Hello everyone,
New guy here and I'm sorry if this sounds redundent and I have checked through the threads to see if anyone else is in my shoes. Here goes, I just retired out of the carpenters union here in Las Vegas and am just getting ready to turn 50. I am looking for a new career and have wanted to drive big trucks for years now but had to get my credits in with the union to retire. Here's the problem, my only problem with the law was a DUI back in 1988 that was until 2 yrs ago when I got into fistfight with guy. In the process of fighting him and throwing a punch I hit a another guy in the eye who was trying to break it up. Well, needless to say I was arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault (misdemeanor). I pled guilty to get out of jail (7 days) and save the job I was working (mistake because the guys I fought with said they wouldn't have even showed up for the trial). All this happened in 2006, I got a $2000 fine and 2 yrs probation. The fine was paid off early and I just got off probation at the end of Sept '08. I applied to Stevens and they said they were going to go with other candidates. I applied with Central Refrigeration and the recruiter said I had to wait 5 yrs, I reminded them that this was "misdemeanor" not a "felony" and their own qualifications (according to their website) for new non-CDL drivers says nothing about being convicted of a misdemeanor only felonies. He just told they were going to change their website...lol. Well, I put in an application with CR England in Aug and forgot all about and then just remembered it and called them. The recruiter said everything looked good and asked me if I was ready to go to the school. I asked her, "so everything checked out and I am good to go"? She said, "I am running everything now and everything looks good". The thing is I can't remember if I mentioned all this on my application, I may have gotten frustrated and said the "hell with it" and just didn't say anything. To be honest I just can't remember. Is this recruiter blowing smoke because now that I have found this site and read some of the horror stories I don't know what to think or do. I don't want to go all the way to Utah only to have them say "go home". Sorry this was long, but any thoughts and advice would be appreciated, thanks

Well the fight should not really be a big deal... Although the way the economy is they have plenty of people to choose from.... They will find it if you did not tel them so you need to tell them... You also should look into having the charges expunged (removed from your recored).. since your really not a serious criminal and have not been in and out of jail all your life you should check into this.. A few hundred and you may be able to get it removed..

You should be okay.. again they have plenty of people to choose from right now so don't be surprised if you get sent home.. Just take extra cash with you to be able to make the trip home..

you shouldnt have a problem. how is your MVR? USA truck should hire you. and i reccomend them personally to "get your feet wet. i did my 1st 18 mo. big truckin with them and enjoyed it for the most part
oops, living in vegas (out west) may present a problem.

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"i've been working all week, and i'm tired and i dont wanna sleep and i wanna have fun... it's time for a good time!!!!" alan jackson

keep in mind that any omittance of info. is paramount to lying. i.e. treated the same way. your app. is considered a document and by law or other, if background does not check out w/ app. , it's cya time

Well the fight should not really be a big deal... Although the way the economy is they have plenty of people to choose from.... They will find it if you did not tel them so you need to tell them... You also should look into having the charges expunged (removed from your recored).. since your really not a serious criminal and have not been in and out of jail all your life you should check into this.. A few hundred and you may be able to get it removed..
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Thanks for the response, yeah that's what I thought that because of the economy they can be a little more picky. It just kind of irritates that these companies ask you have been convicted of a "felony" and when you're honest and say "no, but I do have a misdemeanor" they're holding that against you, but since it did involve "violence" and I can see their point. I have thought about getting a lawyer and trying to get this thing sealed up though. Thanks again for your time.

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Outside of the DUI that I got in '88, that I mentioned in the original post, my mvr should be good. Haven't had a ticket since around 95 or 96

If you forgot to list something that deals with your record on the job application that could be a problem if they find it. In fact it will end your career. You've lived long enough in Las Vegas to see the dirt haulers and the ones pulling 2 40' trailers make pretty good money. You also know that contruction is still strong and wont be slowing for along time. I moved there in 1990 and in the sunday paper there were 130 new housing developments and I'm sure there's the same today. I left some time ago and was glad for it but there are local jobs there that do pay fairly good. Just a thought if you have a hard time with the bottom feeders otr.

One DUI that far back should not be a big problem. That's 20 years - just be sure that you mention it.

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Thanks, like I posted earlier, I put it down on a couple of apps (Central, Werner or Swift can't remember now, Stevens turned me down) and they told me I had to wait 5 yrs. I just can't remember if I put it down on the CR England one out of frustration. But, I have decided I am just going to call them and get it straightened out and let the chips fall where they may. I don't want to get into this business worrying about if I am ever going to get caught not giving the full story. Sounds like they're pretty thorough with the background, plus it gives me time to check with a lawyer about getting this off my record. Construction is slowing somewhat in LV, but I just hooked up with with a company until I can get all this straightened out, thanks again for your time and input. Good luck to you.

While I am talking to a lawyer about my other issue I'm going to see if he can do something for me here too. Kind of kill two birds with one stone...lol. But, if not, I will be sure to mention it and hope they cut me some slack on something that happened quite some time ago, thanks.