As he searches for a new job, South Los Angeles resident Rogelio Martinez dreads the box he is routinely asked to check on application forms: Has he ever been convicted of a crime?
Martinez, 44, says he has kicked his drug habit. He has a mortgage, a family and a closet full of crisp shirts and ties. And he has years of work experience helping attorneys file their court documents.
But that doesn’t matter to a new employer who only sees his criminal record. “I made a mistake when I was young. I’ve changed since then,” said Martinez. He said he has past convictions for selling marijuana and for grand theft, the latter of which he denies committing. “Give me a chance to perform. ”
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