Two questions.

[Lindarising]

Hello. I have two questions. First, I have no criminal record at all. I have never been arrested. I'm 36 years old. Several years ago, I developed a rare illness for which some incompetent doctor recommend I go for "counseling" in case the illness was "psychosomatic"...later tests proved that my condition is very real and not psychosomatic. My parents whom I was living with followed this doctor's "advice" and had me committed for one week to a psychiatric ward by saying that I was "suicidal" which I was not. The only "diagnosis" they could come up with was "hypochondria" (later I finally had a competent Physical medical diagnosis of my condition, but not at that time, and it was a real and actual physical, not mental, disease). The psychiatric ward released me but they made me sign a paper which stated that I could thenceforth never own a weapon of any sort, not even for self-protection in my own home! All because of some law passed which disallows people who have ever been in a "psychiatric ward" to carry a weapon. What can be done about this? And secondly, I do know someone with a felony backround who is having a very difficult time finding employment. Can people be refused employment because of a felony backround? How are those people supposed to support themselves if they are denied employment? Are there any agencies who help ex-convicts find work? Thank you.

 

[NYClex]

First: It depends on the law in your state and on what you signed there. It could be tough to fight that.

Second: Good question. I always wonder how people want to prevent that ex-convicts commit crimes again when they deny them any chance of honest employment. But there is no law against that.

There are some provisions depending on state law that records can be expunged and then you would not need to tell your prospective employer about your conviction.