Need help please!

[bigbobmegadeth]

Hi guys,

I just recently applied to move to a new apartment complex and they do a background check for every applicant. I had no problem filling out the paper work because I have nothing on my record other than a few traffic tickets. I just got off the phone with the leasing agent and she said I was declined due to a "criminal weapons charge from 2005" I immediately explained that this must be mistake and that they need to double check my social security number and information but she explained that there was a birthdate match and seemed adamant that there was no mistake.

I am hoping it is simply a clerical error since I bought a firearm earlier this year and I would assume that any type of weapons charge on my record would prevent me from owning a firearm.

I'm at a loss and very confused right now about what to do. I even applied to the riverside county sheriff's department back in 2006 and made it all the way through the application process without any hang ups, I declined because they wanted me to work as a correctional deputy.

Please if anyone is able to help or give advice feel free to contact me via pm or email.

Thank you all very much.

Gavin

ice_dude33@yahoo.com

[Ron-Solo]

Ask her for a case number or a contact for the company that did the background check.

And the correctional deputy position in Riverside pays well, has good benefits, is a 'safety' retirement position, andd can be a good stepping stone to patrol deputy. I know a few people that got started that way.

[TheExpertish]

Ask her for a case number or a contact for the company that did the background check.

And the correctional deputy position in Riverside pays well, has good benefits, is a 'safety' retirement position, andd can be a good stepping stone to patrol deputy. I know a few people that got started that way.

I agree with Ron on both counts. The info on who did the digging should be able to be made available to you. Also, leasing agents have supervisors. Might need to take it to the next level.

On the second point, if you don't think law enforcement is really for you then fine. If not, then shame on you for passing up a foot in the door when you had it. Every one of my academy mates that went with RSO all started out in corrections, and most went patrol in 6-18 months. Some even went back to corrections.

[Notorious]

Go to your local police department and ask to get your fingerprints livescan'ed and sent to DOJ along with your application for your Criminal History Statement (CHS) and $25 fee. DOJ then sends you a copy of your entire criminal history on file.

Double check that to make sure you aren't taking the rap (so to speak) for someone else by mistake or because someone stole your identity and got busted for it. I've seen it twice in the last 3 years where this has happened already. Two in 3 years might not sound like much until you are one of those two people affected.

[bigbobmegadeth]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to making some calls today to dig a little more.

As for the position, I realized that it wasn't right for me at the time. Maybe some day in the future.

[bigbobmegadeth]

Quick update. I spoke with a criminal defense attorney and she pretty much told me the exact same thing you guys did. So I did the livescan and criminal history request this morning at the local PD office. I also filed a reinvestigation request with the reporting agency. Of course there is about a 2 week lead time on both of these.

Also I pushed the leasing agent for a little more information and she asked me if I'd ever lived in Lancaster, which I haven't, nor have I even been to Lancaster. She wouldn't give me a case number though which is frustrating because it was on the report that was right in front of her.

I'm really hoping that the charge doesn't come up on the report from the DOJ. If it does I'm not sure where to go from there, guess I'll have to pay a visit to the precinct where the crime was committed.

If it doesn't show up on the report from DOJ I just simply have to show the report to the background check agency and life is peachy again. Or thats what I assume.

Sigh...

Thank you guys again for the help. I'll post an update in the coming weeks for the possible benefit of future misidentified criminals.

[JJ_]

Since you were denied I believe the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act as well as California’s version would cover you in this case. You have the right to review any reports used that disqualified you including background checks. They must provide you with the name and contact information of any company they used and how you can obtain a copy of said report.