houstonlady
03-28-2007, 02:50 PM
Sorry this is so long, just wanted to explain the situation and ask questions.
I am a 53 year old woman in Houston, TX. Never had any trouble with the law at all, not even a parking ticket, until approx. Sept. 2002. At that time I had a "melt-down" and did something really dumb and stupid. There are several things that contributed to my "temporary lack of mental facilities", but that is probably irrevelent. The fact is I got in trouble and had to go to court on two cases. One case was dismissed in court, the other I had to have deferred adjutation (misdeamor). I completed my community service well ahead of time and got an early dismissal. However, this is on my criminal record and is making it very difficult to get a job. At interviews, I feel like "I really have this job. They're going to hire me", only to find out a few days later that they did not - and I know it is because they did a background check and saw that. I was working for TX Dept of Criminal Justice for about 6 yrs total, the last unit being in Dallas. I could not transfer with my job because there were no openings in my position (clerical, secretarial) so I had to quit 7-1-06 so I could relocate. I then moved to Houston and started applying for jobs with TDCJ, the school systems in and around Houston, as well as many other state and nonstate agencies, and individual companies. I have an excellent work background, am knowledgeable and confident in my work skills, but I cannot get rehired because of that background check.
Here is my question: I am unemployed, zero income, living with a friend. I want to file expunctions and/or non-disclosure forms. I was told they cost 225.00 each. Is there a way, since I have zero income, that I can get assistance with that cost from some sort of legal aid, and sign a contract to pay it back upon employment? Is there a way to file them without having to pay so much, or any at all? Why does it cost so much, if I download and fill out the papers myself and take them to the courthouse myself?
Another question regarding the non-disclosure form. I read where upon filing a non-disclosure, the def adj would not be given out to the public, but certain agencies & law enforcement agencies could still get it. What does that mean regarding criminal background checks done for employment purposes? Would ISD's and TDCJ still have access to see it? If so, then what is the purpose of filing for non-disclosure if people checking for employment purposes can still access it. Can the def adj be sealed or expunged or something where it cannot be seen by anyone?
I am so desperate to get that mess cleared up and become employable again
I am a 53 year old woman in Houston, TX. Never had any trouble with the law at all, not even a parking ticket, until approx. Sept. 2002. At that time I had a "melt-down" and did something really dumb and stupid. There are several things that contributed to my "temporary lack of mental facilities", but that is probably irrevelent. The fact is I got in trouble and had to go to court on two cases. One case was dismissed in court, the other I had to have deferred adjutation (misdeamor). I completed my community service well ahead of time and got an early dismissal. However, this is on my criminal record and is making it very difficult to get a job. At interviews, I feel like "I really have this job. They're going to hire me", only to find out a few days later that they did not - and I know it is because they did a background check and saw that. I was working for TX Dept of Criminal Justice for about 6 yrs total, the last unit being in Dallas. I could not transfer with my job because there were no openings in my position (clerical, secretarial) so I had to quit 7-1-06 so I could relocate. I then moved to Houston and started applying for jobs with TDCJ, the school systems in and around Houston, as well as many other state and nonstate agencies, and individual companies. I have an excellent work background, am knowledgeable and confident in my work skills, but I cannot get rehired because of that background check.
Here is my question: I am unemployed, zero income, living with a friend. I want to file expunctions and/or non-disclosure forms. I was told they cost 225.00 each. Is there a way, since I have zero income, that I can get assistance with that cost from some sort of legal aid, and sign a contract to pay it back upon employment? Is there a way to file them without having to pay so much, or any at all? Why does it cost so much, if I download and fill out the papers myself and take them to the courthouse myself?
Another question regarding the non-disclosure form. I read where upon filing a non-disclosure, the def adj would not be given out to the public, but certain agencies & law enforcement agencies could still get it. What does that mean regarding criminal background checks done for employment purposes? Would ISD's and TDCJ still have access to see it? If so, then what is the purpose of filing for non-disclosure if people checking for employment purposes can still access it. Can the def adj be sealed or expunged or something where it cannot be seen by anyone?
I am so desperate to get that mess cleared up and become employable again