Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

Re: from arrest to police officer

It depends on the type of misdemeanor and, of course, the police department. If, for example, the misdemeanor was a conviction for domestic assault or other crime involving domestic violence, federal law bars the convicted person from possessing a firearm, which would of course be a bar to being a police officer.

Some misdemeanors are serious and are considered crimes involving "moral turpidude," such as petty theft or sexual misconduct. In contrast, something like a DWI, disorderly conduct, or simple assault (non-family) may be overlooked, depending on how long ago the incident occurred and the applicant's behavior since.