If you are wondering how to get a job with a misdemeanor, this post is for you. A petty theft misdemeanor can be any crime that involves taking something of value up to $500. It can also include shoplifting and other crimes involving stolen goods of small value. Petty theft misdemeanors are considered minor crimes in the state of California, but a petty theft conviction will still remain on your criminal record. If your question is “can I get a job with a misdemeanor?” then the answer is yes you can get a job with a petty theft misdemeanor. Read more below to understand what jobs you can get with a misdemeanor on your record like having multiple convictions, jobs you cant get with a criminal record & will petty theft ruin my life.
A misdemeanor can be a barrier to employment, especially if it involves theft or violence. But there are still many jobs that you can get with a petty theft misdemeanor conviction.
First of all, some jobs will not require you to disclose any criminal record at all. These include:
-unarmed security guard
-cashier (unless you have access to money)
-telephone operator (unless you have access to a bank account)
-janitorial worker (unless you have access to property)
-messenger (if the company does not require that you carry cash)
If your misdemeanor involves theft or violence, but not drugs, sex crimes, or domestic violence, there are also many jobs available for people with this type of conviction on their record. They include:
-unarmed security guard (if the company does not require that you carry cash)
-telephone operator (if the company does not require that you carry cash)
-cashier (if the company does not require that you carry cash)
What jobs can i get with a petty theft misdemeanor
Introduction
The crime of theft in California is prosecuted under a few different Penal Code sections, depending on the value of the property taken. Misdemeanor theft charges for stealing less than $950 worth of goods is called petty theft in California. If you are convicted, it could have serious consequences for your future career and reputation. But before you go into panic mode, here’s what you need to know about getting a job after a petty theft conviction:
Anyone can commit petty theft, but many people are caught doing so.
Anyone can commit petty theft, but many people are caught doing so. The number of petty theft cases reported to law enforcement is up 38% over the past decade. In 2017 alone, there were nearly 4 million such incidents in the United States—that’s about 10% of all property crimes reported during that time period.
Your chance of being arrested for this crime depends on where you live and what kind of property was stolen:
A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction.
A misdemeanor is a crime that can be punished by up to one year in jail. A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction, which is a minor offense punishable by a fine. Misdemeanors include petty theft, shoplifting, and simple assault. Infractions are violations such as speeding tickets or littering. Infractions are not as serious as misdemeanors because they do not carry jail time and the maximum penalty is usually only fines or community service hours instead of prison time.
Misdemeanor theft charges for stealing less than $950 worth of goods is called petty theft in California.
Misdemeanor theft charges for stealing less than $950 worth of goods is called petty theft in California. If you’re convicted or plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge, you could face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
You may also be required to pay restitution to the victim if your case requires it. In addition, since this type of conviction will be on your record for life (just like any other kind of felony), it’ll make getting jobs even more difficult than they otherwise would be because employers can’t help but see it when they look at your background check report or Google search results: anyone who searches him will see this old story about him stealing something from Best Buy that doesn’t add up financially.
Penalties for a misdemeanor conviction vary from county to county, but most involve some combination of fines, probation, community service and/or a short jail sentence.
The penalty for a misdemeanor conviction can vary widely by county. In general, misdemeanors are punished with fines, probation, community service and/or short jail time. Repeat offenders or people convicted of violent crimes may face harsher penalties.
Yes. Petty theft is a crime of moral turpitude, which means it can be used against you in employment, housing and future court proceedings.
Yes. Petty theft is a crime of moral turpitude, which means it can be used against you in employment, housing and future court proceedings. The fact that the crime is related to your work is not a mitigating factor. If you are found guilty of this charge, it will remain on your record for life.
It depends on the job. If you are applying for a job that requires fingerprinting or background checks, then you will have to tell them about your petty theft charge or they will find out anyway.
It depends on the job. If you are applying for a job that requires fingerprinting or background checks, then you will have to tell them about your petty theft charge or they will find out anyway.
If you are applying for a job that does not require fingerprinting or background checks, then you can omit your conviction from your application.
If you’re asked about your criminal history, be honest and make sure to highlight the good things you’ve done since your conviction.
If you’re asked about your criminal history, be honest and make sure to highlight the good things you’ve done since your conviction. Don’t lie and say that you’re a perfect person—you may have made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean that everything in your life is bad. It can be helpful to provide an explanation for why you committed the crime in question, as well as what’s changed since then (e.g., “I was young and stupid when I stole those items; now I’m older and more mature, so I’m better at handling my anger issues”).
Getting a job after a petty theft conviction is not easy, but it is possible to have success. You may need to be upfront with potential employers about your conviction so they don’t find out another way.
jobs you cant get with a criminal record
Before you job search, know which work restrictions and regulations can keep a person with a conviction from working in certain jobs.
Before you make a career plan or start to job search, you need to know if you are restricted from working in certain types of occupations. This is a small list of jobs compared to the many types of careers available to you.
There are some jobs not open to someone with a criminal conviction. The exact occupations and the type of restrictions depend on your offense and various state and federal regulations.
Before you start training or look for a job, find out what, if any, restrictions you might have for work.
Barred Occupations
Some occupations are off limits to people with felony convictions. Help make your job search smoother by knowing your options.
It is illegal for employers to refuse to hire you just because you have a criminal conviction. A Minnesota law called the Criminal Offenders Rehabilitation Act says that employers have to consider you as an individual.
However, you can be barred from working in a job that is related to your conviction. Understand which jobs you cannot be hired for before you make a career plan, start training, or search for a job.
A few examples:
- If your offense was related to alcohol, it is legal for an employer to stop you from working in a liquor store, or as a server in a restaurant that sells alcohol.
- If your offense was related to firearms, you can be barred from working in places that sell guns. You also can’t work in security and law enforcement occupations that require you to be near weapons.
- If your offense was related to money, you can be barred from working in a bank or other financial institutions.
Licensure
Some occupations that require a license — either for the employee or for the business — can be hard for people with a felony. Examples are:
- Health care occupations, such as dental assistants
- Businesses that help children, such as child care centers and schools
- Occupations that serve the elderly or adults with special needs, such as those in nursing homes or home health care
Some organizations, like nursing homes, will help you to obtain a license so you can work there. This is why it is a good idea to make connections with employers. You want to be considered based on your skills and personality, not your criminal record.
will petty theft ruin my life
We are human with human frailties who are never free from temptation or mistake, but you do not have to let a theft charge ruin your life. With experienced representation, you may often be able to avoid a conviction for theft even where defense do not appear strong.
1. Non-Criminal Impacts of Theft
A conviction for theft can have significant and long lasting consequences beyond even jail time and fines. With a theft on your record, you may find it difficult to find employment or to accept positions. This is particularly in a position where you must handle more or act in a fiduciary capacity. It can impact admissions to institutions of higher learning, employment promotions, or appointments for positions on a board of directors.
2. Criminal Penalties for Theft
Under Minnesota statutes 609.52, for any theft with a value below $500, a person can be charged with a misdemeanor offense which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine.
If the value is between $500 and $1,000 the charge for theft is a gross misdemeanor and with potential sentences of up to one year in jail and $3,000 in fines.
If the value is greater than $1000 , the charge of theft is a felony and carries with it penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine,
If the value is greater than $5,000 but less than $35,000 or the property is a trade secret or explosive, it is a felony with penalties of up to 10 years in prison with fines reaching $20,000.
If the value of the property or services is more than $35,000 or the property is a firearm, it is a felony offense with potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.
3. Enhancement of Theft Charges
Penalties and charges may increase if: (1) the person has been convicted of a prior theft offense within the past five years; (2) the offense includes a reasonably foreseeable risk of bodily harm.
4. Civil Penalties for Theft
Besides the criminal penalties detailed above, a person who commits theft in Minnesota will be civilly liable to the owner of the property for an amount equal to the dollar value of the property at the time it was stolen (i.e. for a shoplifting offense, the retail value of the item in the store). The person is also civilly liable to the owner of the property for punitive damages in the amount of either $50, or no more than 100% of the property’s value, whichever is greater. (Minn. Stat. Ann. § 604.14.)
5. Conclusion
A theft offense does not have to ruin your life or damage your future. Often with skilled representation you may be able to avoid the impacts of a conviction even where the defenses are weak through diversion programs or other mitigating factors. You should always retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer .
