Expert: Jim Pastore - 2/6/2009

Question
I had an accident 5 years ago that was a one vehicle accident, I registered .009 so I got an owi but I got a felony because my friend got minor injuries.  I have since changed my life and want to be a crime scene investigator, I am enrolled to start in two weeks.  I just moved to Ohio and have looked up whether it was possible on the Internet, some sites say there is a way, other's say not a chance.  Is there any possibility and if not are there any type of jobs in law enforcement I can work for?

Answer
Tiffany,

   I'm not real sure what your asking about the Internet? If you mean taking classes on the Internet, I'd say that is something you should take at a university as a criminal justice major. Also most Departments in Ohio that I know of pick their CSI from the patrol ranks. In Florida it's just the opposite, the CSI are mainly civilian employees. You could check to be sure about Ohio, it may have changed since I was there.

   You could also attempt getting your record expunged in order to get the felony off your record. You would have to seek the advise of an Attorney to see if that's possible. You can also try for a dispatching job. As for any type of Police career you would not be eligible with a felony conviction. I hope this helped somewhat.

Jim