Hey guys. Wondering about C.A DMV and Criminal backgrounds. Has anybody else had a brush in with the law (felony or minor offence) and still got Ambulance Cert. I was Approved by NREMT and was Licensed by C.A state EMS office. Just getting ready to fight the DMV. I do not have any driving offences, NO DUIs or anything related. Just took some stuff that did not belong to me over 7 years ago (was charged with Burglary at the age of 19) Just wanted to get some tips and what to expect.
Thanks
-Jonathan R
State licensed me with 3 years probation and did an intensive interrogation on me, NREMT did the same. I was wondering if I'd have to get filtered by the DMV as well. Being that NREMT and State did that already. So it kind feels like a fight to me.
This stuff that I have highlighted are a couple things that stood out to me. I doubt you'll have any major issue with the DMV. It sounds to me like you're a new EMT that's getting ready to apply for a first job in this field. As long as you stay out of trouble, you should be OK after the 3 year probation period is over. Make sure you know exactly what's considered a violation of that probation period as you won't get a second chance. Once you get your Ambulance Driving Cert, you should start driving your own car like the proverbial granny because your personal driving habits/tickets/etc will have an effect upon your ability to drive ambulances. The DMV will pull your ADL before they'll suspend your regular DL.
Now then, the fact that you were charged with Burglary (usually a Felony) is something that is going to follow you for the rest of your life, even if you were not convicted of that charge. Many entities are going to want dispositions of that charge. Make sure you have documentation of the disposition of your case, especially if the charge was reduced, dropped, or you plead guilty/no contest to a lesser charge. If I'm interviewing you and asked you about previous criminal history and you replied to me as you did above, you just told me that you haven't changed your attitude much and I wouldn't be hiring you. This is because you are attempting to minimize what happened in the past. You also didn't say what your conviction was, just that you were "charged" with Burglary. You want a job? Don't minimize, don't play a victim. You're not a victim of anything except what you did. You committed a crime. You're an adult, you take responsibility for what you did.
If you told me you were convicted of Burglary at 19, did your time, stayed out of trouble/changed your circumstances, and fought to get an EMT cert, I would see that as someone that's an adult, responsible, and perhaps worthy of a chance.
One of my past EMT partners (one of the best I'd ever had) was a man who was convicted of a felony, kept his nose clean after doing his time, and demonstrated every day that he was worthy of the trust he'd earned. Perhaps he'd be a great medic, if he is ever allowed to earn that license as he's an excellent example of someone able to overcome his past.
