All I have is an opinion, but a misdemeanor for petty shoplifting as a juvenile doesn't sound like something that will cause a problem.  If you can be a bit more specific about what you mean by "covered", perhaps someone like Bill Singer can give you a more qualified opinion than mine.  Was your record expunged?

If I were in your shoes, I would be very forthcoming about the issue.  Mentioning that you had a juvenile misdemeanor that was expunged(?) and to your knowledge doesn't even show on your record, shouldn't cause too much heartburn.  The worst thing you can do is to get caught trying to hide it...then you prospective employer will wonder what else you're trying to hide.  Many of us did stupid things as juveniles.  That's why they call it acting like a juvenile.

Apply to a firm you have no interest in and see what comes up.  That way there won’t be any question as to who-sees-what.

[quote=FreedomLvr]Apply to a firm you have no interest in and see what comes up.  That way there won’t be any question as to who-sees-what.[/quote]

Interesting concept, but what if one firm does more thorough due diligence than another?

As far as I know and please don’t quote me but SB, ML, MS and UBS will not hire you. They will proceed with the interview process but will politely stop as soon as they view the disclosure on your U4 form. One of my good friends is a Manger at Ameriprise and they pretty much take anyone (misdemeanors, bankruptcies, felonies). Pretty sad really.



Which office did you work out of? Were you an FA or at the Managerial level and what is the main cause of leaving? Did you already get a current copy of your U4?

You may want to join Johnny WADred at WR. Evidentally, they’ll take anyone.

Good point but I think youyoume wants to make a step up from Ameriprise not take a step down which WR would definitely be.

A felony I understand…but a misdemeanor…and a juvenile one at that…I guess I’m surprised that most firms would give such an offense much weight…

I know a guy who applied to ML as in intern and got shunned because of a misdemeanor that happened when he was a juvenile. It’s tough these days to get your foot in the door to some of these firms and that’s with no ‘record’ at all.

Don't lie, don't cover it up! Getting caught would prove you haven't learned anything and would instantly disqualify you.

Indy has it right. Tell'em the truth and let the cards fall where they may. If by chance you end up against a jerk BOM who says it's a problem, move on to another branch and another interview. Doing it this way will cost you zero sleepless nights and enable you to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day. If it costs you in an interview or two, screw'em, their loss. I doubt it will cost you though.

Good luck!

The biggest black mark on your resume will be that you worked at Ameriprise.

The key to this question is your age.  I am 99% sure that all juvenile records are erased when you reach 18… Unless you are tried as an adult. 

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**** I was tried as an adult, only because in my state, at the age of 17… you are considered an adult.

But the petty shoplifting was only worth $70.  STUPID STUPID mistake I made when I was young.

BUt I mean “covered”… as in the case is sealed.  I don’t know if it’s completely expunged though.

How STRICT is UBS and their background check? I don’t really care for ML at this point. I rather have the job at UBS.

Also, I’ve only checked my own records under BrokerCheck.  I don’t know if the EXACT things are on a U-4.  But I don’t have any regulations or compliance issues.  So my U-4 is clear.

It’s just this misdemeanor case… but is “sealed”

I think you should contact competent legal counsel, and I’d lean towards

coming clean about the matter. I know that’s not what you’d like to hear,

and I certainly agree that it shouldn’t be a factor…but I’m not the one who

makes that kind of decision. However, I’d personally hate to see you get on

with a top notch firm only to have it all blow up 6 months later.



I hope it plays out in your favor!

Just wondering… how does most top notch investment firms… like ML, MS, UBS, Charles S, etc…

How do they do their background checking??.. Do they do computer research? Or do they through checking by getting fingerprints and go from there?

Or … do they directly call the police department of counties?

What are their methods of doing this?

How can your U4 be ‘clear’ when you have to answer “yes” to the following:



"Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or “nolo contendre” to, any misdemeanor involving: dishonesty, breach of trust, investments, an investment-related business, fraud, false statements, omissions, wrongful taking of property, embezzlement, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or a conspiracy to commit any of these offenses?”



Obviously you have so that means you now have a disclosure on your U4 which in my opinion and in the opinion of my buds at UBS and ML will not get you in the door.

Whether or not your youthful indescretion would inhibit your ability to get hired, I don’t like the fact at all that you’re trying to hide the issue.  That’s just wrong.  If you insist on hiding your past, I hope it bites you in the @ss.

[quote=rrbdlawyer]

As I suspected, your “explanation” of your criminal record is not only flawed but you may well have made a materially false filing on any U4 or proprietary employment application if you did not disclose the charge and the conviction.  Again, let me stress that clearly, if you intentionally failed to disclose your criminal history you may well have engaged in conduct for which a statutory disqualification is imposed (wilful mistatement on a filing) — moreover, the underlying misdeameanor may also constitute a separate disqualification.

Word to the wise, your queries give your intent away.  You seem intent on hiding your history in the hope that it will not be discovered. You are not only wrong but, with all due respect, foolish.

I agree, there is more to this story.

Imagine Ameriprise hiring such high quality people.