Applying for NJ DOC w/ and old arrest record. I am attempting to get expungement done

[NJRuss29]

Hello all. I am happy to be a member of this forum. Thank you all before hand for any advice/suggestions or insight you may have to contribute..

My story:



My name is Russell K. I am 29 years and reside in Lyndhurst NJ. Years back in 1995/96 timeframe, 2 things I had gotton myself in troubles with. I was pulled over for a traffic stop, and found with a personal anabolic steroid in my possession. Then, this is hard to remember, so please bear with me,...most likely before than after I was in an arguement with an individual who was a police officer, and it turned ugly. When I say ugly I mean harsh words were exchanged nothing more. It was a more personal dislike than professional. I was arrested w/ with harassment/ or terroristic threat.. I am unsure of terr. threat,...but am looking into it. I do not think that was the charge, but not 100%. My mothers fiance at the time was a Newark NJ police liutennant and he either helped me with the situation, or I was not charged with that offense. That is why I say unsure. It may have in fact been expunged or not even charged, but I have no idea on how law proceeding go,...so as I am finding out slowly right now. I always had respect for the law, and never was a disrespectful person to any authority or my elders. Theses situations I take responsibility for and wish never happened, but happened regardless.
Ironically, I later very much had an interest in DOC and Law Enforcement as a possible career. I am 29 now (OCT 9) and have been trying depperately to become incolved/employed even though my infractions in the past. I have never been in trouble since, and even my driving record is great. I have talked to a few people in Law Enforcement, and they had advised me an expungement may help my chances of becomming employed within DOC job opportunities. I am hoping it will , and I am, or am not perminantly disqualified.
I took the state NJ test L.EE. and passed with high 80 score, got called for the Juevenile Justice Division out near Monroe Township, and got called for regular Corrections as well, for both hiring processes. I made it all the way up to the psychological exam, and was disqualified because of my infractions as arrest record. The liutennant was a good guy there, and he told me there may be hope but expungement may be a good idea. Even without it is considered, and guys get in with infractions, so case by case bass all things considered, he may call me back if he was advised to do so. I talked to director of Ocean County Joseph Perna, (very nice man), and he advised me the same. Aside from possible L.E. employment these two infractions have no doubtedly have hurt me in other opportunities for job positions, so I have just seen a lawyer today to get them expunged. I am just learning about "alternate route" way to the academy, and class 1/2 oficers? I am attempting to try to become hired within Florida (central) and all parts of New Jesey right now. Whichever trakes me is fine. The expungements are a process and the lawyer says will take time. (1 year up to) if I qualify. He say looks good. He actually was a police officer of 14 years before he became a lawyer,.... I still have many questions to ask him though about my situation. I have to do some legwork, and go to the municipal courthouses and get a copy of information on my arrests from them. He claims they may have been dismissed since they were arrests not convictions. I never was incarsirated in my life, they were merely offenses.

Anyway,....I am looking for all the info I can get, and hoping there may be a chance for me to be "eligible" at L.E. as a career. That is if ever considered to hire me,... that is up to me and my efforts. I have heard there is hope, and I am trying....

I would like to hear what you officers and L.E. professionals think about my situation. I appreciate any information and as brutal honesly as you see fit to include. Good/bad news opinions. I am hoping, reallize my chances are not great, but would like to think I still may have a shot in being at the very least "eligible" for a Corrections position. I am aiming at Florida right now, since I would like to possibly move there. I still have to go through the process there, and am wondering what to put on my application since I am in the middle of expunging records? Records being expunged? I know you have to list expungements as well, but do I put I "in process" or wait? Time is of the essence as I am getting older and I know the cutt of is 35, (I 29) but know the selection process takes time.




Any helh/comments are appreciated
Thank You


Russell.

[scott715us]

You are pretty much headed in the right direction. The attorney you have appointed will probably guide you the best way possible. The attorney will have to do the legwork for the expungement and the judge will have to grant it.

If these charges have kept you from gaining employment as a correctional officer or juvenile officer, more than likely they'll keep you from getting hired in Florida as well. The expungement is probably the best avenue you have.

Although expungements erase any charges from public record, LE agencies will be able to see them. I believe they do help when seeking employment in the LE field. Just hang tight, let your attorney do the work, and re-apply with the agencies you are interested in.

Different agencies have different policies when it comes to employment so we cannot say for sure how it will turn out. Good luck.

[NJRuss29]

Scott,

Thanks a lot for your reply Scott. I really appreciate it. I was told by more than a few people I had talked to (mostly officers themselves) that the expungements will definately help. I do know people that have had infractions on their records and have become employed within law enforcement. It is because of this, I applied in the first place after my arrest record of 2 minor incodents. If having not known, I most likely would never though there was any hope for me. Still, I am not 100% sure, but from the info I gather, it seems so. I think the general concencious is determined by a case by case basis. So it is hard to say who is eligible and who goes (ineligible). I assume now it depends, timeframe, conduct since, charge(s), and mainly the whole situation(s) total. Having Been through 1 selection process before with New Jersey, I am about to try with central Florida right now. Makes sense though,... since I had wanted to move there for quite some time. I think there may be better opportunity there as it is a bigger state. As I understand there is about a 10k difference in slary there for C.O. recruits in New Jersey to Florida. That is fine with me. Even though I am not a resident of Fl right now, I am sure I can apply and wait out the hiring process here living in New Jersey. I am willing to fly out for all/ any tests, interviews, ect.. If by a stroke of luck eventually, I do happen to get selected/offered for employment/academy, then establish residency within the appropriate guidelines soon after. I am reading up on and trying to gather as much info on "alternate route" to the academy to make any attempt "myself" to get things started on my own. I also was told about officer 1st/2 class or something of the like... (auxiliary?) I understand Fl has intern/voulenteer programs for DOC recruits and canidates, but do not think New Jersey has programs of the like available. All in all, I am able, willing, and attempting to gain access to a career in this field. I had a real strong feeling I would have been hired before having taken care of my past infraction(s) by way of lawyer with DOC in NJ. (expungement) I do not completely understand it myself, as I know I have/had to list these arrests "regardless" of expungement to L.E. jobs/ agencies. But, I assume by word "expungement" it helps by showing I was eligible for "forgiveness" being granted expungement by the court. I will see what happens and hope for the best with a positive attitude enough. I am going to continue to keep trying, as it is all I can do myself.


If anybody has any comments/and or advice feel free to post.



I appreciate it.



Thanks Scott/ everybody


Sincerely,
Russ

[NJRuss29]

If anyone has any useful information on central Florida Deparetment Of Corrections employment processes, I would greatly appreciate it. I am just looking into it now, and am unsure myself how the hiring/ selection process goes over there. I am familiar ith New Jersey as I am currently a resident of NJ.



Thanks beforehand.

Russ

[Legoate]

Although you are probably going in the right direction with the expungements, I'd have to agree that the hiring agencies will likely still be able to see that something happened (not sure about your state laws). Personally, I'd stick with what you are doing and also make sure that you are brutally honest during the hiring process. Explain what happened, how you have grown since then, have changed, and how it would never happen again.

Best of luck.

[NJRuss29]

Legoate,

Thanks for responding. I"really"appreciate the help as well....and yes, I agree. I should have explained better before, that I have and again would certainly list the expungements regardless of have been/being expunged when applying for law enforcement jobs. I did when applying for NJ DOC, but I did not go for expungement petition then. i am hoping doing this may help my chances this time. I remember when applying, they ask you this in NJ. I assume it would be the same for every state. It is understandable for L.E. jobs. Now anything else, (outside L.E.) you can say you never were arrested for an offense legally, but again,...I do understand this when applied to LE jobs. At first, I thought, as to "Why bother even get an expungement if i have to list infractions on my record anyway? Seems kind of counterproductive,...right? Well, as I am told,...no. After talking to more than a few other law enforcement personnel, they all said the same thing..."Go see a lawyer and get an expungement." I am guessing it just looks better.... So I got myself a lawyer, and am doing it. I always have been as honest as possible voulenteering any information when asked, and even not asked when applying for the job. I know I dont look all appealing as the other guy that has no arrest record, as opposed to me,...but I am hoping this expungement helps and they look at my will do do the job and overall attitude and want for the job. I just really hope for the shot, and then when up to me, I know can do the rest when/ if accepted into an academy. Also, alternate route acceptance. I will do everything I can to give it 100% and I know I will pass the academy because I have the will, ability, and desire that I can and will do it then. Whatever I am able to do, and what it takes if within my power. I am taking this a step at a time....once I make it through this hurdle....


The lawyer said I may just have offenses, no convictions. That offenses are dismissed after years. I am not sure 100% on everything he was getting into legally with me, but it was a sigh of relief. I have never been to jail, or been to any other courts beside municipal court, paid a fine and that was that with everythuing that happened in these offenses. He said that looks good, and was talking about some charges get dismissed or such.... Again, legal stuff that I am just learning for the first time here...

I am hoping....


Thanks a lot again...





All replies were/ are greatly appreciated.


Thank you both guys.

Sincerely

Russ