I can’t use my healthcare license because of my conviction

Q: Hello,

In Maryland where I have an eight year old felony conviction for forgery. It is very hard to find a job. I hold a valid state health care license but I am consistently turned away for jobs because of that conviction. I have this license but it’s no good because of my record. Is this discrimination? Aren’t there laws against discrimination in this country? What can I do? I have worked hard to get this license but it is no good. Please help.

A: Hello KH,

Many ex-offenders and felons I speak to claim that they have been discriminated against because they have criminal records. Discrimination is very difficult to prove so I encourage felons to remove as many barriers to employment as possible.

You say you have only one conviction and it is over eight years old. You may be a candidate for expungement or having your record sealed. Some cases could be legally “sealed” and can only be opened by order of the court. To seal a criminal record entails that a court clerk is ordered by a judge to conceal a court record of Legal proceeding from public view. The records are not destroyed because under certain circumstances, a court can order that sealed records be reopened. The conviction can then only be seen by law enforcement or the court system. Generally, the outcome of sealing is the court acts as if the information in the record never existed. Even a juvenile record can be sealed. Once this has been done, It’s as if the offense never occurred. Persons may then properly and lawfully answer any questions about the arrest, acquittal, conviction etc., as if they never happened. For example, it is OK in a job interview or even under oath to deny a sealed conviction.

You can get more information about this process in the state of Maryland here:

http://mdcourts.gov/courtforms/joint/ccdccr072br.pdf

I hope this helps

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