Joining MLA with a criminal record

[Dazzy]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum but have been a hobbyist locksmith for quite some time. I currently work as a roofer but I'm applying for my first real locksmithing job. Only problem is the company i want to work for is part of the MLA, and I have a criminal record.

I've never stolen anything or defrauded anyone or anything like that, but many years ago I was caught with a lot of dope. I was young and stupid and i served my time, but my conviction is not spent.

Will the MLA refuse anyone with any criminal record. or as I didn't commit a dishonesty offence, will I still be allowed membership, or at least be able to work for a locksmith who is a member.

I hope someone can help answer this, i'm going to be heart broken if i can never work as a locksmith because of a stupid mistake when i was still basicly a kid.

[Evan]

@Dazzy:

You need to provide some information as to what the specific offense you committed and were convicted of was...

Can't help you with vague stuff like 'a stupid mistake'...

~~ Evan

[Dazzy]

Possesion and supply of drugs

[EmCee]

You know the answer to this really - unfortunately nobody is going to be able to find a way through this other than the obvious: you need to have a chat with your potential employer.

Providing information about any criminal record would be a requirement for any job and it would be foolish to try to conceal it. Depending on your age when you committed the offence and the length of your sentence, the rehab period could be up to 10 years. Your potential employer may appreciate it if you go to them first, informally, rather than wait until you have to reveal it when you complete paperwork. You could even volunteer for a test - or have one done anyway and take the result to them - to show that you are clean.

You do not have to become an MLA member to work as a locksmith, so joining the MLA would be a secondary consideration. Your potential employer will know whether it will be a problem for them, as an MLA locksmith, to employ you. On the face of it, as you say, it is not an offence that poses an obvious risk to working as a locksmith.

Good luck.

Cheers...

[Evan]

@Dazzy:

That isn't the most terrible of offenses to have been convicted of... That being said:

The UK has different rules about such things, perhaps one of the UK lockies will reply with specific info ( give some amount of time for people to reply before giving up on it ) -- but in my part of the US, conviction on a drug offense like possession with intent to distribute is a Felony ( unless the drug in question was only cannabis/marijuana ) and would count against you character-wise as a presumptive disqualification for many types of professional licenses and you would have to be very convincing in your appeal to the specific licensing board to overcome that conviction and be granted your license...

While the work of locksmithing isn't a regulated nor licensed trade beyond simply obtaining a general business license and sales tax registration in my region, however you are required to have a low-voltage electrical license ( Class D "Systems Technician" ) at minimum and an "S-License" ( which in order to obtain you must already possess an electrical license ) issued by the Department of Public Safety to work on or install any alarm or access control system and the inability to obtain either one of those licenses might limit one's employability in the modern locksmithing profession... Without having both of those licenses you MUST at all times perform any work which requires such a license under the direct supervision of someone who is properly licensed which means your potential employer would be limited as to what sort of work you could legally perform solo...

~~ Evan

[Dazzy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Emcee.

your right, i definatly need to be open about it. I think it is something I will bring up if I am offered the job. I reckon bringing it up pre-interview may be a bad idea, but hopefully once they have met me and if they feel I am suitable for the job it will be easier for them to accept.

As to taking a test, i'd be happy to as all i ever took drug wise was smoking a bit of weed, and I havent done that for over 8 years! I have only ever been arrested once and once only, unfortunatly I got mixed up with the wrong people when I was young and paid a serious price. Since then I have stayed out of trouble and stayed away from anyone involved in crime, however as I has such a serious charge, i'm not conviced that the MLA with give me a chance.

I can totally understand why people want to know their locksmith doesnt have a criminal record, but people make mistakes, and I will be deeply sadden if my mistakes stops me from pursuing a career that I would enjoy and know i would be good at

[Dazzy]

Evan, thanks for your reponse, we must have been typing at the same time as I hadnt seen your message when I was typing my first reply

[Dazzy]

Sorry for the triple post, but thought i'd let you guys know what i just found out.

I called the MLA and asked about my situation, they said that as long as I hadn't been convicted for a theft or fraud, or anykind of offence like that, I could still become a member.

Fingers crossed that my potential employer, 1 likes me, and 2, believes in giving people a second chance.

[Poff]

Another thing you may want to look into is weather or not you can get your record cleaned up. If you have not had any criminal history for a significant period you may be able to file to have it removed. I have a buddy who had a misdemeanor drug offense from when he was young and has not had any other run-ins with the law. He got the conviction removed.