Can you get a job if you have been arrested?

Possibly. It depends on what type of work it is and what you have been arrested for.

If you have been arrested, a potential employer will think about the following:

1- What have you been arrested for? Was it for a violent crime? If so an employer may not want to risk a lawsuit for your assaulting a fellow employee or customer. Was it for theft? If so the employer may not want to take a chance that you will steal from them. Is there a possibility you will serve jail or prison time? If so an employer may not want to spend time training you if there is a chance you won’t be around to work.

2- Is it a felony or a misdemeanor? Some employers may not consider a misdemeanor to be a big deal.

3- Will your sentence affect your employment? If you are going to be on probation the employer may not care. But if you receive house arrest there is a possibility you won’t be available to perform all of your duties if your job requires you to leave the county or be on-call. If you are convicted of DUI and lose your license and you drive for a living there would obviously be an issue with a potential employer.

These are just some of the considerations an employer considers when you apply for a job with a pending charge. If you have been arrested contact an attorney to discuss your options and how to put yourself in the best light for future employers.