A little guidance please...

[azjusticestudnt]

I am a criminal justice student, about to finish my associates degree. I have always wanted to be an officer, ever since I was a little kid. My dream job today would be to be a homicide detective. I do, however, have a large hurdle in my way. I was conviced of a class 4 felony in Arizona at the age of 17. I was convicted of Attempted Agg. Assault and successfully completed a probation program. It was the only time I have ever been convicted of a crime. I was just wondering, if another state would not have charged me as an adult for the crime, do I have a leg to stand on when it comes to applying for a job as a police officer. Are there any departments that would except a felony conviction? I know the outlook is bleak, but I have absolutley no doubt that I could pass, with flying colors, any other facet of testing. My final question is, what other jobs are out there that would allow me to operate in an investigative capacity, if I cannot get over the felony hurdle with a police department. I do plan on earning at least a masters degree, perhaps even a juris doctorate one day, so I am also interested in jobs within the criminal justice system that would take full advantage of my education.

Thanks much for taking the time to read my questions

Dave

[irishlad2nv]

My suggestion is and take a deep breath and big step back with this one and do a freaking search on the forums because this type of question is brought up at least twice a WEEK!

A felony conviction and get into LE you want to know? Um...no. Unless by all means some dept feels sorry for you and since you are a CJ student, which by the way, you need not mention your life story/background on education in here....worthless.

I would really think about going into something else related to your CJ degree, if thats what you so choose to go for? LE may be your life-long goal, however, a felony conviction, you can kiss it good-bye. I would seriously look into Parol/Probation or maybe Corrections? However, again with the Felony conviction and having to carry a weapon, may not be your best career choice.

You may want to look into Loss Prevention since it seems you are going to spend your education on CJ....thats investigative work or maybe an Insurance Company.

Soryr if I came off harsh, but your story is not new here and its get old after a while hearing..." im a CJ student"...have a nice day:)

[tripledouble]

Have you talked to a recruiter with the armed forces? Is there a possibility of getting into military police?

[irishlad2nv]

Have you talked to a recruiter with the armed forces? Is there a possibility of getting into military police?

That would be another obstacle for him to go through. It's hard enough for some people to get into the military with Felony Convictions, let alone being an MP. But even now, the MPS in the Army at least are not doing LE work. Their main purpose in life is to train to go to war.

just my .02 there...

[phialpha56]

since you were a minor was it expunged from your record. I am pretty sure that the military does not accept felonies. if you are interested in the military go and talk to a recruiter but be advised like irish said you will be in the sand box soon.

[Rolla]

The Army will most likely except you with the felony. I was in the USCG and now in the USAF, no chance to get in either of those with a felony. But the Army is killing for people, I know a kid who just left for basic with a felony in his background.

[spikeone66]

I know a lot of "gang-bang'rs" who had been arrested and convicted as minors in California and have become fine officers. You also can have your files sealed since you were a minor. Most of the requirements state you must not have been convicted of a felony as an adult and it always goes by the laws of the state you were convicted in. They don't say you have to have been a minor to serve your sentence. So my advise would be to not give up and always be honest. If they ask, tell them the truth. You were young and stupid

[Max Fischer]

Hola,

In AZ, juvenile convictions, charges, etc. are NOT automatically dropped when you turn 18, as opposed to other states. There is a process that must be conducted to even try and drop the record. I know it is tough to do with a misdemeanor case, let alone a felony, but you should at least try.

I admire your drive and desire to help others, but as was mentioned earlier, you might need to apply that drive in another way.

I don't know about the military, and it seems like they make decisions on a case by case basis, so you will need to call them and do your research. You can also contact AZPOST, and see what their take on this is. They are the regulatory body for AZ LEOs and they can give you a quick and easy answer. Or you can check them out online at:

http://www.azpost.state.az.us/


P.S. people here get short sometimes due to the repetitive nature of many of these questions, but they are all good people, and they mean well. So best of luck to you.

[zebra305]

The military may, or may not take you. But, I will tell you this, just about EVERYthing is waiverable these days. However, I will also tell you to stay away from the Army if at all possible; they generally treat their people like crap. Go Marines, or Air Force. If you've got a clean record otherwise, the Marines will probably take a good look at you; not sure on the AF, but both have really good MP outfits, as well as other things. I'm biased, since I am a former Marine, so naturally I'm going to point you in that direction, but if you can make it in the Corps, you'll stand a far better chance of getting out and getting onto a PD someplace even with the conviction.

Best of luck.

[mdcop4life]

I am a criminal justice student, about to finish my associates degree. I have always wanted to be an officer, ever since I was a little kid. My dream job today would be to be a homicide detective. I do, however, have a large hurdle in my way. I was conviced of a class 4 felony in Arizona at the age of 17. I was convicted of Attempted Agg. Assault and successfully completed a probation program. It was the only time I have ever been convicted of a crime. I was just wondering, if another state would not have charged me as an adult for the crime, do I have a leg to stand on when it comes to applying for a job as a police officer. Are there any departments that would except a felony conviction? I know the outlook is bleak, but I have absolutley no doubt that I could pass, with flying colors, any other facet of testing. My final question is, what other jobs are out there that would allow me to operate in an investigative capacity, if I cannot get over the felony hurdle with a police department. I do plan on earning at least a masters degree, perhaps even a juris doctorate one day, so I am also interested in jobs within the criminal justice system that would take full advantage of my education.

Thanks much for taking the time to read my questions

Dave

In addition to all the great advice everyone has given, I think a lot of us have missed the key sentence in this whole introduction: "It was the only time I have ever been convicted of a crime." If you have more things on your record, but have just been convicted of one thing.....odds are more against you (whether the charges were dropped, nolle'd or papered...whatever term everyone uses) chances are it will still reflect in your record. Good Luck

[Max Fischer]

MDCop, and the other responses were very good.

I would like to also reccomend you meet with an academic advisor to learn more about other opportunities for you. You might want to study Justice Theories, social change, etc. It could be that LE is not for you, but you could still contribute in other ways.

Best of luck.

[phxheat]

"In AZ, juvenile convictions, charges, etc. are NOT automatically dropped when you turn 18, as opposed to other states. There is a process that must be conducted to even try and drop the record. I know it is tough to do with a misdemeanor case, let alone a felony, but you should at least try."

This is very true. I had a minor posession of alcohol charge on my record (misdemeanor) from when I was 14 here in AZ. It was absolutely still on my record (I am now 25) when my BI checked, but of course I had disclosed this right away.
As for whether the incident happened when you were a juvenile or not, whether it was a felony or not, or even if it was expunged, it still won't do you much good as you MUST disclose all arrests, and most agencies require you to disclose ALL contact with the police (Questionings, Traffic Citations, even traffic warnings, etc) I certainly don't always agree with Irish, but people that pursue that degree before obtaining a LE job should definitely have a plan B. Besides, even if it was expunged and you didn't disclose it, I would hate to be in you shaking shoes come poly time!

[SGTGILL]

After 7 + years I think you may be able to hire an attorney and get they fonviction exspounged off your record. Barring that you can let the background investigator know and see if they include minor records. Most likely you are screwed. Sorry. :eek:

[Navy Guy]

Try actually talking to the recruiter at your local police department.

Also study anything but Criminal Justice. It is easy and fun but of little practical value and you will be better served with a business or science degree.

[wayno1806]

Better call 1800 debbie dootson truck driving school. Sorry buddy, you shot yourself in the foot when you committed the felonious crime against some one else. Now, you have to pay for it, by choosing another career. No dept. will touch you with an aggravated felony conviction. Think about it, why would they, when they can choose from hundreds of other applicants who are more qualified than you are, and without the conviction.

Sorry for being harsh. But it's reality.

Author of "How to become a peace officer," www.*****************************