It's greatly greatly appreciated!!!!

I also know that the casino wants to hire me because I'm doing well in the class. I'm just worried about the state license mainly, but I guess the casino could still consider this as well.

Doesn't the bolded answer your question?

 

[HighwayMan]

If it's the state doing the check then they will probably see your arrests not just your convictions. When I run a criminal history on someone I see everything. I'd bet the same holds true in PA.

 

[STEPHAN]

No, actually honesty creates a "not hired" prospective employee who was dumb enough to tell them everything!

Well I have a different opinion.

I do a lot of background checks and I see a lot of "history". We don't automatically decline people because of something that happened a long time ago, especially when they were young. But we decline people who have not learned to be honest by now.

Also, this is about a state license, they really see everything.

I am sure you can see the arrest on the records.

OP can explain this and should. If he is dishonest, he will not get a chance to explain.