Drawing the line at criminal record?

[Anonymous]

I am in my mid forties and have never EVER been in handcuffs and arrested by a peace officer, not even a citizen's arrest.

It isn't that hard folks.

I don't think I am better than anyone else, but people who have been arrested usually do so as a last resort. They have had multiple chances to change their behavior and they choose to be defiant or violent, thus the need for handcuffs and later on a lawyer.

So parents, no matter what the REASON is, little or small, if any type of arrest shows on a background check, then that should be a huge red flag.

Unfortunately, where I reside, only convictions for felonies show up on fingerprint checks, etc.

I wish I could enact legislation to allow arrest records to show up.

[Anonymous]

Most of you on this thread are not very smart.

Just getting arrested doesn't show up on most background checks. You have to be convicted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of you on this thread are not very smart.

Just getting arrested doesn't show up on most background checks. You have to be convicted.

Livescan picked up our ex-nanny's arrest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid forties and have never EVER been in handcuffs and arrested by a peace officer, not even a citizen's arrest.

It isn't that hard folks.

I don't think I am better than anyone else, but people who have been arrested usually do so as a last resort. They have had multiple chances to change their behavior and they choose to be defiant or violent, thus the need for handcuffs and later on a lawyer.

So parents, no matter what the REASON is, little or small, if any type of arrest shows on a background check, then that should be a huge red flag.

Unfortunately, where I reside, only convictions for felonies show up on fingerprint checks, etc.

I wish I could enact legislation to allow arrest records to show up.

+1

Maybe I was just raised in a "good" family, I don't know, but I don't understand anyone who would commit crimes. Same thing with the PP who said she once got into domestic violence with her significant other - I could never even imagine putting my hands on someone else in anger. People who would do anything like that really are a different kind of person, and I do not get it. So, no matter how far back in your record, if there is a criminal history - there is no way I'd feel comfortable hiring you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid forties and have never EVER been in handcuffs and arrested by a peace officer, not even a citizen's arrest.

It isn't that hard folks.

I don't think I am better than anyone else, but people who have been arrested usually do so as a last resort. They have had multiple chances to change their behavior and they choose to be defiant or violent, thus the need for handcuffs and later on a lawyer.

So parents, no matter what the REASON is, little or small, if any type of arrest shows on a background check, then that should be a huge red flag.

Unfortunately, where I reside, only convictions for felonies show up on fingerprint checks, etc.

I wish I could enact legislation to allow arrest records to show up.

+1

Maybe I was just raised in a "good" family, I don't know, but I don't understand anyone who would commit crimes. Same thing with the PP who said she once got into domestic violence with her significant other - I could never even imagine putting my hands on someone else in anger. People who would do anything like that really are a different kind of person, and I do not get it. So, no matter how far back in your record, if there is a criminal history - there is no way I'd feel comfortable hiring you.

I agree.

It's not that tough to exist in society without getting arrested. I guess with the celebrity world, getting arrested doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore. I mean, shoot...If Justin Bieber gets arrested and thrown in jail and Martha Stewart serves time in a Federal Prison for five months....Who would have guessed??

Most people wouldn't think someone like Martha Stewart would end up a convicted felon, but she sure is. I wouldn't let her near my precious innocent children. She actually has two young grandchildren now and I shudder to think how she is allowed to care for them now that she is a CONVICTED FELON FOR LIFE.

Parents: Always run a background check on your nannies. If a person has any convictions, do not hire. Fire.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this, but I really am frustrated that so many of you seem to think that only people who committed crimes have been arrested (or convicted). When I was 18, I was nannying full time and attending college part time. I had a boyfriend; we'd been dating nearly a year at that point. He did not have a car. He had a friend, Mike, who I had met, and he seemed very nice.

Well, one day, my BF and I were together, and he got a call from Mike. Mike's car was in the shop, and he needed someone to drive him to the store. I agreed to help. Well, as soon as we arrived at the store, a swat team surrounded my car. Apparently Mike had been going to the store to meet up for a drug deal (he was intending to sell pot), but he had been set up. I had no idea Mike did drugs at all! Mike was in the back seat, and when he saw the police he put his drugs in the side pocket of the back door of my car. The police searched all of us, and my car. Mike insisted the drugs in my car were not his. Of course I told the police that I had no idea about any of this, but they found the drugs in my car, so I was held responsible. I was arrested for both the possession of marijuana and being "an accessory to drug distribution."

Mike ended up getting out of his charges by giving the police information about his sources. I hired an expensive lawyer. He told me the best he could do was get them to drop the accessory charge and "reduce the possession charge from 'marijuana' to 'paraphernalia.'"

So, I've had that possession of paraphernalia on my record for years (in hindsight, now that marijuana is legal in many places, I almost wish it hadn't been changed to paraphernalia, which is obviously more ambiguous). I attempted to get it expunged but was told that that was not possible. This all happened over twelve years ago. I have never done drugs. I have since completed my ECE degree, and have never found myself at a loss for a good nanny position. Thankfully I have impeccable references and am great at what I do, despite making an honest mistake when I was still a teenager. Most families I have worked with have either found me on care.com (where I have a ton of awesome reviews) or have been friends with my previous clients. Very few have asked for a background check, and I have been honest with those that did, and they've all still offered me the job, every time.

It makes me sad that so many of you are so closed minded. I understand being careful about who you hire to care for your children, but to say that any blemish on your record, no matter what it was for, or how long ago, trumps any amount of experience, education, or references, well, I just don't understand that. People can get arrested and even convicted without actually committing a crime. The law enforcement and judicial systems in our country is far from perfect.

[Anonymous]

It's about your competition. There are great nannies out there without any arrests/convictions. We're talking about letting someone care unsupervised your defenseless, sometimes nonverbal child.

[Anonymous]

Your bf of nearly a year knew darn well that his friend "Mike" was dealing drugs and yet he still hung around him. He also let you drive this scumbag to his next drug deal. You were lucky to get off with the charge you did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of you on this thread are not very smart.

Just getting arrested doesn't show up on most background checks. You have to be convicted.

Livescan picked up our ex-nanny's arrest.

That's why I stated most not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid forties and have never EVER been in handcuffs and arrested by a peace officer, not even a citizen's arrest.

It isn't that hard folks.

I don't think I am better than anyone else, but people who have been arrested usually do so as a last resort. They have had multiple chances to change their behavior and they choose to be defiant or violent, thus the need for handcuffs and later on a lawyer.

So parents, no matter what the REASON is, little or small, if any type of arrest shows on a background check, then that should be a huge red flag.

Unfortunately, where I reside, only convictions for felonies show up on fingerprint checks, etc.

I wish I could enact legislation to allow arrest records to show up.

+1

Maybe I was just raised in a "good" family, I don't know, but I don't understand anyone who would commit crimes. Same thing with the PP who said she once got into domestic violence with her significant other - I could never even imagine putting my hands on someone else in anger. People who would do anything like that really are a different kind of person, and I do not get it. So, no matter how far back in your record, if there is a criminal history - there is no way I'd feel comfortable hiring you.

Years ago in DC, an infant was kidnapped from a hospital. The infant was white, and the kidnapper was an African American lady. She suffered from mental illness. There were pictures posted on the news of this infant with a reward for any information. A nanny was walking an infant near the downtown DC area, and some pedestrians called the cops on her. The nanny was black, the infant white. She refused to allow the baby to be taken from her or photographed. There was a police standoff, and they threatened to arrest her. The news cameras showed the MB showing up to get her child, and the angry nanny. To all the parents making broad judgments, you need to widen your scope a bit. I've worked for families that were activists. Members of Greenpeace and the WWF... should I have panicked about working for them?... seriously. I have no problem with a criminal background check, I've never been arrested and have nothing to hide, but sometimes things aren't as they seem.

[Anonymous]

WWF as in World Wildlife Foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure I'll be flamed for this, but I really am frustrated that so many of you seem to think that only people who committed crimes have been arrested (or convicted). When I was 18, I was nannying full time and attending college part time. I had a boyfriend; we'd been dating nearly a year at that point. He did not have a car. He had a friend, Mike, who I had met, and he seemed very nice.

Well, one day, my BF and I were together, and he got a call from Mike. Mike's car was in the shop, and he needed someone to drive him to the store. I agreed to help. Well, as soon as we arrived at the store, a swat team surrounded my car. Apparently Mike had been going to the store to meet up for a drug deal (he was intending to sell pot), but he had been set up. I had no idea Mike did drugs at all! Mike was in the back seat, and when he saw the police he put his drugs in the side pocket of the back door of my car. The police searched all of us, and my car. Mike insisted the drugs in my car were not his. Of course I told the police that I had no idea about any of this, but they found the drugs in my car, so I was held responsible. I was arrested for both the possession of marijuana and being "an accessory to drug distribution."

Mike ended up getting out of his charges by giving the police information about his sources. I hired an expensive lawyer. He told me the best he could do was get them to drop the accessory charge and "reduce the possession charge from 'marijuana' to 'paraphernalia.'"

So, I've had that possession of paraphernalia on my record for years (in hindsight, now that marijuana is legal in many places, I almost wish it hadn't been changed to paraphernalia, which is obviously more ambiguous). I attempted to get it expunged but was told that that was not possible. This all happened over twelve years ago. I have never done drugs. I have since completed my ECE degree, and have never found myself at a loss for a good nanny position. Thankfully I have impeccable references and am great at what I do, despite making an honest mistake when I was still a teenager. Most families I have worked with have either found me on care.com (where I have a ton of awesome reviews) or have been friends with my previous clients. Very few have asked for a background check, and I have been honest with those that did, and they've all still offered me the job, every time.

It makes me sad that so many of you are so closed minded. I understand being careful about who you hire to care for your children, but to say that any blemish on your record, no matter what it was for, or how long ago, trumps any amount of experience, education, or references, well, I just don't understand that. People can get arrested and even convicted without actually committing a crime. The law enforcement and judicial systems in our country is far from perfect.

Kudos to you for getting your ECE degree. Also, thanks for posting a real-life scenario.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid forties and have never EVER been in handcuffs and arrested by a peace officer, not even a citizen's arrest.

It isn't that hard folks.

I don't think I am better than anyone else, but people who have been arrested usually do so as a last resort. They have had multiple chances to change their behavior and they choose to be defiant or violent, thus the need for handcuffs and later on a lawyer.

So parents, no matter what the REASON is, little or small, if any type of arrest shows on a background check, then that should be a huge red flag.

Unfortunately, where I reside, only convictions for felonies show up on fingerprint checks, etc.

I wish I could enact legislation to allow arrest records to show up.

I'm a nanny and I was charged with domestic violence. My now ex husband and I were going through a nasty divorce he hit me and was arrested. He was not to come on the property for 72 hours. Well he came over the next day, I was instructed by my lawyer and the police not to allow him in the house. While on the phone with 911 they told me to to the best I could to keep him from entering. he was trying to get in and pushing the door. I got charged because I hit him with the door, closed the door on his foot. I ended up being arrested along with him. He got multiple charges another domestic abuse charge for hitting me with the door, violating the no contact order, and disorderly conduct. Even though I was only trying to keep him out wasn't enough reason and I have it on my record now. I've worked a lot of jobs since them all were 2-3 years long some longer I'm upfront about the charge even before setting up an interview and 90% of the time no employer had an issue with it.

I've never been in any trouble besides speeding tickets when I was a teen to earky 20's. I'm a law abiding citizen and was in fear of my life.

Pp's that said it doesn't matter the reason I'm glad I never met you and if you would hold that against me then we wouldn't be a good fit. I hope you're never in that situation or get some type of charge that could ruin your career because you were protecting yourself

[Anonymous]

I also was arrested for a domestic violence incident and am sickened by the responses by families saying that they would never let their children be in my care....Even if the arrest happened over a decade ago.

How truly ignorant and judgmental some of you can be. Thankfully I do not have to work for families like you or I would find another profession.

When a couple gets into an argument and one party calls the police for a domestic dispute, in the majority of cases, the police usually take in one party or the other. So basically just by making a call to law enforcement, you've set yourself up for a fifty/fifty chance that you are going to be the one handcuffed and read your rights. Most calls that cops get are domestic violence believe it or not.

The people who are stating that they never have broken the law and all of that...Just wait...It could happen to ANYONE. An arrest is simply that. It is an officer's personal OPINION that you did something wrong. And it varies from officer to officer. What makes one officer arrest one person may not make another arrest another person. It's all relative.

So honestly, those who are passing judgement on here need to get educated instead of simply throwing ignorant comments. Cheap shots should be replaced with knowledge.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this, but I really am frustrated that so many of you seem to think that only people who committed crimes have been arrested (or convicted). When I was 18, I was nannying full time and attending college part time. I had a boyfriend; we'd been dating nearly a year at that point. He did not have a car. He had a friend, Mike, who I had met, and he seemed very nice.

Well, one day, my BF and I were together, and he got a call from Mike. Mike's car was in the shop, and he needed someone to drive him to the store. I agreed to help. Well, as soon as we arrived at the store, a swat team surrounded my car. Apparently Mike had been going to the store to meet up for a drug deal (he was intending to sell pot), but he had been set up. I had no idea Mike did drugs at all! Mike was in the back seat, and when he saw the police he put his drugs in the side pocket of the back door of my car. The police searched all of us, and my car. Mike insisted the drugs in my car were not his. Of course I told the police that I had no idea about any of this, but they found the drugs in my car, so I was held responsible. I was arrested for both the possession of marijuana and being "an accessory to drug distribution."

Mike ended up getting out of his charges by giving the police information about his sources. I hired an expensive lawyer. He told me the best he could do was get them to drop the accessory charge and "reduce the possession charge from 'marijuana' to 'paraphernalia.'"

So, I've had that possession of paraphernalia on my record for years (in hindsight, now that marijuana is legal in many places, I almost wish it hadn't been changed to paraphernalia, which is obviously more ambiguous). I attempted to get it expunged but was told that that was not possible. This all happened over twelve years ago. I have never done drugs. I have since completed my ECE degree, and have never found myself at a loss for a good nanny position. Thankfully I have impeccable references and am great at what I do, despite making an honest mistake when I was still a teenager. Most families I have worked with have either found me on care.com (where I have a ton of awesome reviews) or have been friends with my previous clients. Very few have asked for a background check, and I have been honest with those that did, and they've all still offered me the job, every time.

It makes me sad that so many of you are so closed minded. I understand being careful about who you hire to care for your children, but to say that any blemish on your record, no matter what it was for, or how long ago, trumps any amount of experience, education, or references, well, I just don't understand that. People can get arrested and even convicted without actually committing a crime. The law enforcement and judicial systems in our country is far from perfect.

MB here. I'm not going to flame you. I'm going to thank you for posting.

To be truthful, I'm not *likely* to automatically hire someone with a conviction, but I would give the potential nanny to explain the conditions of her arrest and when it occurred and if I thought she was a stellar candidate in every other way, I would hire her. Circumstances matter and no one should be automatically denied a chance to clean up their life and find a good job.

One of the best people I know works with young people. He has a long ago DUI on his record and was incredibly worried he would not be hired in a new job. This man is one of the most talented and patient teachers and his students are so lucky to know him. He dealt with his DUI years ago, no longer drinks, and did everything possible to show his worth in every job. He got the job. I'm glad there are such things as second chances.