(ThySistas.com) Most people that have a criminal record will immediately think that they have no chance of breaking free from that stigma. They think that they’ll never find decent work again as long as they have that mark on their record and they’ll assume that their life is pretty much over. While this may work for some people as a deterrent to ever do anything against the law, the reality is that a lot of people end up with criminal records over very small things.
Understanding your rights
The first step to take is to understand your rights. For instance, you should contact the department of labor to check what pre-employment screening laws apply to people with criminal records in your region. For example, you may be able to claim that because you are in a minority (such as Hispanic or African-American) you’ll be able to force an employer to consider multiple factors before just factoring in the fact you have a criminal record, even if you’ve just been convicted of a crime in the past but don’t actually have a record.
Avoiding the situation in the first place
Of course, if you’re able to avoid the situation in the first place then it’s probably the best option you have. Whether it’s relying on bail bonds or asking a reputable criminal lawyer to defend you, there are options to ensure that you never end up in this situation ever again. We would recommend that you focus on preventative measures instead of reactionary tactics because once the mark is on your record, it’s very difficult to remove and could potentially limit you from doing the things that you want to do.
Have your criminal record combed for errors
Most people don’t realize that criminal records can have out-of-date information or even incorrect information. For a small fee, a private investigator will be able to gather all of the information that is publically available on you. This will give you an idea of what information is available on your record and it can help you sort out any errors that are portraying you as somebody that you are not.
There are no-background-check jobs that can help you
There are actually many different options for career choices that don’t rely on a background check. For instance, if you’re doing something related to technology such as programming or developing apps for mobile devices, then there’s a good chance that you won’t be subject to a background check and you’ll be able to get the job without being discriminated against. Many freelance careers are also free from the stigma you get with a criminal record, so don’t just assume that you can only earn a living with a regular salary job.
As you can see, there are some options that you have as someone with a criminal record. If you’re unable to find work or feel like you have no career prospects, then rest assured that there are ways to help you get back into the workplace.
Staff Writer; Susan Love