Can you get a Job as a Felon and be Morally Upright?

[ScorpioRising007]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

 

[braalian]

yeah, sure why not?

Certain doors will likely be closed, cop or nurse for example

Most manual labor jobs will be open. Factory work or general construction laborer. If they spent time on the inside, hopefully they took advantage of some vocational program.

Some hiring managers are open to giving ex-cons a chance, provided they prove themselves. Even in some customer-facing jobs. I know one who's had a successful job as a car salesman.

One thing I'd advise, the way he describes his felonies (ie "it wasn't my fault", "I was just defending myself") comes across as disingenuous, defensive and like he doesn't take responsibility for his actions. They don't arrest you multiple times for just defending yourself. He can elaborate the circumstances, but make sure he acknowledges he was a knucklehead at the very least and has learned his lesson the hard way and that life's behind him.

That'll come across much better than trying to play it off like he was a victim of circumstance.

 

[JoeMoma]

Romans 3:23–25 — English Standard Version (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

[frigidweirdo]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

Politician springs to mind... though I doubt Trump is very moral at all.

 

[1srelluc]

I know three former felons who kept their nose clean, got their rights back, and did just fine.

One currently works for the US Park Service, one for VDOT, (both supervisors nearing retirement) the last ran his own plumbing company till he passed a couple years back.

The last two I had as convicts on camps myself.

 

[theHawk]

Jesus would be considered a felon. He was accused, tried by a jury of his peers, and sentenced to death by them, tortured, and executed. All while being completely innocent.

 

[Grumblenuts]

The meaning of "D6" appears to vary widely by State.

He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up.

That doesn't flow logically. While child abuse itself is criminal and tragic two wrongs never add up to a right. He didn't "have to" beat anyone "to bloody pulp" and he needs continued mental health counseling if he's still telling others that he did.

I've dealt with many who used just such logic to leverage unearned aid and sympathy who'd then turn right around and bite any extended hand.

Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?

Of course. Being a Lion's Club member is probably worse.

 

[ScorpioRising007]

yeah, sure why not?

Certain doors will likely be closed, cop or nurse for example

Most manual labor jobs will be open. Factory work or general construction laborer. If they spent time on the inside, hopefully they took advantage of some vocational program.

Some hiring managers are open to giving ex-cons a chance, provided they prove themselves. Even in some customer-facing jobs. I know one who's had a successful job as a car salesman.

One thing I'd advise, the way he describes his felonies (ie "it wasn't my fault", "I was just defending myself") comes across as disingenuous, defensive and like he doesn't take responsibility for his actions. They don't arrest you multiple times for just defending yourself. He can elaborate the circumstances, but make sure he acknowledges he was a knucklehead at the very least and has learned his lesson the hard way and that life's behind him.

That'll come across much better than trying to play it off like he was a victim of circumstance.

I am just taking what he said for his word, I never actually was there when it happened. You could be right, he cold be defensive and not taking responsibilities for his actions. I thought that myself.

I really feel bad for the kid... young guy in his early 20's. I have done many things in my life much worse than what he has done and never got charged with a crime and I can say the same with friends I have known. I guess some people get lucky and others very unlucky. I just feel really bad for the kid.

 

[Dekster]

They probably are not going to get a job with requires bonding, but otherwise, they can probably get a job doing whatever they want.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

My good friend made a mistake at a young age, and did 5 years for a crime. Since then, he has brought up a very good family and he works as a lead engineer for a building in silver springs MD. I have no problems with people who fuck up and regret what they did and come straight with society. I cant stand the repeat offenders.

 

[ScorpioRising007]

My good friend made a mistake at a young age, and did 5 years for a crime. Since then, he has brought up a very good family and he works as a lead engineer for a building in silver springs MD. I have no problems with people who fuck up and regret what they did and come straight with society. I cant stand the repeat offenders.

That a great turn around to become an engineer. Unfortunately my family member also has screwed up his education too, high school drop out and working on his GED. I am encouraging him to go into labor and use that as a springboard for the trades. I know people who work with dead bodies at funeral homes who have records and get paid decent money. I also know truck drivers with records. He wants to work at a gas station and I am trying to steer him more toward a career.

 

[Moonglow]

I was a felon and was self-employed for 35 years it never stopped me, I am back in the corporate jungle as management in engineering, but it still has never stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

That a great turn around to become an engineer. Unfortunately my family member also has screwed up his education too, high school drop out and working on his GED. I am encouraging him to go into labor and use that as a springboard for the trades. I know people who work with dead bodies at funeral homes who have records and get paid decent money. I also know truck drivers with records. He wants to work at a gas station and I am trying to steer him more toward a career.

Friends are a good source for getting back to a normal life.

 

[PeterPilot]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

Doesn't it depend upon what the felony is? A crime with a victim is real crime. Crimes with no victims, crimes against the State are not crimes at all. Those poor folks sitting in prison for exercising their First Amendment rights are not criminals at all, yet the state has declared them to be felons.

 

[task0778]

People make mistakes, especially when they are young. I see no reason why they shouldn't get a 2nd chance once they have served their time and become morally upright citizens.

 

[Mashmont]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

I can answer that question as a landlord. In my job, you do everything you can to get the best person, because if you make a mistake, you pay dearly. I had a guy with a felony conviction for fighting a few years before apply to rent a house of mine. When I looked on his FB I saw some profane stuff and said “Nope. This guy hasn’t changed enough to suit me”

 

[Grumblenuts]

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons - JDP

More and more employers are willing to hire people with felony convictions. The chances of landing a job if you have a criminal record depend on more than just the employer’s attitudes, though. Since hiring laws vary across the country, it’s easier for people with a criminal record to get a job...

www.jdp.com

 

[MarathonMike]

Like most things, it depends. One thing is certain. If you are convicted of a felony in a Kangaroo Court under phony charges, then you're good no matter what.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I have come across friends and family members who are felons... What kind of jobs can a felon get and can you be morally upright?

Growing up as a kid things were so black/ white. I viewed people with records as bad people... but now I see things no longer in black and white but shades of gray. I have met a lot of friends and family members, good people who have felonies.

For example I have a family member got charged with a couple D6 felonies for getting in fights and charged with felony battery. He didn't start the fights and tried to turn the other cheek, but when he got jumped he had to end the fight. One felony charge for beating up a father to bloody pulp who sexually abused him growing up. Another charge for getting jumped and punched at a party, he didn't start the fight and tried to get out of fight... but other person wouldn't let him... so he fought back and beat the other person up pretty good. ...he also has had a couple minors for using pot.

What kind of jobs can a felon get? Is he really that bad of a person? Can he get in trades? Go to college and work in business sector?

Not all felonies are equal. A rapist and a person who gets in a fight both can be felons, are they both equally bad?

Should you vote someone in to a morally upright group or nonprofit organization like Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis who is a felon? Since they are felon are they automatically not morally good people to join these clubs? Doesn't the nature of what the felony charge was have a huge impact of the decision? Can a person be a felon and still a morally very upright person? Maybe he got just very unlucky with the Felony charge?


Thoughts?

Folk such as -

Robert Downey Jr.
Tim Allen
Paul McCartney
Stephen Fry

....say, "Yes you can get a job".

 

[ScorpioRising007]

I can answer that question as a landlord. In my job, you do everything you can to get the best person, because if you make a mistake, you pay dearly. I had a guy with a felony conviction for fighting a few years before apply to rent a house of mine. When I looked on his FB I saw some profane stuff and said “Nope. This guy hasn’t changed enough to suit me”

A good reason why I stopped FB all together and deactivated account, too many people track it and what you post on there only can hurt you not help you.

With how hard things become for someone once they become a felon it makes sense why eventually the temptation to commit another crime and go back to jail can seem the best option, because they feel the only way they can survive anymore is to live in prison. Few people will give them jobs and few people will let them rent. With basic needs as having money for food and a place to sleep not being met, it can seem the options are going back to prison or being homeless. Since prison provides food, shelter, and medical care I can see why many choose to commit another crime and go back to prison over being homeless. People talk about racial discrimination, gender discrimination, religious discrimination...but we as society don't want to address the terrible discrimination former felons face once they are out and then people wonder why most go back to prison. If it was easier for them to find a place to rent and a job I am sure rehabilitation rates would be much higher.

The sad part in all this is my family relative I know is really a very good guy. He is a felon and a very morally upright guy. A strong Christian who goes to church every Sunday. He has a wife and a kid. He just made a mistake getting in a bad fight and got a D6 felony. He still is unemployed. He can't even get hired at fast food, I tell him to keep trying.