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knmarsh · 10-06-2009, 03:47 PM

I currently just started a job at the Forest Service. It is a government position. A month after my starting the job I got charged with a petty offense for theft. I dont plan on ever doing it again but am pretty concerned that this could affect my job. At the same time this is smaller than even a misdemeanor. I do have a govermentwide purchasing card but my position is considered to be non-sensitive.
What are my chances of getting fired? and also, if I don't get fired what are the chances that my direct supervisor will find out?
Thanks

NJDevil · 10-07-2009, 04:31 AM

They already did your background check, right? And you did not steal from your job right? I am not sure how they would find out. Check to see if the information can be found online.

I asked my husband about it and he says they would not fire you, but perhaps keep a closer eye on you. Main thing - don't mention this to any coworker or anyone outside of work who could possibly tell a coworker.

dramamama6685 · 10-07-2009, 04:39 AM

If someone see it in the paper and tells your hr person.. they may re-run your check. Good luck.

bande1102 · 10-07-2009, 07:02 AM

You stole a month AFTER you got your job?

When I worked for local gov, they did random background checks on us.

Arrests are public records and my local paper runs them (print and online) every day. Also, several states now have court cases online. In my state, I can easily search court cases (both criminal and civil). I'd say the odds of them finding out are pretty good.

knmarsh · 10-07-2009, 11:24 AM

No i have not already had a background check done. I was not arrested on the scene and the cop said we were only getting a ticket. I have a really clean record, im in school, have a good job and have alreaedy paid the store back. If i am able to get it exponged it will take time longer than i have to send in my back ground check. Would it help me if i were to write yes i have a current charge against me butr i am working to get it exponged at this time. Would that help me not get fired

PeachyMJ · 10-07-2009, 12:20 PM

If/when you are interviewed, please be honest and upfront with them. The people conducting your security clearance will send a report back to your agency and then your agency will determine whether you are to be kept on or let go. You are considered conditional career for a period of 3 years (or it used to be) and you can be terminated for any reason within this time frame.

bande1102 · 10-07-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knmarsh

No i have not already had a background check done. I was not arrested on the scene and the cop said we were only getting a ticket. I have a really clean record, im in school, have a good job and have alreaedy paid the store back. If i am able to get it exponged it will take time longer than i have to send in my back ground check. Would it help me if i were to write yes i have a current charge against me butr i am working to get it exponged at this time. Would that help me not get fired

Hmmmm. This is a tough one. Exactly what is the status of this situation? Are you waiting for a court date? Is there a chance it could be dismissed? If everything is up in the air, I'd probably not say/do anything until the court settled it.

aphorista · 10-07-2009, 03:56 PM

My agency can take almost a year after you were hired to complete a background check. I would try to find out if it has already been done. If not, I would let them know what might come up on it. As a career-conditional employee, you may be out of luck.

knmarsh · 10-07-2009, 08:59 PM

Here's an update. I hired an attorney. He works closely with the municipal court that i will be dealing with. He think i will be able to get the case dismissed or more likely deferred. If it gets deferred it may even be able to be something less than theft like litering or loitering. The concern i have is on the background check it asks if you have been on probation? Will a deferred sentence qualify as that? and if so how much better, if better at all will that be as apposed to a conviction?

NJDevil · 10-08-2009, 11:14 AM

I never heard of a background check that you complete yourself, that is confusing me. I thought companies get it from someplace else, and do it BEFORE they hire you.
If you have never been on probation, say no, don't worry about what may/may not happen in the future. A lesser sentence (you said less than a misdemeanor) will always be better than a conviction. But you should definitely mention it somehow on that form.