BY | April 22, 2023

Ever get that sense that you are being watched to a point where you find yourself looking over your shoulder.  It may be instilled by a sense of guilt, yes you took a cookie from the jar without asking, but it may also be brought on by knowing your behavior and actions are being observed so that a form of judgment can be passed.  In a new job, where cameras or new supervisors are watching your ability to complete tasks or how you respond to co-workers or interruptions of routine; the result of the observations will determine whether you remain employed or move along.  For dealing with the aftermath of some bad decisions about what to do, you face the same recovery issues as you restore yourself, your family, work, and legal obligations during a probationary period that you are now bound to complete.

Without going into details on the why’s of your initial trouble activity, remember to take a conscious look at your own situation and consider tidying up. The trend in California is to permit the cleanup of poor behavior to be more achievable, so that the mountain is less of an uphill battle. There are attainable steps that you can take to prevent a long road of dodging the shadows of past wrongs; family and true friends are first line assists, and communities of faith and like-mindedness are yet another stand-by for listening and understanding.

Future Bail Bonds agents want to remind you of a statistic from 2022 that suggests 310 persons are incarcerated every day on average within a population of 100,000; but more reliably, the prisonpolicy.org site claims a total of 0.7% of the US population is incarcerated of 2020.  While that seems to be a very narrow window, every adult has the opportunity to confront jail-time for their over-doings or non-doings.   All have a licensed ally for fast release from their predicament in jail.  Consider reaching out to Future Bail Bonds for reasonable options that limit the stay of someone you care about, and restore normalcy quickly.  That’s the type of help that gives them the supportive arrangements for moving on with life. 

Entering the Work Force

Remember that from the moment that you enter the work force you begin your professional legacy.  You may be working to get through school or pay your portion of the rent until you find something better, but you are starting a history so start it well. The job or what you do may not seem important, but anything you put your time into in exchange for being paid is now part of the government record (in most cases).

You may not want to work as a bus-person in a restaurant, but if you seriously want to keep the job you will show up and do the work without complaint until you find something else and give notice of leaving.  It’s a simple process, especially for starting positions in any branch of business.  Once you establish yourself, you can move on and use that work experience as a positive platform for the next job. Keep in mind that no single job is necessarily “forever” but a starting job is what you will continually do until you find the one that suits you. A professional history is important and honest answers to the question of “have you been arrested for a felony?” and the companion statement given in response to “Please explain” should match whatever emerges in a background check. Do this regardless of the status of your record.

The truthful nature of your answer will prevent any individual or peer group from giving you that closely monitored feeling. You’ve been straight with your employer and it’s better to speak the truth then to be “found out” later.

Future Records

Your job opportunities in the future are affected by background checks and-or the history that you present to employers. All employers like to see a brief history from every candidate who answers an ad, with specific experience listed or applicable education (2 years of accounting classes, etc.) 

Any employer that deals with financial data or transactions is subject to higher insurance rates if they do not run background checks on candidates and anything that may surface in the realm of theft, embezzlement, or fraud will affect you. Most companies that deal with credit or collections may also include a check into your scores with credit bureaus.

Any employer that deals with services that are billable such as mechanical, construction, cleaning, painting, moving, will check previous employers for disciplinary action or reliability. Employer chat can be as damning as a conviction, as many service oriented jobs are dependent upon showing up when scheduled.

Bail bonds agents are required to have passed state licensing exams and must operate within the rules of California, with consumer payment structure and in the exchange of bond for jail release. Future Bail Bonds offers some of the best rates in the state and clearly published information.  

Career Paths that Don’t Require Background Checks

Art in the form graphic design require some education and specific training, and a desire to create without room for error.  This extends to textile design (like T-shirts, fabrics) and or vehicle paint jobs (airbrush).

Licensed cosmetologist or tattoo artist, formal education and testing by state exam to operate or provide the service in hygienic and public safety situations. Note that is very little room for error in these fields, dealing directly with the public.

Labor (commercial) non-specialized.  Painting, office furniture moving, construction site helper, clean-up, landscaping, pool & fountain cleaning.

Fast-food or customer service operations with a mix of stocking, preparation, and physical on-site requirements. Jobs usually do not provide much in “career” development other than introduction to different skills.

Politician.  Usually requires an accredited college degree or legal background, and is a “graduated” position that increases in responsibility as one is promoted through it, great for people who enjoy public speaking or internet presence.

Career Paths Impacted by Arrests

Dealing with financial matters in any form can’t tolerate a felony in the areas of finance or fraud. Misrepresenting yourself or products in order to get persons to invest (buy or take interest) is considered embezzlement.

Many people don’t realize that using the money apps irresponsibly (advancing yourself on pay or deposits that aren’t going to occur) can result in the charge of “kiting” or fraud and is usually levelled by a financial institution.

Any charges of theft or burglary may leave you non-hirable for any position where work is conducted in private homes; activities might include interior decorating, security-entertainment installation, garage door opener servicing, or locksmithing.  However, some people have had the good fortune of becoming advisors for security installation because of their special expertise and reform from the burglary or robbery perspective.

Computer or technology related felonies are mostly treated as theft, hijacking or ransoming information for money.  Forwarding information or collecting information for illegal exchange can be included under these types of crimes.

Unless you are an active professional “driver” an arrest for DUI does not immediately affect your record or ability to remain employed. You may be on probation pending outcome of the court.  Professional driving (Lyft, Uber, Bus, Commercial Carrier) for any union company or under contract with a reputable organization will not be an option after a processed DUI even in a personally owned vehicle (non-working condition). That arrest will remain on record for at least seven years of consistent and violation-free years.  Job termination due to “drug test” results are between the employer and you and will affect their referral of your work history.  When you apply for a job in the future, the 3 months you spent or didn’t spend working at Job X won’t affect your history, but a gap is beyond that or the inability to use that outfit as a reference may hurt you.  You are faced with confessing the circumstances of termination or leaving a five-year work gap which might as well have been jail.

Records Expunged or Sealed

Juvenile crimes are sealed when you have reached 18 years of age in California. Other records for felony arrests (older than five years) may be expunged legally with the help of an attorney.  This does not guarantee that they will not be visible in a background check. However, not all checks are the same. As an example, a person running a background check for you renting an apartment is not necessarily the same check as a bank will use so that you can get a job maintaining the ATMs. 

Control Your Future

What many people fail to remember is that after an arrest and a conviction, your activity is now a part of a criminal record. The consequences from the situation are usually:

• Re-entry into a new career path (starting all over)
• Change of living accommodations
• Transitioning to a different income
• Re-education (school again)
• Compliance with a whole new set of conduct and procedure rules
• Finding new positive support networks (friends, family, advisors).

For every type of trouble (and conviction after arrest), you are in a “RE-BOOT” situation when you return to the public at large.

Your younger family members need your help in making decisions about their future and sometimes need more help than that. Future Bail Bonds agents can help you help your loved one or family member with their first step after an arrest – getting out!  Settle for the best rates and fairest help to get everyone moving on the right step toward returning to normal.