Would a misdemeanor I got expunged stop me from being a pilot?
Posted by BellybuttonLeopards@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Plead No contest on a trespassing misdemeanor (originally a felony burglary on arrest but was dropped to trespassing a week later) but afterwards got my record expunged. Would I need to disclose this to the FAA and would it straight stop me from being a pilot?
dodexahedron@reddit
Shouldn't. The only stuff that the FAA really cares about are driving or substance-related offenses that indicate substance abuse as a healt issue or certain other things that are strongly linked to reckless behavior or disregard of clear regulations.
Something like a misdemeanor for reckless operation of a personal watercraft (which you can get simply for being closer than 60 feet on a jet ski if a cop is having a bad day, as I did when I was 17) might get some scrutiny, IF they found out about it. And they probably won't, because they pull your driving records, so unless your state puts other things in that, they're not gonna see without you making them see. And they still only look back up to 10 years, anyway, and tend to not care nearly as much after 5, as well Even a DUI becomes something an AME is authorized to issue on the spot in spite of, at 5 years, if it wasn't BAC over 0.15.
So your trespassing days don't have to be over if you don't want them to be. đ
Just don't go around advertising it. The aviation world is small.
CaravanPirate@reddit
OP was arrested for burglary, which is trespassing inside a conveyance with the intent to commit another crime (typically theft).
One_Event1734@reddit
Yes you need to disclose it on your medical application and any job that asks. Misconception is expunged crimes don't count, and aren't reportable but they are.
Call AOPA Pilot Protection Services for $18/month and use both their medical and legal teams for how best to handle it. Cheap and easy answers.
Mobe-E-Duck@reddit
On medical? Whereâs it ask about that?
One_Event1734@reddit
18w. History of nontraffic conviction(s) (misdemeanors or felonies).
imasmurf117@reddit
If you plead no contest, its normally not a conviction, but you do have to complete a deferred adjudication program. Still on your record, but not a conviction.
CaravanPirate@reddit
This is absolutely wrong.
One_Event1734@reddit
Again why I said reference the AOPA lawyers, because leaving it off could get you in trouble, but putting it on when you don't have to could get you in trouble too.
BellybuttonLeopards@reddit (OP)
Yeah also my question, so disclose it on my medical exam that I have to get before flight school?
One_Event1734@reddit
yes but again, do NOT do it without talking to AOPA. they will advise you on how to report it and what documentation you will need to provide. if you do it without consulting legal help, you're likely to report it wrong and get deferred or denied. and it's cheap, so you have nothing to lose.
MoustachedMike@reddit
I donât think it would, just be honest and list it on your app. Then be prepared to explain what happened and what you learned from that experience when you go to interview.
I had a misdemeanor minor in possession of alcohol from college that got expunged. At my regional interview they briefly asked me about it and that was that. At my legacy interview they didnât even ask about it.
Be honest and reflective about your experience both on your app and in your interview and youâll be fine.
CaravanPirate@reddit
How did they even know about it; did you tell them?
ltcterry@reddit
I believe expunged is a state-level thing. Not federal. And itâs not really gone. Itâs just not used against you. But if you get in trouble again itâs used as part of your record as a repeat offender.Â
Itâs not as if the Men in Black have deleted its very existence, never to be seen, found, or discovered.
LRJetCowboy@reddit
Nothing personal but I wouldnât have hired you when that was my job. I made that mistake by giving a guy with an âexpungedâ non violent crime a second chance. Seemed like a good idea until he flew into Canada and was turned away with a plane load of people. Make sure to check with our friends to the north before you test their database which is more detailed than ours.
57thStilgar@reddit
No, it was removed. Nothing to disclose.
quarentineaccount202@reddit
Iâm not a lawyer and I recommend you consult one and not reddit. I have known people with similar stories to you and their lawyer told them to not mention it. If you donât mention an expunged criminal record then no one will find out. Itâs not discoverable. Thatâs the whole point. Let sleeping dogs lie. Donât shoot yourself in the foot.
rlbmxer27@reddit
Nah. I had something similar. Legacy CA now. Just be truthful about it
blackbeardair@reddit
no problem with it hindering your pilot aspirations
stall022@reddit
Got a misdemeanor for trespassing as well. The FAA doesn't care unless it's drugs, alcohol or mental illness. Make sure you put it on any job applications. I have seen guys pulled from classes and fired for not disclosing skeletons. When they ask you about it in the interview use it as a lesson learned experience. Also they may ask you for a certified copy of the report and expungement.
toshibathezombie@reddit
Well your next president is a convicted felon so don't let a lousy misdemeanor stop you!
DoomWad@reddit
Did it involve alcohol and driving? If not, you're good. Just disclose it on job applications.
djscreeling@reddit
Don't do this. As of 11/6/2024 there are 37 states that have Ban the Box laws, which means they aren't allowed to include that box about disclosing crimes. Of the 13 states that didn't outright ban it, most have laws about requiring the disclosure after an interview. And the states that don't have laws on anything and allow employers to treat employees however they see fit are states like Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, etc....
https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/
After yesterday, who knows how long this law will remain in effect.
OtterVA@reddit
Depends on the time period but Yes you'll probably need to disclose it. It shouldnât stop you providing that thereâs been a fair bit of time since the incident.
Yesthisisme50@reddit
Someone would still find out but it shouldnât stop you
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Plead No contest on a trespassing misdemeanor (originally a felony burglary on arrest but was dropped to trespassing a week later) but afterwards got my record expunged. Would I need to disclose this to the FAA and would it straight stop me from being a pilot?
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