I have a question in regards to what can stop me from getting a job in airlines. A little over a year ago i was charged with aggervated assault causing serious bodily injury in Texas. It was dropped to a class A Misdemeanor assault. When i completed probation it was dismissed and i am now working on getting it sealed/expunged. It is my only offense. Before I start ATP flight school and spend all kinds of money I would like to know if getting a job with an airline would be possible. By the time i complete school my record will be completely expunged. Any help, advice or answers would be wonderful. Thanks!
Felony Charge/ Sealed Record
- Thread starter sellers54
- Start date
dustoff17
Still trying to reach the Top Shelf
Expungment of some crimes, especially person crimes, are not erased from Federal records (this changed several years ago). A check of State and local records may not show an offense but Federal records are not held to the same expungment proceedures. Recommend you get with an attorney and have them check exactly what is and is not expunged across the board.
FloridaLarry
Well-Known Member
Plus, there can be clerical / data entry errors, and what is supposed to happen (eg: being sealed or expunged), occasionally doesn't. I second dustoff's recommendations, including an after-it's all-over check, just to make sure. Feedback from a prospective employer about the 'why's may not be complete or accurate, for legal reasons.
Good luck!
Good luck!
dustoff17
Still trying to reach the Top Shelf
True, depending on the "ding". When you're looking at an Aggravated Assault resulting in SERIOUS bodily injury, you've moved into a whole different ballgame!
Texas (the State mentioned by the OP), describes the factors which raise an assault to an aggravated assault typically would include the use of a weapon, the status of the victim, the intent of the perpetrator, and the degree of injury caused.
The "serious bodily injury" is defined as meaning bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
I have no clue what the particulars are of the case involving the OP but this seems pretty severe.....
"Dings", especially on-person crimes might be an issue in future employment. As an employer, I would certainly want to know because I wouldn't want to be the guy responsible for placing two people in close proximty at 38,000' when one has a past such as this. The conflict could have a forseeable outcome.
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thegriffinpages
AKA "Icicles"
I am not an attorney!!!
I'm assuming you plead out in exchange for the probation and the lessor charge?
You're probably going to be fine. When a potential employer does a background check, all that should come up is your conviction for Misdemeanor Assault. They won't know you were originally charged with the Felony Agg Assault.
This applies to companies.
As far as TSA checks go (which is what you'll go through to get an airport security badge and/or Known Crewmember Badge), I'd expect that they would have access to the full files of your court case (and it doesn't matter if you get it expunged or not). What that means in terms of if they approve you for their TSA badge, I'm not sure.
By the way, when court files are sealed/expunged, they are only blocked from public criminal history. Law Enforcement can still get those (sometimes they need a court order).
As other posters stated, have your attorney make sure that everything was handled correctly paperwork-wise so you know exactly what the potential company will find. Also, whatever the final result is, BE HONEST when you fill out your job applications. People screw up, and companies MAY be willing to overlook some things, but if you lie and they find it, then you just look like a scumbag.
I wish you the best of luck!
MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
That may be true in some states but it is not not universally true. There are states in which a public records check shows charges, even if they have been dismissed. That includes felonies pleaded down to misdemeanors. I do some volunteer expungement work for Legal Aid in my state and many of them involve expunging records of dismissed charges which the prospective employee feels have been an employment barrier.
thegriffinpages
AKA "Icicles"
Gotcha. Didn't know that was the case. I know he mentioned Texas specifically and that's the only state that I've had some experience on how those plea deals work.
OP, the best resource is going to be your attorney.
MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
Always.
ghoster
Onward Thru the Fog
I am sorry to tell you but based on your initial post I dont believe that you are eligible for either sealing or expungement. Even though you successfully completed your probation, if you pleaded guilty at the time of your receiving probation, you still have a final conviction for all purposes. The only way around this in Texas is if you received Pre-Trial Diversion and not probation. If you recieved a Deferred Conviction, you may file a Petition for Non-Disclosure but you must wait 2 years after your Deferred period. You may have your terms confused and because of the complexity of the issue I would suggest that you consult your attorney who represented you on the original charge to see if in fact you are eligible.