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Author Topic: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)  (Read 4163 times)

Offline sheaforeal

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Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« on: June 08, 2011, 03:42:09 PM »
I have big plans on teaching in Korea by September.  I came across something that is making me worry.  I had a DWI about nine years ago when I was 18.  I have not had an encounter with the law in any way since that DWI.  I think the case was dismissed, and I was not ever charged after about a year of court dates.  Is the Criminal Background Check going to kill my chances of getting a job in Korea?

If anyone has anything to offer in personal or experiences you have heard about I would very much appreciate your input. I really want to teach in Korea, but I may have to start looking for a back-up plan. 

Thanks
« Last Edit: June 08, 2011, 03:46:42 PM by Sara Teacher »

Offline tunes522

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Re: Getting nervous???
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2011, 03:45:32 PM »
I have big plans on teaching in Korea by September.  I came across something that is making me worry.  I had a DWI about nine years ago when I was 18.  I have not had an encounter with the law in any way since that DWI.  I think the case was dismissed, and I was not ever charged after about a year of court dates.  Is the Criminal Background Check going to kill my chances of getting a job in Korea?

If anyone has anything to offer in personal or experiences you have heard about I would very much appreciate your input. I really want to teach in Korea, but I may have to start looking for a back-up plan. 

Thanks

i'm pretty sure the only thing you have to worry about are felonies...

Offline cc11det

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2011, 03:48:27 PM »
I have heard of  a couple people with similar experiences. If it is anywhere on your record they will not hire you.

Offline English Mike

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2011, 03:50:34 PM »
I had a drink driving conviction in June 2007, didn't stop me coming to Korea.
Good luck, sure you will be fine.

Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2011, 03:55:14 PM »
Your Criminal Background Check must show absolutely no arrests.  It should say something like "NO RECORD OF ARRESTS" (or something very similar).

If you have anything else (such as an arrest) on your background check, you will not be hired.
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline jsem

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2011, 04:13:49 PM »
  I think the case was dismissed, and I was not ever charged after about a year of court dates. 

For it to go to court, you would have been charged. This will show up on your check and this will prevent you getting hired in 99.9% of cases. They are really getting strict with these things.

Offline unclefrank

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2011, 04:25:56 PM »
I'm from the states. In 2007 I got charged with an underage consumption. I was on probation for six months, and after a year was up, it was expunged off my record (I got into no more trouble.) Did they say yours would be expunged? Anyways, mine came back clean, however I ended up not even needing it for my visa . I forget exactly what it said, but it simply should say something like 'NO ARREST RECORD.' I was actually surprised at how non-formal it looked, being from the FBI and such.

Don't quote me on this, but I've heard from a few sources that if you were booked...taken to jail and finger printed, then it will show up on the FBI check regardless. These sources were not from people applying for a Korean visa, but I was in your same boat last October, so I was asking questions about it as well. Again, don't quote me on that.

Good luck.

Offline sheaforeal

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2011, 04:27:47 PM »
 this will prevent you getting hired in 99.9% of cases.
[/quote]

So you're saying I have a chance!!

I need to find out exactly what is going on with my record. 

Thanks for all your replies.

Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2011, 04:34:04 PM »
this will prevent you getting hired in 99.9% of cases.

So you're saying I have a chance!!

I need to find out exactly what is going on with my record. 

Thanks for all your replies.
[/quote]

No.  What she is saying is that you aren't going to get hired/visa, but she doesn't want to make a blanket statement.
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline jsem

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2011, 04:38:41 PM »
OK, the only time I know of anyone being hired WITH a criminal record was when 'State' police checks were allowed to be submitted, so you could simply get a clean check in a different State to where you comitted the offence. However, these checks are no longer admissable as of September last year for new teachers. You have to get an FBI one that shows EVERYTHING. Your best bet is to speak to the recruiter. I would prepare to be dissappointed though :-(

Offline happyexecutioner

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2011, 04:55:54 PM »
OP, where are you from? I used to work for the background check office(disclosure scotland) in the uk , if you're british then send me a pm and i might be able to help, best of luck

Offline sheaforeal

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2011, 04:58:36 PM »
I am from the US.  Nice looking out though.

Offline younameit

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2011, 05:03:11 PM »
If one has a F2 visa would they need a National or FBI background check?
Freedom is like farts... You enjoy yours but usually can't stand other's...

Offline superjo2092

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2011, 05:06:13 PM »
I had a DWAI (step below a DUI) back in 2003.  It didn't show up on my FBI check that I got this year, but it did show up on an FBI check I had done for a different job back a couple years ago.  I'm not sure how long it takes to get expunged from your federal record. 
In regards to what someone else had said, isn't a DUI a felony???
Also, to the OP, if you're from Colorado (like I am), apparently now they will not expunge any DUI offense from your record in your lifetime.  Hope you're not from there.
"-Isms in my opinion are not good.  A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself.  I quote John Lennon, 'I don't believe in Beatles.  I just believe in me.'  A good point there.  After all, he was the walrus.  I could be the walrus, I'd still have to bum rides off of people."

Offline ak433

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2011, 05:07:22 PM »
They ask for FBI check now... they take you since it was so long.

Offline happyexecutioner

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #15 on: June 08, 2011, 05:11:04 PM »
sorry man im no use to you, the only thing i can suggest is getting in touch with the office in the us and asking them if your conviction/record will be disclosed on the the paper work that the korean government asks for, however i would say that getting that sort of information from a criminal records office would be long shot.

Offline tealstardust

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #16 on: June 08, 2011, 05:17:33 PM »
FBI checks are not THAT expensive (at least compared to Oregon state checks).  Before you spend money on EVERYTHING else, like passport, transcripts, apostilles, etc... get the background check and see what it says.  Don't freak out to much, and once you find a recruiter, be honest with them up front and ask what your chances are.  It may affect your chances of working in Korea, but look at the check first before you worry yourself to much and see what it says.  This may be needless worry over nothing, or it might just be the thing that keeps you from coming.  Just find out the info before freaking out. 

Offline sheaforeal

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #17 on: June 08, 2011, 05:18:34 PM »
I am going to give my lawyer a ring in the morning.  I will see what he has to say about what my record should look like now, and just see what advice he has for me.  He was my baseball coach for close to ten years.  Sounds like I have him on speed dial, but I have only used him for my DWI incident.

Offline TriKorea

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #18 on: June 08, 2011, 06:30:13 PM »
I had a friend who just tried to come to Korea... first we found her a public school job - soon as they found out she had a DUI they rejected her... we found her a private school job - it took some effort, her signing some letter saying she won't drink in Korea at all... just for her E2 visa to be REJECTED from the Korea consulate. So if you have a DUI/alcohol related change, you will likely be denied an E2 visa and a job here in Korea. Good luck though!! She is now working in China and loving it!!!
www.iherb.com great place to get Gluten Free products, vitamins, and workout supplements shipped to the ROK for only $4... ******$5 off your first order with this code UPE657 ******

Living for Adventure!

Offline sheaforeal

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Re: Getting nervous??? (Criminal Background Check)
« Reply #19 on: September 07, 2011, 04:38:17 PM »
I just wanted to give an update on the situation.  I got my background check not to long ago in the mail.  My DWI was listed on the papers I got from the FBI.  I guess I managed to get into that .01% that still managed to get a job in Korea with that on the rap sheet.  I will not ever be able to teach at a public school, but I guess private schools are okay. 

Just thought I would update you all if any of you care, and this might help some others that may be in the same boat I am sailing. 

 

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