Petty misdemeanor and the future or my career with a major/fractional
 

Just wondering how much a class b misdemeanor will hamper the rest of my career post-regional (majors or fractional). I have ZERO other criminal record...not even a speeding ticket in the last 4 years. I have not been to court yet but the charge is not alcohol, drug, traffic or violence related...just a stupid petty misdemeanor during a moment of irresponsibility. Just wondering what effect it will have on my career should I be convicted....has anyone experienced this or know of anyone that has? I'm sure I'm not the only pilot in the industry with a petty misdemeanor but I dont want it holding back my career....

For those wondering the charge is for issuing a check without funds. I just returned from training for my current regional job and while I was gone for that two months the agency mailed me a notice on October 3rd that I had ten days to make payment or they would press charges. Well, I received that letter earlier this week, as well as a notice of warrant from the local county sherriff and two letters from my bank (I have two accounts and rarely use the one in question) This is NOT typical of me as I am usually very responsible, however as I mentioned I am aware its my own stupid fault for not having my mail forwarded and I take responsobility for that. I received both letters late Saturday night and plan to contact the county sherriff and a lawyer first thing in the morning to see what my options are. Hopefully under the circumstances I wont be facing a misdemeanor and can simply make restitution. I wrote the check, I'll pay the check and take full resposibility I just dont want this haunting me for years. It was nothing but an honest mistake...

Probably a bigger deal than a non driving alcohol offense. Many Majors pull credit reports now and while completely understandable it may get you filtered before you get the chance to explain.

I would get a lawyer and do whatever you can to get that offense removed from your record. Not the end of the world by any stretch, by why chance it ?

flyingsioux:

Frankly, If it is exactly as you say, I don't think it will be a big deal for an airline. Unfortunately, it is in the recent and not distant past.

A word of advice.

Remember, you have been charged with an offense, and it is not a felony. Felonys are very bad. Lot's of people have misdemeanors for a variety of stuff. I had one for an altercation in College.

I think the biggest thing to be prepared for is that the prosecutor will likely try to get you to plead guilty, and then let you walk away. They will act like they are trying to help you, but the reality is they just want to have another successful conviction on their record. This is the dark side of how prosecutors operate. They try to tally up convictions like pilots tally up hours, and then one day, they are appointed or elected a judge based on all those convictions. (Remember the Duke Rape Case). Do not plead guilty. Explain the situation to the judge, as you did to us, and be prepared to pay the debt. Check in hand. The worst that can happen is he/she finds you guilty and then you are in no worst a situation than if you plead guilty right off. Of course consult with a reputable lawyer beforehand. I'm advising you based on my experience, but obviously I am no lawyer.

I don't know where you are in your career, but again, when I told my current company (xjt) about my past misdemeanor...they just shrugged their shoulders.

Best or Luck!

Onfinal

Change Banks
 

You will beat it if that is all there is to your money history, you have been treated bad by your bank unless the check was big. See if your bank will use a bank credit card to back up your checking account.

Get an Attorney no matter how much it costs.

Don't give any airline interviewer anything to jump on.

Best of luck

Keep all your paperwork that you paid the bill....it will at least give them something to talk about in the interview and they will see how you handled the event...will show you make things right. Not sure if it will keep you from being called for the interview. DUI's are the tough ones.

Get a GOOD lawyer...do it today. Settle the debt...give a letter of apology to the party that you issues the check to..do anything that you can before the court date...You can`t un-ring the bell....

Get a lawyer, NOW! Make sure he understands how imporant it is for this not to blemish your record. DO NOT write or call with ANY sort of apology, it could be taken as an admission of guilt. Let a lawyer handle it, my guess is he will be able to get the charges dropped.

All that said, assuming you have started the facts exactly as they are, I doubt even if it goes on your record it'll be too much of an issue.

This is NOT a big deal, if it is as you say (ie no more to the story that you haven't mentioned). Remember, the "agency" only wants their money, not the hassle of other things. One thing that you didn't mention is the amount of the check. THAT is a factor as well.

Remember, you haven't been CHARGED with anything--- you can't be charged through the mail. There may be an arrest warrant out for you though... DO NOT contact the sheriff just to be safe. Contact a local attorney first.

Think "What would Bill Clinton do?"

DO -- Contact a local lawyer.
DO -- Keep SILENT (ie do not speak with anyone but said lawyer above) By talking to anyone else, you are only hurting your chances of getting this COMPLETELY erased.
DO NOT --- Contact the sheriff
DO NOT --- Contact the bank
DO NOT --- Offer ANY sort of apology etc.
DO -- CHANGE BANKS; Many banks offer programs to keep you from getting into this situation. Your current bank sucks if they don't offer overdraft protection.

This is not a big deal (I guess depending on your state -- California no big deal; Virginia or Texas, maybe a bigger deal) Remember they only want their money... an attorney can make deals for you (remember, get one locally).

This will go away. An unintentional mistake is NOT a crime.

Best advice I have ever read on any forum. Just don't hit on the lawyer. Something else clinton would do.