Apparently I'm a felon.

chipdouglas

chipdouglas

New Member
Previously I had no criminal record, but ten months ago I got a Reckless Driving ticket. It was as bogus as can be (if you are a dubious eye-roller you can PM me for details), and when I was able to prove with photos that the cop could not possibly have seen the sub-10 mph offense from where he was admittedly standing, the judge honored my mitigation with a one year deferral. I have been driving clean for ten months now, and with two months left I just got a speeding ticket for 80 in a 70. Personally I think a 10 mph infraction in a 70 mph zone seems outrageously petty, but ultimately 10 mph over is speeding. Anyway, this means my Reckless goes back on, which in turn makes me a felon since it is, after all, a felony. My question is, is this going to hurt me badly when I try to get a job as a pilot of some sort (CFI/Regional/Major/etc.)? If so, how badly? Will I never find the best jobs, or a job at all?

I am going into the Marines in August and will probably not be seeking employment as a pilot for at least four years, if that makes any difference.
 
Wreckless driving is something you are required to report on your medical. Four years of a clean record will give you something but bummer dude. :(

An ATP license requires you to be of "good moral character".
 
With all the pilot apps out there any airline will take someone with a clean record over someone with a felony. Oppps
 
chipdouglas said:
........ Anyway, this means my Reckless goes back on, which in turn makes me a felon since it is, after all, a felony. My question is, is this going to hurt me badly when I try to get a job as a pilot of some sort (CFI/Regional/Major/etc.)? If so, how badly? Will I never find the best jobs, or a job at all?

I am going into the Marines in August and will probably not be seeking employment as a pilot for at least four years, if that makes any difference.
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I had no idea reckless driving is a felony?!?! Are you sure about that? Does this mean you can no longer vote? What about the Marines.....not sure they like having felons among the rank and file? I'm not advocating your action, but there are a h#$L of alot of other things you could do and not be charged w/ reckless driving.
If it is true, I don't like your odds. As was posted above, it's a weed-out item.....bad driving record.....Into the circular file (garbage can) your app. goes! Of course, time helps to heal the wounds.......gotta start keeping yourself out of trouble w/ the man. Any speeding ticket is a bad thing....etc....
 
Cruise said:
I had no idea reckless driving is a felony?!?!
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It isn't. It's not even a crime, it is a moving violation.

correction: It is a misdemeanor, so it is a crime. But certainly not a felony.
 
I almost got a wreckless driving ticket a few years ago while driving ~ 20mph on a campground where the speed limit was 10. The cop who gave me the ticket was driving a freaking 4 wheeler without radar. Fortunately, I was charged with "Driving in a dangerous manner" or something along those lines, which was basically wreckless driving, but with no people around and a misdemeanor. The judge kindly dismissed the ticket for 90 bucks or something like that.

You might not be totally screwwed. I'm pretty sure a felony is not good for anything. Check with the judge from your last ticket...sometimes those deferral periods are only applicable in the county or state in which you got the first ticket, so if your lame speeding ticket was in a different county or state you might be ok. Maybe you can take defensive driving to get the ticket off the record anyway? If worst comes to worse, you might consider a lawyer.

Sorry to hear about another hard working American getting screwwed by lame police work. Good luck with everything.
 
Wow, right on, I expected a more hostile "you're a punk and you deserved it" type of response than what I got. Reminds me why I still come to this forum.

MTSU: The Corps will take you if you have one felony, assuming all fines are paid up and you are not on any probation/deferral period. Anything above that is an automatic DQ'er.

FLPilot: That's right, the cop told me it was a felony but research proved it was a misdemeanor. Either way, still a crime which in turn makes me a "criminal." It's funny--I don't feel like one.

mhcasey: Regardless of any county/state discrepancies, it looks as if I have no choice but to man up and pay this fine. Already did the defensive driving thing just to get the deferral for the Reckless, so that's out of the question. My other option is to try to pull some strings with the Marines. Interestingly, they can get minor infractions "erased" if it will allow you to join or join sooner. I would have gotten my Reckless taken off for enlisting if it were $201 or less. Anyway, thanks for the kind words and I'll be careful in the future not to endanger the citizenry with my wildly reckless NASCAR 80-in-a-70 stunts.

Anyway, since this is a misdemeanor, will this seriously adversely affect my prospects of employment as a pilot?
 
chipdouglas said:
Anyway, since this is a misdemeanor, will this seriously adversely affect my prospects of employment as a pilot?
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I'm no expert on this, but anything could adversely affect your prospects of employment as a pilot. A bad attitude about this ticket could hurt you more than the ticket itself is kinda what I gather from a few years of reading about interview experiences and stuff like that.

For now, just yell Oh Bob Saget! and hope for the best. (I love your avatar)
 
dude. a DWI isnt even a felony (class A misdeamenor yeah?... its been a while since i took the course sorry)

i guarantee you reckless driving isnt one.







noooo i havent gotten a dui/dwi
 
SHIRLENA?!

Nick said:
I'm no expert on this, but anything could adversely affect your prospects of employment as a pilot. A bad attitude about this ticket could hurt you more than the ticket itself is kinda what I gather from a few years of reading about interview experiences and stuff like that.

For now, just yell Oh Bob Saget! and hope for the best. (I love your avatar)
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Heeeeeeeeeeey!!! Somebody else knows about Tourette's Guy. He changed my life. WWTGD?

Otherwise, I don't think an attitude will be a problem in this case. I think the ticket is petty, but it was technically legit and I don't anticipate going off on some fiery stemwinder if my prospective employer should ask about it.

frog: Yeah, we know it isn't a felony anymore /\
 
yeah i realized it after I posted <3

i was trying to remember what "OHH BOB SAGET!!!" was from but couldnt...

tourrets guy! that was some funny sheet
 
My advice is get a lawyer and do what you can to get it off your record. A few years ago I got an obstruction of justice charge and decided to go with the courts decision to do deferred adjudication. Even though its not on my record the files can still be pulled and will be pulled when your background check is done. Mine was eventually forgiven because the cop threatened to shoot me and did beat me with his maglight so at least I had that goin for me.

Clean your record up and show a change of behavior. Show that you've learned from the experience. Even people with DUI's can get a job with an airline so your not out yet. The fact that you wan't to go join the Marines might sway the judge into wiping it from your record. After all if the Marines cant get you to stand up straight and tuck in that shirt...who can?

Also drive slower...it saves gas:)
 
chipdouglas said:
Previously I had no criminal record, but ten months ago I got a Reckless Driving ticket. ..... the judge honored my mitigation with a one year deferral. .....I have been driving clean for ten months now, and with two months left I just got a speeding ticket for 80 in a 70. ......
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Dude, two months left and you get another ticket....Geez....You knew what would happen, why even risk it......? Driving clean for 10 months, or not getting caught for 10 months???

That being said, I cannot believe that a reckless driving ticket is a felony. If you're going in the service for 4 years, you should be fine when you come out as long as the driving record stays clean. Good Luck.
 
<rant on>

What is it with people asking questions about whether or not a felony or misdemeanor conviction will kill their chances of getting hired by an airline?

Hello, folks? Employers these days do background checks on anyone they are even thinking of hiring. They pull your credit report, your criminal record, everything.

And if they find something, they don't hire you.

It ain't just airlines. It's retailers. IT companies. Publishers. Media companies. Associations.

Can you blame them? Employees have access to corporate assets worth some serious cash. If you're a hiring manager, do you want someone who has shown he may do something stupid with those assets?

Keep your nose clean if you want ANY job. These days, any black mark on that background check and you're done.

<rant off>
 
try and find a good attorney. You might have a long shot at pleading to shomething else. Hard to belive Reckless Driving is a Felony, if you didn't damage any property or hurt anyone.

There were two captains that I used to fly with that had a drug convictions expunged from their records. Just a matter of how much you want to pay a lawyer. One stayed in freight and the other flew with me in the airlines.
 
mhcasey said:
Sorry to hear about another hard working American getting screwwed by lame police work. Good luck with everything.
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Okay buddy keep telling yourself that. I hope one day you need some form of help, and maybe it arrives a little late cause we are out being lame and screwing people. Oh wait, thats all we do. Than maybe you would appreciate a cop. Tool.

Chipdouglas, your best bet is to take it to court. PM me if you need any help. I will gladly help you out.
 
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