Hello Lori, my name is David. In 1997 I was convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter. On July 6th 2011 I was granted a Certificate of Relief of Dissabilities. I had been working on a nursing degree when I was faced with the awful question " have you ever been convicted of a felony?". The New York State Board of Licensure told me that I needed to get this certificate. The certificate is posted to my file so that when someone does a backgroung check they see that according to the same judge that sentenced me 15 years ago I have been rehabilitated. All of my rights have been restored. The only thing I am not allowed to do is run for office. Since 1997 I have done many positive things. I have earned a degree from I.T.T Technical Institute. Started two businesses from the ground up. The one thing though that struck me as the career I would most like to pursue is airline pilot. I am an extremely motivated person and when I put my mind to something I always reach my goals. If I were to put myself through pilot training do you think I would get hired?

 

The application question is: "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

How will you answer that?

 

I would be required to answer yes. It would be at that time that I would produce the cetificate.