[Anonymous]

This is embarrassing and I expect scrutiny and negative responses. But, 6 -10 years ago when I was 18-22 years old I got into some trouble. I used to party a lot and was convicted of disorderly conduct, drunk in public, and possession of marijuana during a 4-5 year period. All were misdemeanors and later expunged. I no longer party and have completely changed my life from those years – complete sobriety, church, education, etc. I have a 3.7 gpa and am actively networking.

Am I screwed when I apply to a public accounting firm? Of course I will be up front and honest (full disclosure) about my past when I was young.

Thanks for any insight.

[Credit Revenue]

If it's expunged they will have no way to know. That's the point in having it expunged. If they are truly expunged you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

@ Credit Revenue

I wish you were correct, but I believe they still show up as being “expunged” on a background check. This means I was convicted of the misdemeanors, but the court later expunged/dismissed them.

Thanks again for any feedback.

[Credit Revenue]

Dismissed will show up. Expunged means it's concealed.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Credit Revenue]

The very definition of expungement is to conceal something unwanted. If they were just dismissed they will show up. You can probably get them expunged and should if they were just dismissed. If they were all in the same town you can call the court and probably just fill some paperwork out.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

@Credit Revenue

I never knew that. I always thought they would show up on a background check even if they were expunged. That's great news, but I will doublecheck because I would never be dishonest with a future employer. That is a big NO-NO.

Thanks for your feedback. I hope you are right!!!

[Credit Revenue]

Did you apply to have them expunged? Dismissed and expunged are two totally different things. Expunged does give you the right to answer no if the question is asked. Dismissed does not and will show up on a background check. The two terms are not synonymous. What I would double check is if they are expunged or just dismissed. If they are just dismissed get them expunged ASAP.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

@Credit Revenue

Yes, they are all definitely expunged. I went back to the courts and had them expunged and received a copy of their expungement. Also, I believe in the state of California if the conviction was 7+ years ago it will not show up on a background check. So, I guess I am good when I apply for a job since all convicted misdemeanors have been officially expunged in my state?

However, a Federal background check (Livescan – used for State Licensing) shows all arrests and convictions regardless of expungement. I must still disclose these convictions when applying for State Licensure. Hopefully I do not run into any problems there.

Thanks again for your help and feedback!

[Credit Revenue]

No, you don't! That's the whole point in getting them expunged. They are concealed. You are good to go.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

But, they still show up on Livescan, which sucks. But, that's for Licensing Purposes and you are fingerprinted and information is sent to the FBI Datbase. I know this because I have done Livescan twice and all convictions and arrests showed up. But, I was able to get one of them deleted due to insufficient evidence.

[Credit Revenue]

If they are expunged I am telling you 100% you are fine. This is the whole point in expungement. It is to give you a clean second chance. If they are expunged call this place you are speaking of and have them removed. I am not trying be a jerk… I am trying to help you. It's plain and simple law. If it's expunged you do not have to disclose. They don't let repeat criminals continue to expunge records. It's your second and final chance. The expungement procedures are there for scenarios exactly like yours. People make a mistake and turn their life around and deserve to be able to pursue a career. I will quit repeating myself, but if they are expunged you do not disclose it. I mean that's almost as dumb as the crime. I know you are wanting to be honest. The truth is they were expunged and it is no ones business. It's the law of our country. I understand your concern. I truly do. I don't think you are truly comprehending the meaning and definition of expungement. If a background company is reporting inaccurate records. Call them and have it removed. This is a touchy subject and background companies normally complete due diligence before reporting records due to liability issues. The State Board is not using a sketch background company that would use inaccurate data.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

@ Credit Revenue

I believe you are 100% right about “applying for a job.” If the misdemeanor has been expunged, then it will not show up in the hiring process in the state of CA. This is great and I was unaware of this until now!

But, I am telling you with 100% certainty that “Livescan” (used for Licensure in CA with fingerprints) finds all arrest records and convictions from the FBI Database. Trust me, I've had it done twice and was only able to get one arrest deleted due to insufficient evidence and documentation by the courts. Otherwise, the arrests and convictions cannot be removed from this Source. However, this is for Licensure purposes and not a company background check.

Also, the State of CA mandates that all candidates must disclose any felony or misdemeanor conviction when applying for licensure, even is the conviciton was expunged. I am 100% sure about this as well.

Thanks again for your feedback and at least I know the Hiring Process will be okay. Hopefully, the State Licensure part goes well too!

[Credit Revenue]

CA sucks. I think you should be fine with the CPA as well though.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

@ Credit Revenue

Thanks for all the feedback. I hope u are right!

Anyone else have a couple misdemeanors that have been expunged??

[Author]

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