need serious input

I recently accepted an offer at GS for a summer analyst position. Over winter vacation, I was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and was given a civil infraction for possession of marijuana - I was in a vehicle where they found MJ, but it wasn't mine (the weed or car), and yes, in my hometown a MJ possession is just a civil infraction, not a misd., which the police officer kind of used as the basis for issuing it despite the fact I wasn't in possession....he kept saying "don't worry it's like a speeding ticket it wont be a criminal offense on any background check, etc." ANYWAY, obviously I got the ticket dismissed, but unfortunately for me the record of the ticket being issued remains in the civil cout database, with the offense listed (poss. of MJ) and the disposition as "dismissed on payment of costs by motion of the city attorney".

My criminal record is completely clean, but I am trippin out about my background check and feel that this is really going to screw me and I'll have my offer rescinded, despite the fact I wasn't convicted. I put a lot of hard work into getting on the street and this would be devastating as well as very humiliating.

sorry for the long message, but i was wondering if anyone has any feedback to give on my situation as I can't stop thinking about it... thanks, and please don't post with jokes and stuff, this ain't funny.

8 Comments
 
dll700what if you quit a job at a local shop in your area? does HR find out about stuff like that?

you've asked about this way too many times. how about you quit worrying about it and take some action.

as for the original questions - i agree that you should contact HR immediately and lay out the situation. nothing is worse than letting them come to their own conclusions

 

sumanlst08, Something very similar happened to me but with an open container. I talked to a lawyer, and as long as your criminal record is clean your fine. They have to do an extremely extensive background check to uncover the MJ issue. If you want, explain to HR ahead of time, but I would say your fine. I would frame it that the ticket was due to your presence and not due to possession.

 

just want you all to know i appreciate your feedback, the more the better. I have heard that goldman does do those extremely extensive background checks though....(actually read online that somebody got turned down for a secretary position based on a 9 year old account sent to collections that showed up on the credit check)

 

lawyers can only tell you what, by law, permits them to deny you employment. A dismissal is a non-conviction, so i think legally they can't ask about it, but if they uncover the charge and think im hiding something they can look pretty deep, and they can rescind an offer if the want. Also, the record is a public record, only available at that district courthouse, so if they check civil court records (which can be included in a background check), then they will see it - but that is subjective to the firm...i just hear goldman digs the deepest

 

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