Working in EMS with a Felony Record

[WolfmanHarris]

For the record, in the province of Ontario you can not work as a Paramedic with a criminal record that demonstrates "moral terptitude." Essentially the province will not let you work as a medic with a record. Nor can you of you have greater than 6 demerits points on your license (two mild speeding tickets or one more serious violation). This is the minimum. No service will employ you in Ontario with anything but a clean criminal record and vulnerable sector check and less than 3 demerits on your DL.

 

[mycrofft]

Doccamden, use the system.

Get a lawyer, see if there is a way to beat it, then decide if it is worth the price and the fight. Simple, not easy.

Even if it is somehow prestidigitated off the record, you will be asked by employers and the folks who will insure or bond you if you EVER were convicted. Then you need to stop and explain.

Like stepping out a moving vehicle, some things can't be done over. If it was BS, then prove it. If it was true, then you are stuck with the sequelae, and maybe throw your efforts elsewhere rather than obsessing.

Besides, EMS can be a knowledge set, not just a lifestyle or a profession.

 

[FLEMTP]

I see no problem with felons re-integrating into society at all, in fact, im a huge advocate of it. With that said, there are some areas of society a felon should never be allowed to participate in again. When you become a felon, you lose your right to vote, you lose your right to own a firearm, and you also lose the ability or opportunity to work in certain areas of society and in certain professions. You cannot be a police officer, in most cases a firefighter, and you should not be allowed to work in EMS, or the medical field for starters.
There are many many careers and professions open to people, and I encourage felons to apply themselves in one of those other careers, but as I said before, I do NOT want a convicted felon to be working on me or my family, or in my house trying to put out a fire, or ESPECIALLY enforcing the laws of the land. I also personally believe that a felony should preclude you from holding ANY elected or appointed political office, irregardless of WHAT the felony is.

In the state of Florida, if you commit certain misdemeanors three times or more, they upgrade you to habitual offender status and subsequent misdemeanors you commit of the same type each becomes a felony count, for example, prostitution, or driving while license suspended, or even passing a bad check. Irregardless, a felony is a felony is a felony. It doesn't matter HOW you got to a felony offender status is irrelevant, it is the fact that you did get convicted of a felony.

 

[VentMedic]

Good morning every one;

I have found like any other industry in the United States it is difficult for some one with a Felony conviction to gain employment. After a period of over 10 years (arrested in 1993 and convicted in 1994 released in 1995 off of supervision since 1997) I find that in 2010 the State and some transport companies are very harsh against a person who made a bad judgement. Almost 20 years since I have been arrested and some EMT's have DWI's and Traffic issues (which I never had... I dont drink or smoke intoxicants) and yet there is almost an impossibility of aquiring a 911 job. Does any one have any simular stories and suggested solutions (btw expungment is out of the question because of the nature of the crime) Just one more thing if the state will approve me (and I hope the government standards should be the bench mark...) why cant there be some consideration.

Have you been unemployed for twenty years? Have you sought out professions and education to improve your chances at other careers during the past 20 years?

The crimes that are excluded from expungment are pretty serious. Even one well known doctor and author who is worshipped in EMS for his famous book lost his medical license when convicted of one of those crimes.


These are the crimes in Florida that are not eligible for expungement.

• Luring or Enticing a Child - F.S. 787.025
• Sexual Battery and related offense - Chapter 794
• Procuring person under 18 for prostitution - F.S. 796.03
• Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age - F.S. 800.04
• Voyeurism – F.S. 810.14
• Violations of the Florida Communications Fraud Act (Scheme to defraud or Organized Fraud as defined in F.S. 817.034)
• Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult - F.S. 825.1025
• Sexual Performance by a child - F.S. 827.071
• Sexual misconduct with mentally deficient or mentally ill defendant and related offenses. A violation of any offense qualify for registration as a sexual predator under F.S. 775.21 or for registration as a sexual offender under F.S. 943.0435.
• Offenses by public officers and employees - Chapter 839
• Giving/showing/transmitting/loaning obscene materials to a minor - F.S. 847.0133
• Computer pornography(child related) - F.S. 847.0135
• Selling or buying of minors - F.S. 847.0145
• Drug Trafficking (Trafficking in Controlled Substances) - F.S. 893.135 (This does not include possession)
• Violations of Pretrial detention or release - F.S. 907.041
• Arson - F.S. 806.01
• Aggravated Assault - F.S. 784.021
• Aggravated Battery - F.S. 784.045
• Illegal use of explosives - F.S. 790.001
• Child abuse or aggravated child abuse- Chapter 827
• Abuse of elderly person or disabled adult, or aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult
• Aircraft Piracy
• Kidnapping - Chapter 787
• Homicide - Chapter 782
• Manslaughter - F.S. 782.07
• Robbery - F.S. 812.13
• Carjacking - F.S. 812.133
• Sexual activity with a child, who is 12 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of age, by or at solicitation of a person in familial or custodial authority - F.S. 827.071
• Burglary of a dwelling - F.S. 810.02
• Stalking and aggravated stalking - F.S. 784.048
• Act of Domestice Violence as defined in F.S. 741.28
• Home invasion robbery - F.S. 812.135
• Act of terrorism as defined by F.S. 775.30
• Manufacturing any substances in violation of chapter 893
• Attempting or conspiring to committ any of the above crimes

if expunction is out of the question, you could look at a petition of non-disclosure, but the state EMS board will still have access to it. That procedure just makes it so that private entities are not privy to your history.

I would not want anyone convicted of one of the above crimes not disclosing that information.

Then the state should have never certified me, the recitvism rates exist based on the fact that there is a lack of education, oppertunity, and the fact that matters of employment if the crime doesnt relate to liability at a paticular job then this shouldnt have bearing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Personally I think that after some time or the relative matters of the crime should be considered and detail on a back ground check.

If the state certified you, then they did take into consideration of your background. Now you would just have to find an employer that is as tolerant. However, if the state did not do a background check or you did not disclose any informaton assuming they would do a check, then that is a whole different issue.

Did you also take the NREMT? This is their felony policy:
https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/policy_felony.asp

 

[DarthMalachi]

In 1999, I was convicted of a class A1 misdemeanor(one step below a felony), as outlined in the general statutes of North Carolina.
The crime was of a self-defense nature, and I was ill-advised by my lawyer to accept a plea and not try the case. Being young and the first time I'd EVER been in trouble, I relied on the bad advice.
Subsequently, I was certified by NC not longer than 2 months after conviction, and practiced as not only a basic, but an intermediate as well. I was able to produce character references and an explanation of circumstances, as required by the NC OEMS.
I had no trouble finding work, once I explained the situation.
I can sympathize, though, with the OP's situation, having been there in some degree myself.
With that being said, certain felonies are, and SHOULD be, adequate cause for denial of certification as an EMT, and therefore, employment as such.

 

[WolfmanHarris]

To add some further perspective from another jurisdiction: in order to enter a Primary Care Paramedic program in Ontario or at the very least before starting any clinical placement or preceptorship the student must present a clear criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening before each semester.

Part of becoming a profession and being taken seriously as such is setting standards for entry to practise that protects the public and the reputation of Paramedicine. It's not the only thing, but I'm not going to threadjack.

 

[FLEMTP]

To add some further perspective from another jurisdiction: in order to enter a Primary Care Paramedic program in Ontario or at the very least before starting any clinical placement or preceptorship the student must present a clear criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening before each semester.

Part of becoming a profession and being taken seriously as such is setting standards for entry to practise that protects the public and the reputation of Paramedicine. It's not the only thing, but I'm not going to threadjack.

I feel that the US needs to adopt this as standard practice with any and every EMS agency, mandated at the state level. I envy you folks in canada, you do EMS much better than we do here in the states IMHO when it comes to the level of professionalism expected and demanded from its personnel.

 

[phideux]

I know here in South Carolina, we were required to go through a background check, and a drug test before we could even start the EMT class. And then, before the state issued my card, I had to do a background check again. If you have your heart set on being an EMT, hire a lawyer and see if you can get your record expunged.

 

[Nick647]

In my eyes, it really depends what the crime was. If it was a sex offense, no way or anything of that nature, absolutely not, as well as hurting other people. If it was a drug felony, I feel it depends on the person and how long ago and how/if they shaped up. If they have remained sober and/or clean from it and have committed to keeping like that and have an honest and positive attitude about their future, I would say give it a shot. If it had to do with hurting another person in a real bad way, absolutely not. If its an assault misdermeader, you could maybe work with them. The whole point of EMS, FD and PD is to ease other peoples suffering and to make the world a better place. To me, it has to do with honesty, owning up to your mistakes, and accepting the consequences, that is if you have a record.

 

[firecoins]

becareful about sex offenses. There are things people get convicted of and labeled sex offenders despite not really being so. Example; teenagers sexting nude photos of themselves to their significant others. Police are cracking down on these teens. It gets listed under child pornography and the teenagers are listed as sexual predators.

 

[Nick647]

Yeah, I didnt mean to blatently bring that subject up. I think as a whole, with felony and ems jobs, it really depends and how have you improved.

 

[WolfmanHarris]

Yeah, I didnt mean to blatently bring that subject up. I think as a whole, with felony and ems jobs, it really depends and how have you improved.

Couldn't disagree more. A felony is by definition a serious crime. Decisions have consequences and sometimes all the effort and best intentions don't make those go away. Sometimes a door is closed and it is certainly not the role of this profession to provide rehabilitation for people who have made mistakes. Our job is to provide patient care and to ensure we have and maintain the public's trust. We cannot do that by allowing people with criminal records to join our ranks.

 

[Nick647]

My apologies. I see your point and now that i do, i agree with it. Thank you for your insight. My bad if I offended anybody, and know that I have a clearer perspective on what felony is, I understand too. Thanks. I think you are right that if somebody has committed a serious crime, they shouldnt have the right to serve in the ranks such as this. Thank you.

 

[Nick647]

In the end, I wouldnt want someone who has a history of hurting others in my house and helping me. Id want someone who professional tendencies who are compassionate.

 

[Tonester]

If possible, get your felony reduced to a misdemeanor. In California, PC 17 allows certain offenses to be reduced to misdemeanor. Then get the expungement.

Example: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/crimlawclean.htm#eligible

The expungement by itself is pretty worthless in my opinion unless you get the reduction to go along with it. So even if you did have to report the conviction, you could legally state you have never been convicted of a felony just a misdemeanor.

 

[firetender]

I'll chime in after I hear from the OP. The crime you were convicted of DOES make a difference, but only in how others perceive it. I will say it will take some doing, but if it's important to you, you'll do it.

 

[EMSLaw]

You didn't really tell us anything about the situation that would be helpful. What state you're in, for example, or what the offense was. If you don't want to, that's fine, but we can't really tell you anything. Besides, everyone here can blow sunshine up your skirt all they want, and that won't get you a job.

In New Jersey, indictable offenses (felonies) require a 10-year waiting period prior to expungement, and you cannot have any prior or subsequent convictions for another felony, or for more than two disorderly or petty disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors and "petty" misdemeanors). There are a list of convictions that can't be expunged, and, as Vent pointed out, all of them are serious. There are other statutory requirements as well.

Yes, life is tough for people with felony convictions on their records. They can't get many student loans, sometimes can't vote, and have a list of civil disabilities that vary by state. If you've been clean for thirteen years, as you say, you might consider applying for a pardon, or a certificate of rehabilitation, or certificate of relief from disabilities, or whatever your state might call it. But as far as finding a job with an EMS agency... I'm sorry to say, good luck, you'll need it.

And how did this become the topic de jour? We've had multiple threads on this same subject lately.

 

[FLEMTP]

And how did this become the topic de jour? We've had multiple threads on this same subject lately.

I think its because there are so many laws on the books nowadays.. virtually anything is a crime anymore...and more people are finding themselves in a situation where they are accused of a crime or find themselves convicted of a crime, but yet want to pursue their dreams or goals despite that.

Im not saying its hard to not commit a crime..because obviously there are people who can do it, myself included.. but as an example... if you screw up and mis balance your checkbook, and inadvertently bounce a check, thats a crime, intentional or not.

I think also the level of technology today makes law enforcement more aware of crimes being committed and makes it easier to prosecute and present evidence that a crime was committed.

I also feel that this country is turning into a nanny state.. where the government is regulating every aspect of our lives "for our own good"

Case in point.. 100 years ago.. it was common for a 14 year old girl and a 19 year old man to marry and have kids, etc. These days that gets you locked in jail and listed as a registered sex offender. Im not advocating any criminal behavior or advocating the prosecution of this... just showing an example of how things have changed.

 

[EMSLaw]

Im not saying its hard to not commit a crime..because obviously there are people who can do it, myself included.. but as an example... if you screw up and mis balance your checkbook, and inadvertently bounce a check, thats a crime, intentional or not.

...

Case in point.. 100 years ago.. it was common for a 14 year old girl and a 19 year old man to marry and have kids, etc. These days that gets you locked in jail and listed as a registered sex offender. Im not advocating any criminal behavior or advocating the prosecution of this... just showing an example of how things have changed.

Bouncing a check isn't a criminal offense. Most of the time, bad check cases come out of people writing checks on closed accounts. Even then, there are usually multiple demands for payment before anything criminal comes of it.

As for marriageable age, that depends on state law. There are still places you can marry that young, IIRC.

 

[FLEMTP]

Bouncing a check isn't a criminal offense. Most of the time, bad check cases come out of people writing checks on closed accounts. Even then, there are usually multiple demands for payment before anything criminal comes of it.

As for marriageable age, that depends on state law. There are still places you can marry that young, IIRC.

Im going by what I know about the law in the state of florida... thats where I work and live. I should have stated that in my previous post sorry