As experienced criminal defense attorneys in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, it is always a goal of ours to keep our client’s criminal record in mind when negotiating a deal. If our client does not want to go to trial or wants to take a deal (but not be railroaded), then we attempt to get a resolution where this situation does not permanently affect them moving forward. One of the most common situations where criminal history comes into play is during the job application process. Often, applications will ask if the person applying has ever been convicted of a crime. Sometimes, without being able to give explanation, they are simply excluded from moving forward because of their answer. This is why Colorado lawmakers are considering a “Ban the Box” bill, which would stop prospective employers from asking about criminal histories on an application.
Prospective Employers and Background Checks in Larimer County: Ban the Box Does Not Stop Employers from Accessing Criminal Histories
Now, this bill does not keep an employer from running a background check. If you have a criminal record, your employer could still see it. The point is to allow qualified people to not be automatically excluded from open positions, simply because they checked a box that doesn’t come close to telling the whole story – who they are and if they are right for the job. It would encourage people to apply for the jobs they want, because some simply don’t apply if they have to answer that question. They assume they won’t get the job based on their answer, and sadly that is often the case.
Colorado Ban the Box Bill: A New Hope in Fort Collins and Loveland
It makes sense that an employer would want to know the criminal history of a potential employee. Let’s be honest, someone who has an extensive history of work related Thefts might not be the best candidate to work at a bank or retail store. But, for someone who has a Harassment charge on their record after an argument with an ex-girlfriend escalated and things got loud, their criminal history would likely have no bearing on their ability to work at one of these places. Again, a criminal record does not tell the whole story about a person, and it’s unfair to make assumptions based on one checked box. Let’s hope this bill passes into law!
If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007.
Image Source: Pixabay – geralt