Criminal Record

Several years ago, when I was younger and more brash, I was arrested. I don't know what the charge was. I didn't feel I deserved a ticket for being at the beach after hours and wasn't forthright with my name when the police officer asked. That's when she arrested me. When I appeared before the judge a few months later I pled "no contest" and paid a $20 fine. I just wanted the whole thing behind me. About five years after the incident I wrote the court to find out what the charge was. They wrote back and said that they had no record on me. I have had a few jobs since that incident which have required background checks and I have had no problem. But, now that I'm trying to get a teaching job the background checks are showing an arrest. I paid a lot of money to go to school and get my credential. How can I find out what the arrest was for so I can get work?

You can go to the county court house where the charge was and go to the clerk's office (district or county) and request a copy of your criminal charges. It costs around $10.00. You will have to show your valid drivers license, sign a paper that allows the information to be gathered, and it takes around 10 minutes to get. It is standard procedure for many jobs and security clearances. I don't know how you would do it by mail if it happened somewhere else but usually, the clerks are very helpful and will lead you through the process.