Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

pretrial diversion

My son was arrested for shoplifting and is a pretrial diversion program. How should he answer questions when applying for a job? Alot of applications ask if you've been arrested, some ask if you've been through pretrial diversion. He won't be finished with the program for 5 months.


Asked on 9/08/08, 12:23 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Lewis Dunton Dunton Matthey, LLC

Re: pretrial diversion

Honesty is always the best policy. Being dishonest will almost assuredly result in his immediate termination (assuming he gets the job) once his fabrication is discovered (with the Internet, it will be). Further, he will not be able to list that employer as a reference when applying for his next job, which will raise flags in the future as to what he has been up to for the last �x period of time.� Can you see how this could spiral out of control?

The bottom line is: if they ask if he has been arrested, he should answer �yes.� If they ask if he has been �through� a diversion program, he should answer that he is currently in one. If your son �presents� well, he should be able to explain his unfortunate situation, what the experience has taught him, and the headache it caused him.

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Answered on 9/08/08, 5:16 pm
Valerie Masters Valerie Masters, P.A.

Re: pretrial diversion

Then you answer yes nsto the questions

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Answered on 9/08/08, 12:31 pm
William Gwaltney William W. Gwaltney, Attorneys at Law

Re: pretrial diversion

Always answer the application questions honestly....

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Answered on 9/08/08, 12:57 pm


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