That depends upon a number of factors, with two of the most important one's being the nature of the felony you committed, and the number of years since your case was discharged.
***Was someone injured or killed??
***Did your crime involve acts of violence??
***Did the crime(s) for which you were convicted involve trafficking of narcotics??
***Was it a crime that involved theft, (including identity theft) or financial fraud??
One major factor that will weigh heavily is whether a company's insurers will allow you to be hired.
Understand, this is not simply an issue of a company's willingness to "give you a chance"; it's also a matter of an insurer's willingness to accept you as a risk.
***Were you incarcerated?? If so, then for how long??
***Are you still on parole or on probation?? If you are then you're chances of being hired are most likely somewhere between zero and nothing.
***Did you successfully complete parole or probation requirements and conditions??
***If you've been discharged from probation or parole requirements, then the time since discharge may have to be considered.
Two Very Important Questions:
1.) Have you taken ownership for the crime(s) you committed??
Personal Accountability and acceptance of responsibility for your past will weigh heavily in a company's decision to accept you as a risk. This is an industry that plays for keeps. A "good excuse" and a couple or three of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee, but that's about it. No reputable company will risk hiring drivers who blame their past on other people, "the system", or adverse circumstances in your upbringing.
There are some bottom feeding "outlaw" companies who will hire felons, but it's only because they pay slave wages, offer few, if any benefits, run their drivers illegally, and operate shoddy equipment. They can't attract quality talent.
Outlaw companies are generally owned and operated by the scum of the Earth. Their safety ratings are usually low, and their reputations are generally known to state Department's of Transportation's law enforcement officers.
As a driver with a record, you'll be an easy target when you find yourself pulled around the back of the chicken houses. Additionally, you're the one who will find yourself shut down and fined for violations. Another problem is that those snakes have a way of not paying their drivers, and collecting back wages from them isn't always easy.
2.) What have you been doing since the time that you were convicted, and if applicable, incarcerated??
What do you have to offer as evidence to a prospective employer that would demonstrate that the troubles of your past are indeed behind you?? Your employment history, substance abuse history, (more correctly stated, your ability to provide evidence of remaining drug free) your driving record, and you're attitude will speak volumes in this respect.
I've been out of the industry for some time now (almost a decade) and much in the industry has changed since I left. I suggest that you put a shout-out to "GMAN", who is one of the CAD moderators. He's been in the industry since Moses rode a tricycle, and he's also a successful small fleet owner. Good man; knows his stuff.
Last edited by Useless; 10-16-2014 at 06:55 AM.
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