Job Discussion Forums

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

Let's say for the record that I was convicted of a misdemeanor in the early 90's. To be exact, I was convicted of underage drinking in the summer of 1991 and fined 103 dollars. A year later I was cited for driving on a suspended license (suspended due to not paying insurance). Obviously I have a criminal record. So would that disqualify me from working in some countries? At the time I just didn't want to bother with hiring a lawyer or trying to get the charges reduced, since I simply had to pay a fine. For the suspended license charge, I didn't even go to court. I just mailed in some money and a photocopy of my driver license (as proof that I had gotten a new one).

I didn't go to jail and obviously the charges weren't very serious but I still can't say that I don't have a criminal record.

throwdownyourcrutches · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

I hate to say it but you should lie and pretend that you do not have a criminal record. Those crimes are so minor and OLD that they have likely been purged and would not appear on any report. I once believed that "truth will set you free". For some foreign paperwork I thought I needed to include something similar to your issues, things that occurred way back in my youth. This was 15 years after the fact. I contacted the jursidictions involved because I needed specifics for my paperwork only to be told they purge their recods at 10 years. I have had numerous FBI background checks since and my youthful indiscretion has never appeared. Go forth and sin no more and keep your mouth shut about what happened in the ancient times. Good luck.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Some countries don't require a criminal background check anyways.

Madame J · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

Nobody I know who has taught abroad has been asked for a criminal background check.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

It's only some countries and jobs where you have to work with kids.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:31 am Post subject:

The Middle East tends to be big on criminal background checks.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It can also depend on what you're applying for. A one-year work visa usually has lower standards than something like long-term residency.

ozman2 · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Australia

In australia we have the rehabilitation of offenders act....if you were convicted of an offence but given less than 30 months in prison after ten years it does not show up for a criminal history check for overseas purposes, as long as you have not been convicted again within that ten year period, if you have then the clock starts again....you must have ten years clear of any convictions for the same affence as I understand it the UK has a similar system....have no idea about the US

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

Well I'm sure it's still on my record. Florida, as far as I'm able to tell, never deletes a criminal record. The state may lose the paperwork from the offense, but there is still a record of it at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. I know that I had to get my criminal record check done when I applied to the Florida Bar and the offense was on it then.

So it's certainly there. I guess the question is.... which countries care?

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I had to provide a clean criminal record to the Czech government.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

They check criminal records when getting teacher registration sorted out for the Hong Kong NET scheme. The British Council started checking more carefully last year in HK, with all staff having to fill out declaration forms, which were then checked in the UK. I suppose other BCs throughout the world are doing the same. But minor offences no problem. Won't stop you getting a job. Generally, most private schools don't care to check.

Dragonlady · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:12 am Post subject:

deleted

out of date

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

With the recent wave of peodophiles in some countries being found, more countries are cracking down and making criminal checks mandatory, not just for schools but for immigration and labour/work/education offices. Korea, Thailand, many ME countries are asking for them. They don't always ask but they can. Being in Thailand, I know that they dont really look at them anayways most of the time (in Thailand anyways). I would say that as long as there is noting serious on it, especially involving kids/sex/drugs you should be ok.