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dealing with a past felony
I'm a guy who has been programming C, C++/OOP and now PHP open source for about 20 years. I currently own my own business in a non-IT field, and its been doing pretty well for the last 3 years. I am currently looking at getting back into software development for the long-term good of my growing family.

I have a long resume of very good accomplishments (IBM Advanced Technologies, TransUnion, AT&T etc) in my field, and know C/C++ like the back of my hand (my recruiter told me I had one of the highest ProveIt.com scores he has seen). I sent off resumes last week and have several recruiters already sending Authorization to Represent contracts.

Here is the problem...back in the heyday of IT madness (around 1998 or so), I got caught with a drug-possession felony (it was NOT pot or cocaine, but MDMA). I was going through a divorce and got caught up with a reckless crowd of younger women, and ended up with this charge.

Now, I am wondering if this transgression will doom me forever in IT land. It's not something I want to lead an interview with, but at some point BG checks will be done and it's surely better if I mention it first to eliminate the "surprise!" factor.

So what say you...can an ex-"felon" get a job in IT today, with the right skill set?? Or am I wasting my time because HR is going to bounce me no matter what?
Posted: 08/08/2006 @ 11:08 AM (PDT)
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dealing with a past felonyfungusAmongus | 08/08/2006 @ 11:08 AM (PDT)
Omit from resume, but be honestDMambo | 08/08/2006 @ 11:46 AM (PDT)
Depends on where you're applying, as wellMaevinn | 08/08/2006 @ 11:55 AM (PDT)
Insurancejuasmith | 08/10/2006 @ 04:27 AM (PDT)
That seems argueable!jeroldo@... | 08/10/2006 @ 02:34 PM (PDT)
it might pose a problemBluron | 08/10/2006 @ 08:45 PM (PDT)
Insurance bondnormhaga@... | 08/11/2006 @ 10:02 AM (PDT)
Government Bond?Johnita | 08/11/2006 @ 04:31 PM (PDT)
not here in canadaBluron | 08/11/2006 @ 09:37 PM (PDT)
The Application FormToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:05 AM (PDT)
Have the same headacheRavmanic@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:20 AM (PDT)
It ridiculous to keep punishing for years.ikara.au@... | 09/20/2006 @ 10:48 PM (PDT)
Have a VERY old DUITiggerTwo | 08/08/2006 @ 11:58 AM (PDT)
Tig's new mantraDMambo | 08/08/2006 @ 12:06 PM (PDT)
I'll give it a try this afternoonTiggerTwo | 08/08/2006 @ 12:11 PM (PDT)
And I know where you can get onejdclyde | 08/08/2006 @ 01:08 PM (PDT)
I will cheerfully tradeTiggerTwo | 08/08/2006 @ 03:51 PM (PDT)
speaking of whichjdclyde | 08/09/2006 @ 05:52 AM (PDT)
Didn'tTiggerTwo | 08/09/2006 @ 07:28 AM (PDT)
don't have that addressjdclyde | 08/09/2006 @ 07:41 AM (PDT)
That's when the drug addiction startedkenscottii@... | 08/11/2006 @ 01:17 AM (PDT)
TT, it's a pity you say you want a TR coffee cup, causeDeadly Ernest | 08/08/2006 @ 04:43 PM (PDT)
But ErnestTiggerTwo | 08/09/2006 @ 05:01 AM (PDT)
These ones do as well, just open their mouth, pourDeadly Ernest | 08/09/2006 @ 04:43 PM (PDT)
Coffee onlyOnTheRopes | 08/10/2006 @ 02:47 PM (PDT)
But NeverBustedTiggerTwo | 08/10/2006 @ 02:57 PM (PDT)
I don't have much experience with elderly single maltsOnTheRopes | 08/10/2006 @ 04:40 PM (PDT)
Kinda like the old whine in new bottles bitGentleRF | 08/10/2006 @ 04:59 AM (PDT)
Me TooTiggerTwo | 08/10/2006 @ 07:48 AM (PDT)
Pardon justiceviberts | 08/10/2006 @ 04:01 AM (PDT)
In general, no need to mention on resume, butDeadly Ernest | 08/08/2006 @ 12:37 PM (PDT)
Ernest, in the USDMambo | 08/08/2006 @ 01:17 PM (PDT)
Hey DM, maybe I wasn't clear enoughDeadly Ernest | 08/08/2006 @ 04:40 PM (PDT)
One more time...TechExec2 | 08/08/2006 @ 04:51 PM (PDT)
If it's on the form then that is the time to say soDeadly Ernest | 08/08/2006 @ 07:30 PM (PDT)
RE: On the formGentleRF | 08/10/2006 @ 05:09 AM (PDT)
As those of you...jay_el_72@... | 08/10/2006 @ 02:59 AM (PDT)
Oops!TechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 06:37 AM (PDT)
Resume: Alternative ViewToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:16 AM (PDT)
Lucky for mejdclyde | 08/08/2006 @ 01:05 PM (PDT)
Fess up, JD..maecuff | 08/10/2006 @ 05:32 AM (PDT)
party party partyjdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 07:33 AM (PDT)
You are a rebel..maecuff | 08/10/2006 @ 08:24 AM (PDT)
For the first time in about a decadejdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 09:02 AM (PDT)
You are not thinking well....normhaga@... | 08/10/2006 @ 11:25 AM (PDT)
Your Points Don't Support Your Conclusiondarinhamer | 08/10/2006 @ 11:51 AM (PDT)
Most but not alljdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 12:00 PM (PDT)
Thinking well....normhaga@... | 08/10/2006 @ 03:23 PM (PDT)
didn't say criminaljdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 08:23 PM (PDT)
Think about the same.normhaga@... | 08/11/2006 @ 01:41 AM (PDT)
Try consultingTechExec2 | 08/08/2006 @ 05:03 PM (PDT)
It's Definitely Doable - Consultingttander24 | 08/10/2006 @ 06:14 PM (PDT)
Expunge a convictionalbertg@... | 08/08/2006 @ 05:20 PM (PDT)
I forget about that one until you mentioned it.Deadly Ernest | 08/08/2006 @ 07:34 PM (PDT)
Australian LawNehpets | 08/09/2006 @ 05:27 PM (PDT)
That may be the way in Queensland, but last time I checked in NSWDeadly Ernest | 08/09/2006 @ 09:37 PM (PDT)
Not that way in all other Australian StatesNehpets | 09/06/2006 @ 03:25 PM (PDT)
Patriot Act Banned Expungement !Buddy Extra | 08/10/2006 @ 08:57 AM (PDT)
I must have missed that partToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:21 AM (PDT)
2 cents more for Tigger DUIDageezer | 08/10/2006 @ 02:01 PM (PDT)
The argument wasTiggerTwo | 08/10/2006 @ 02:16 PM (PDT)
Punk cop - I love the imagery of a cop with spiked purple hairDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 05:06 PM (PDT)
This is only True in NSW, not other Australian statesNehpets | 09/06/2006 @ 03:30 PM (PDT)
Past ConvictionsBFilmFan | 08/09/2006 @ 03:43 AM (PDT)
BFilm is absolutely right, but...DMambo | 08/09/2006 @ 04:56 AM (PDT)
"lost weekend" is right!fungusAmongus | 08/09/2006 @ 07:23 AM (PDT)
All I can offer are my best wishesDMambo | 08/10/2006 @ 05:12 AM (PDT)
About those drug laws...GentleRF | 08/10/2006 @ 05:32 AM (PDT)
Welcome to the club amigo.Deadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 06:34 AM (PDT)
or he could move to Australia..Nehpets | 08/09/2006 @ 05:31 PM (PDT)
geez...that actually sound pretty good!fungusAmongus | 08/10/2006 @ 08:39 AM (PDT)
gee mate, we were founded by convicted felonsDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 04:50 PM (PDT)
Felons welcome*Nehpets | 09/06/2006 @ 03:36 PM (PDT)
Anything is possible...compootergeek@... | 08/09/2006 @ 07:17 AM (PDT)
Don't bother with anything healthcare-relatedbschaettle@... | 08/09/2006 @ 08:21 AM (PDT)
forget educational field as welljdclyde | 08/09/2006 @ 08:49 AM (PDT)
K-12 no... but higher ed....vicky.spelshaus@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:24 AM (PDT)
You're going to have a hard time for a long timeM_a_r_k | 08/09/2006 @ 09:08 AM (PDT)
Your StuckThe Admiral | 08/09/2006 @ 10:06 AM (PDT)
Er... Mr. AdmiralM_a_r_k | 08/09/2006 @ 10:27 AM (PDT)
lots of thingsjdclyde | 08/09/2006 @ 11:51 AM (PDT)
A non bad felonyCrashOverider | 08/09/2006 @ 01:29 PM (PDT)
There is a concept called "felonization"Too Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 01:22 PM (PDT)
a non bad felonyNehpets | 08/09/2006 @ 05:34 PM (PDT)
Non-Bad FelonyToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 01:48 PM (PDT)
It's hard to saymaxwell edison | 08/09/2006 @ 01:23 PM (PDT)
Actually, it did answer the questionjdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 05:36 AM (PDT)
Kinda points to the problemToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 01:52 PM (PDT)
Another victim of the drug warCrashOverider | 08/09/2006 @ 01:45 PM (PDT)
Not a victim...darinhamer | 08/10/2006 @ 08:13 AM (PDT)
Re: not a victimCrashOverider | 08/10/2006 @ 12:58 PM (PDT)
Well Put!paul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 03:13 PM (PDT)
Forget About Itcharlie@... | 08/09/2006 @ 06:09 PM (PDT)
Be forthright and honest, but don't spill your guts.tl.eckels@... | 08/10/2006 @ 01:06 AM (PDT)
This is totatlly ridiculousjacques.venter@... | 08/10/2006 @ 01:47 AM (PDT)
It has a lot of validity in SOME circumstancesDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 04:20 AM (PDT)
A right to hirer trust worthy peoplejdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 05:26 AM (PDT)
One little problem with your positionpaul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 05:53 AM (PDT)
Many problems with your positionTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 07:36 AM (PDT)
Easy for you to saypaul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 08:54 AM (PDT)
Feeling vs. ThinkingTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 10:39 AM (PDT)
Q&Apaul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 12:41 PM (PDT)
paul: My Answers to my own questionsTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 02:53 PM (PDT)
Still muzzy non-thinking...paul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 03:35 PM (PDT)
paul: You're stuckTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 04:56 PM (PDT)
Very well saidjdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 01:50 PM (PDT)
Thanks, JDTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 03:01 PM (PDT)
We are all accountable for our actions...paul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 03:06 PM (PDT)
Accountability without consequences is not accountabilityTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 04:01 PM (PDT)
I missed something very importantTechExec2 | 08/10/2006 @ 07:08 PM (PDT)
Where are you pulling this race card from?jdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 08:41 PM (PDT)
JD, I think he's misreading the prison stats, that happens a lotDeadly Ernest | 08/11/2006 @ 12:43 AM (PDT)
Education and root causesjdclyde | 08/11/2006 @ 04:34 AM (PDT)
JD, Over the decades the major uneducated poor ethnicDeadly Ernest | 08/11/2006 @ 06:30 AM (PDT)
Mistakes HappenToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:33 AM (PDT)
Nice example? Not....jdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 01:34 PM (PDT)
I could understand a problem if it was a sex crimeDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 06:39 AM (PDT)
What about character Ernest?jdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 01:56 PM (PDT)
I could go on about people making mistakesDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 05:41 PM (PDT)
Doesn't the first example prove my case?jdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 08:48 PM (PDT)
It may not be their first theft but it could beDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 09:13 PM (PDT)
Yes, and...TonytheTiger | 08/10/2006 @ 08:16 PM (PDT)
Actually, sex criminals may not repeat near as much ...Too Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 01:54 PM (PDT)
Isn't getting fact before knee jerking a reaction unamericanDeadly Ernest | 08/11/2006 @ 05:40 PM (PDT)
Hysteria Rather Than Common SenseToo Old For IT | 08/14/2006 @ 08:08 AM (PDT)
All of them should be removed.TonytheTiger | 08/10/2006 @ 07:53 AM (PDT)
Certainly a humble opinonpaul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 08:59 AM (PDT)
I'm not claiming to be an angel.TonytheTiger | 08/10/2006 @ 02:01 PM (PDT)
Discrimination?jdclyde | 08/10/2006 @ 02:03 PM (PDT)
And I hope all 2000 of them ...Too Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:29 AM (PDT)
There is a way...LadyzGuy | 08/10/2006 @ 01:49 AM (PDT)
LadyzGuy has it correct...paul.dame@... | 08/10/2006 @ 05:35 AM (PDT)
BUT...are you still being honest?darinhamer | 08/10/2006 @ 08:33 AM (PDT)
if it is dismissed then you are not a felon any moreLadyzGuy | 08/10/2006 @ 02:45 PM (PDT)
I see your point...darinhamer | 08/14/2006 @ 06:53 AM (PDT)
Everybody lies.....Gilsbugs | 08/10/2006 @ 05:48 AM (PDT)
Drugs can be a major problem to others, howeverDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 06:47 AM (PDT)
Are you breathing air?teddowdey@... | 08/10/2006 @ 02:32 PM (PDT)
yeah I'm breathing air AND I have a brainDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 06:03 PM (PDT)
This has been a test,teddowdey@... | 08/10/2006 @ 08:52 PM (PDT)
A few points but first justice and transporteesDeadly Ernest | 08/10/2006 @ 09:24 PM (PDT)
NOT all of us.X-MarCap | 08/11/2006 @ 11:02 AM (PDT)
Some crimes shouldn't be crimes.TonytheTiger | 08/10/2006 @ 08:32 AM (PDT)
Tru$T ?teddowdey@... | 08/10/2006 @ 02:45 PM (PDT)
Wouldn't hire you.darinhamer | 08/10/2006 @ 08:49 AM (PDT)
Depends...angry_white_male | 08/10/2006 @ 05:58 AM (PDT)
not in Orlando...fungusAmongus | 08/10/2006 @ 07:36 AM (PDT)
You could always open up a coffee shopToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 01:36 PM (PDT)
reporting felonysstefanog65@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:01 AM (PDT)
For 30 + yearsgihly@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:01 AM (PDT)
Business Owner's Point Of Viewmeanderson@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:36 AM (PDT)
Truebrian.kronberg@... | 08/10/2006 @ 07:29 AM (PDT)
Your arrogant attitude ...Too Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 10:36 AM (PDT)
Be up-front, but matter-of-factlyMarkM_in_Atlanta | 08/10/2006 @ 06:38 AM (PDT)
Try getting record Expungedsdurfee@... | 08/10/2006 @ 06:51 AM (PDT)
Sorry to be so harsh but...D-Ram | 08/10/2006 @ 08:07 AM (PDT)
i always appreciate an honest opinionfungusAmongus | 08/10/2006 @ 11:34 AM (PDT)
Another $0.02TiggerTwo | 08/10/2006 @ 01:05 PM (PDT)
Its been awhile..have you made any progress???pnuts999 | 03/07/2007 @ 10:13 PM (PST)
Contract or Consult Insteadkdonn@... | 08/10/2006 @ 09:08 AM (PDT)
Start Oversmills@... | 08/10/2006 @ 11:55 AM (PDT)
Mark, Expunge or reduced to misdemeaner go on line or contact lawyeralland100 | 08/10/2006 @ 12:56 PM (PDT)
Some one slap me or StOp IT!teddowdey@... | 08/10/2006 @ 02:01 PM (PDT)
Try Networking and Volunteer WorkMAJ JBM | 08/10/2006 @ 05:17 PM (PDT)
Get it quashed from your record...Crake | 08/10/2006 @ 09:25 PM (PDT)
Deal with the felony with the courtlluchesi@... | 08/11/2006 @ 02:27 AM (PDT)
honesty in applicationsRICHARDMFLORIN@... | 08/11/2006 @ 03:46 AM (PDT)
Yes, you are forever blackballedToo Old For IT | 08/11/2006 @ 09:56 AM (PDT)
It dependsDr_Zinj | 08/14/2006 @ 08:53 AM (PDT)
Encouraginggendersrm@... | 08/14/2006 @ 10:39 AM (PDT)
Here's the skinny for your job hunt - Good newsBlueKnight | 08/14/2006 @ 12:13 PM (PDT)
Behind the sceneplockit007@... | 08/25/2006 @ 04:46 AM (PDT)
Becoming An Exlan_ker@... | 08/29/2006 @ 05:26 PM (PDT)
hahIbanezoo | 08/29/2006 @ 06:02 PM (PDT)
FORGET ITJMAYSONET | 08/29/2006 @ 09:26 PM (PDT)
Try MacDonald's CONVICT!mjulson_z | 08/31/2006 @ 01:10 PM (PDT)
As long as it doesn't involve violence, I'd hire you.Absolutely | 09/06/2006 @ 05:51 PM (PDT)

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