Expert: William Payne - 6/29/2008

Question
Dear Mr. Payne,
Good Morning I am a 20 yr old male U.S. Marine with excatly 3 yrs. left on my contract. I am a 3531 motor transportation operator. I am attending college while serving active duty and plane on getting my associates degree beofre i get out in 2011. Since i was 14 or 15 i have had my fair share with dealing with the police... ( all in the state of New Jersey)
I am aware that I was not the most up holding citizen when I was younger but when I was a junior and a senior in high school i was attending a Vocational School for law enforcment and also attend a week long summer program that taught kids about law enfrocment. both i have a certificate for
I am intrested in getting into a big city P.D. NYPD, LAPD, Miami P.D. Dallas PD. etc... when i get out of the Marine Corps in 3 years. How do you think my previous incidents will affect my chances? and will getting out of the military with a honorable discharge help me?

-14 yrs old: poession of 1 gram marijuana, went to juvy court ( held in my high school)
punishment: attend 10 N.A. meetings (no finger prints taken)
-15 yrs old: public urination citation
punishment: 250$ fine (just recieved a ticket)
-16 yrs old simple assault charge
punishment: attend Scared Straight at Monmouth County Correctional Facility and wrote a letter to the victims parents
-17 yrs old:  charged with poession with intent to distrubit marijuana (had 10 grams on me)
punishment: $1,000 fine, 30 hrs of community service pled guilty to poession ( i do not believe i pled guilty to  poession with intent)
-18 yrs old: found out i had a minor traffic warrent and turned my self in the day i found out
-18 yrs old: was not aware i had a differnt traffic warrent and was arrested but bailed my self out that night

Answer
Jon,

Thanks for the question, and thank you for your service to our country.

I know a lot of police officers that have criminal backgrounds in their juvenile years.

If you have stayed clean and are honorably serving your country. I really see no problem with you pursuing a career in law enforcement. Your juvenile records will be sealed unless you waive your rights to unseal them.

You are only 2-3 years removed from some of your past troubles, so I would concentrate of your education and keep yourself out of any trouble.

Good luck and best wishes!