criminal record

I hear ya, I'd work on getting the conviction expunged from your record and move on with your driving career.

 

I agree with Mike_NC. Go see a lawyer about it, and find out what you can do before your DOS. I don't know... you might start at the base legal office. I recall that when I was in, you could get some very limited help from them... they might be able to point you in the right direction.

Oh, and as far as the comments... grow a thick skin if you're serious about this business... there are a ton of jerks driving trucks.

 

One problem with getting it expunged. Fed law requires you to report ALL felonies regardless. It will still be on your record. Once there it's there for life. You just have to have the right clearance to see it.

 

Wow, I sure am glad the truckstop lawyers have all chimed in. As I stated before, in '91 I was convicted of a Class 5 Federal Felony Bank Larceny/Embezzlement/Assualt on a Federal Officer (threw a US Marshall through a window). I did 1 mo. in Federal Minimum facility, 5 mos. House Arrest (24 hr. ankle bracelet) and 4.5 yrs supervised release., truth be told I would have rather done the full 6 mos. in minimum security than the 1/5/5 that I did.

When I first looked into trying to get into trucking, the first school I talked to, USTDS, told me to get a shovel because no one would touch me with my record because I couldn't go to Canada. The 2nd school I talked to, MTA, the recruiter told me to call him the next day (I met both recruiters at a jobs expo.), I called him at 9am and met with him at 3pm. As he told me, be as honest as you feel the need to be. Two weeks later I started school.

I graduated from MTA on Mar. 17, '97, it took me about 3 weeks to get a job, slightly longer than MTA told me it would take even with there help. I used their help in finding a job.

I first went to work for a beverage distributor, I reported the felony because they asked for convictions within the previous 7 yrs. I quit/fired after 3 mos. when the company toldme to violate workers comp. Dr's orders for a broken foot. I then went to work for a McD's distributor, told them about the conviction as well. The safety manager told me flat out, I don't give a #### what you did in the past, what I care about is what you do right now. Are you ready to get on with your life and make something of yourself? I worked there for 5 months until what I thought was a better oppurtunity came along. That better opp. was turned out to be BS situation that lasted 3 weeks and I never looked back, don't even bother to report it anymore. I then went to work for my current carrier. I've been here almost 12 yrs, hualing containers. They know about my past, in fact when I went to work for them, I was one of 3 drivers they had working for them with criminal backgrounds. Since we are a customs bonded carrier, I had to deal with that, but I regularly haul freight on and off Military bases (not ammo or explosives since we don't haul that) but general freight, foodstuffs, etc.. I've never had a problem.

Now, what I would suggest is this. If your offense is not a federal level crime, you may not need a Presidential pardon, and Dem. presidents are loath to issue them unless your a big donator.

Contact the US DOJ. Office of the Pardon Atty. www.usdoj.gov/pardon or since you are still on active, talk to the J.A.G. about it. If your offense was not at the federal level (and it's doubtful under the new rules it's been stepped up to federal) you can probably receive a pardon at the state level which clear your record. But even then, this will depend on your state. Not all Gov. will issue pardons, or if they do it a major process. Also, not all states recognize a Presidential Pardon. I live in Colorado, in the last 20 yrs, they have issued fewer than 10 pardons to living persons with felony convictions, and they do not recognize a presidential pardon, nor will they take an existing presidential pardon into consideration when a request for a state level pardon come in.

If you really want to get into trucking, look into a small local company in your area. Mom/Pop operations are generally going to be much more lenient on hiring you and giving you a chance. Even though you are military, look into one of the truck driving schools as well, this will be a better option. Unless your record is expunged, your screwed for going into Canada. Since your conviction is so old, when you fill out an app. if they ask if you have a felony conviction, technically you do not have to tell them, but what I was advised by my Probation officer to do is mark it yes, but you would prefer to explain it at an interview. This way you can tell them everything, and at least get your foot in the door.

 

OK the guy came here for help
Enough picking on him
If you cant help with productive answers please don't reply

 

amen to that

 

if i were u i would go back to the service or go drive a roll off trash truck. I have friends with records that have jobs doing that

 

So you want us to sugar coat the situation or give him out dated information like you have? I'm sorry but I've re-read all the postings here and I don't see anyone going off on the guy that much. And I do see some helpful information. I do apologize for the Presidential Pardor crack because it was meant as a joke.

If the job market stays the same he's going to find it very hard or extremely hard to find a driving job with that on his record. What happened to you is nothing to compare to what he did with the way everyone thinks after 9/11. I've done some of the hiring at my company and I can tell you that his application would go into the round file. Be real.

 

LOL@GasHauler! You called the guy a terrorist! That's a pretty strong statement to someone that has tried to turn his life around and has served his country for almost as long as you've sat behind a wheel.

I'm a vet and have met all kinds while in the military, people can changed their lives for the better. It's bad enough they have to live with what they've done never-mind having someone toss it back in their face as if nothing they've done counts and treat them as though they aren't redeemable.

I hope one day you're in the position you have to ask for forgiveness so that your heart can change.