California Background Checks - Not expunged

[destro]

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

Hi, I am in the process of completing a job app (not health, law, education, or licensed profession) and they are asking about criminal history in regards to felony and misdemeanor charges and to provide dates/places/details.

I have a juvenile felony conviction for extortion and a misdemeanor for graffiti as an adult

I have not expunged either convictions.

searching around I am reading that background checks in CA only go back to 7 years. How true is this?


Should I bother even stating my past and if so how much detail needs to be provided?

thanks in advance!

 

[CdwJava]

You are free to lie on the application, but a LIE would be a guaranteed job killer. And while the pay background check sites might go back only 7 years, if their background includes conversations with people that know you and they spill it, then you could be exposed as a liar if you failed to disclose the true findings.

However, if these were true findings in a juvenile court, they will not be publicly accessible even if the court records are sought. So long as this is a private employer and not involving a security clearance or government contract that might require such a check, this shouldn't rear it's ugly head by way of a public records check.

Oh, and I doubt that they asked about misdemeanor and felony "charges" as that would be unlawful. I suspect they asked about CONVICTIONS. Read the paperwork and see if they give any caveats, such as a time frame or offenses that were sentenced as an adult.