Understanding Employment Opportunities with a Criminal Record
Let’s talk about employment opportunities when you have a criminal record. Hi, I’m Tulsa criminal defense lawyer Carl Birkhead. I’m an attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for over seven and a half years, and I want to help you make law easy by discussing how having a criminal record can affect your employability and what we can do to try to help with that.
Navigating Job Applications with a Criminal Record
Filling out a job application is never fun when you reach the section asking about misdemeanor or felony convictions. No one wants to check yes, but there’s hope. If you’re still in the middle of criminal proceedings—meaning charges have been filed but not resolved—you may have options. Negotiating a deferred sentence, for example, could keep a conviction off your record. While you’d still be on probation for a period, you wouldn’t be found guilty, meaning you could honestly state that you haven’t been convicted of a crime.
If you already have a conviction, there are still ways to move forward. The impact on your job prospects depends on the type of offense and the industry you’re applying to. For instance, if you’re looking to work at a bank, crimes like theft, fraud, or embezzlement could be major obstacles. But other offenses may not necessarily disqualify you, depending on the job.
Exploring Expungement Options
Expungement is another potential option. Under Section 18/19 expungement laws, certain convictions can be removed from your record after you’ve completed your sentence or probation. While violent crimes, sex offenses, and other serious charges typically aren’t eligible, many other offenses can be expunged after a waiting period. Unlike a deferred sentence expungement, which still leaves a record of the arrest and charge, a full expungement under Section 18/19 removes it entirely—even from OSBI background checks. This can be especially helpful for jobs requiring high-level security clearance.
If you’re unsure whether your record can be cleared or how your charges might affect your job search, I’d be happy to help. There may be more options available to you than you think.
Take the First Step: Schedule a Strategy Session
I’m Carl Birkhead. As a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office, I want to help you make law easy. If you’re facing challenges in your job search due to a criminal record, let’s discuss your options. Call me at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session. Together, we can explore the best steps forward for your situation.
