Can I be a Security Officer in Virginia with a felony or arrest on my record?

Yes. Definitely.

In general, a person is eligible to work as a Security Guard (Officer) with a prior a felony conviction in Virginia State.

The Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) in Virginia, makes the determination if an individual is eligible or not. Before you apply, it is ideal that you take steps to clear your record through a pardon and restoration or rights through DCJS.

As per the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virgina State) Website, here is the Criteria used for restoring the rights of a person with a prior criminal record.

Criteria for Restoration of Rights for Non-Violent Offenders:

• Have been convicted of a non-violent felony in a Virginia court or a U.S. District Court
• Have completed serving the prison sentence and been released from supervised probation or parole
• Have no pending felony charges.

Criteria for Restoration of Rights for Violent/More Serious Offenders:

In order to be eligible for restoration of rights by the Governor, an applicant who has been convicted of a violent felony must:

• Have been convicted of a violent or more serious felony in a Virginia court or a U.S. District Court
• Be free from any sentence served and/or supervised probation and parole for a minimum of three years.
• Not have any felony convictions in the three years immediately preceding the application and/or pending criminal charges.

When you apply for your Unarmed Security Officer registration in Virginia, if you are an individual who was ever convicted or found guilty of a felony (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other US state, you must submit a Virginia Criminal History Supplemental Form.

A pardon in Virginia relieves an ex-felon from further punishment imposed by reason of a conviction of a criminal offense.

A restoration of rights in Virginia will restore the rights to vote, sit on a jury, hold public office, serve as a notary public and obtain a job, including Security Guard job.

In Virginia state, a pardon constitutes forgiveness and paves the way for person with a criminal record to advance in employment and education. After a person gets a pardon from Virginia, the information about a their arrest or other charges is removed from the version of the rap sheet that will be sent to their employers and others.

As a condition for a simple pardon, the person, must satisfy all the conditions set by the court for a period of five years. If any felony was involved, the person must have petitioned and been granted a restoration of rights before applying for the pardon.

If you have a criminal background, when you apply for a job in a security guard company, if it is a larger company, then talk to the company’s compliance agent. The compliance agent will be able to discuss the matter with you and file the proper paperwork with the DCJS to determine your employment eligibility. Otherwise, you can include a Virginia Criminal History Supplemental Form along with your application for registration as a security officer in Virginia.

How to apply for Restoration of Rights in Virginia

In the commonwealth of Virginia, if you are convicted of a a non-violent crime and are currently incarcerated under the Department of Corrections or on a supervised probation, then you need not apply for Restoration of Rights. The Virginia Department of Corrections will report monthly the list persons who may qualify for Restoration of Rights. Those who qualifies based on the criteria will receive a letter and grant order to either their last known address or their home plan address if their rights are restored.

If you have had a non-violent felony conviction and your rights were not restored to date, you can apply for Restoration of Rights by sumitting your application through regular mail or through the on-line form.

• Use this link for accessing the Virginia Restoration of Rights on-line Application form.
  
• If you like to submit your Restoration of Rights application through regular mail then using this link, you can download the Virginia Restoration of Rights Application form, which you can complete and submit through regular mail.