Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
Three Keys To Establishing An Alibi In A Criminal Case
Michelle Garrett
When you are accused of a crime, the key to your defense will be to show that that you didn't have motive, means, or opportunity to commit the crime. Poking holes in the police or prosecution's theories about any one of these key details should be enough to make a solid case for your defense. When you are trying to establish an alibi, the following three keys will help.
Witnesses
Eye witness testimony is usually the first step in establishing your whereabouts. The more witnesses you have to say that you were somewhere other than where a crime was committed the better. The problem with witnesses is that tracking them down can be difficult. Criminal attorneys chase down witnesses all the time, should be able to help find them to help build your case. Moreover, a lawyer will know how to prepare witnesses for a court case.
Tickets and Videos
Eyewitnesses are important, but sometimes they are not available or are impossible to track down. The next step to establishing an alibi should be to produce any tickets, stamps, parking vouchers, receipts, or other items that can show you were in a certain locations. If you have video footage from an airport, traffic cam, restaurant, or other location to back up what your documents show, you have a solid case for showing where you were. Video footage with a time and date stamp is best for establishing a timeline.
GPS Data
Smartphones are equipped with GPS features which can help put a location stamp on pictures, help you find services in your area, etc. While these features are useful in navigating your world, they can also help to provide an alibi. If your phone's manufacturers or your service provider keeps records of GPS data, you can request access to this data to establish your whereabouts. In some cases, your GPS data can provide a detailed map of your movements during a day and will to show exactly where you were, even if there is no other information to establish your location.
Being accused of a crime can be scary. If you are accused, then police or prosecutors have some reason to believe you may have been involved. However, just because there is some evidence pointing in your direction does not mean that you are going to jail. While you might not know what steps to take to build a defense, a good lawyer will know how to establish and alibi and otherwise make a solid case for your defense.
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I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.