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Singer is a Felon

#21
Technotitclan said:
Actually I happen to know that this is untrue as my wife is a substance abuse counselor and has seen people test positive from second hand. The equipment she uses gives actual numbers so they can tell if its second hand or first however they have to mark either pos or neg. There's no shades of grey when your on parole. Just an FYI.
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You are correct. But it is wholly contingent on the type of test being taken. Anything government related should/will pick up exposure to second hand smoke within about 30 days.

Ran into this a lot myself when I was younger; recruiters would try and get me into government tech jobs, but I always hung out with pot heads. Per the guidelines they give recruiters candidates need to have no exposure to any 420 smoke, for 30 days, period. I'd assume parole tests would be along similar lines, especially since the parolee is supposed to avoid contact with criminal elements/activities.
 
#22
tbz said:
You are correct. But it is wholly contingent on the type of test being taken. Anything government related should/will pick up exposure to second hand smoke within about 30 days.

Ran into this a lot myself when I was younger; recruiters would try and get me into government tech jobs, but I always hung out with pot heads. Per the guidelines they give recruiters candidates need to have no exposure to any 420 smoke, for 30 days, period. I'd assume parole tests would be along similar lines, especially since the parolee is supposed to avoid contact with criminal elements/activities.
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Yes.
 
#24
uOpt said:
The problem here is that although you can argue that the war on drugs is out of control even in the current environment you need to screw up pretty badly to actually do 5 behind bars and then get 16 on parole. This wasn't casual.
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This. You don't get 16 year probation for simple possession. This guy was clearly a serious manufacturer. If he tells you anything different, he's lying.

Personally, I wouldn't associate with a felon.
 
#25
Worked with a drummer back in the Jurassic Age, was always in trouble with the law for something or other. I remember the night he got busted for no license or registration on his panel truck. We were about to play a high school dance. The principal of the school was out on the loading dock when it happened. The principal looked at the cop, and the cop looked at the principal, and then at the drummer, and said "I could stand here and write you up all night." And closed his ticket book and walked away. A great moment in school/police public relations, and a very near call for us. Not long after, I left town. Always wondered what happened to him.
 
#26
My sister and her husband were friends with an "ex bank robber". They were positive he was rehabilitated, remorseful etc.. He is now back in jail.

We all have done things that could have landed us in jail at one time or another and we all make mistakes.

Personally I prefer to be involved with people who I don't have to second guess.

This wouldn't be my scene and I know that sounds cold on some levels.
 
#27
Well, I once didn't get a gig playing guitar because I was on probation for weed. The other band members heard that, and instantly thought that they'd get me in trouble with the PO. I still know the singer, he's a great guy. They probably did me a favor.

If you're not going to get them in trouble, then the question would be: Do you think they're going to get you or themselves in trouble? I've known many meth heads who were worthless, some who were normal people who had a stimulant problem, and at least one who was really just about the best in their field. The distribution really is about the same as the general populace.*

So, my advice would be: If you think you'd work with them without the criminal record, and you think everyone can deal with the complications it presents (e.g. they aren't using while on probation): go with them. Almost everyone's life is complicated in some way. If this problem is manageable, mange it.




*Disclaimer: I don't do meth myself, and will not associate with my sister unless required by legal obligations - partly due to her meth problem, but mostly because of how she dealt with her problem. Through her, I've met a good slice of the worst society has to offer. However, I've also known people who weren't her friends who had the same habit. I still consider a few of them close friends. And while they were sometimes hard to deal with, they weren't the horrible thieving, manipulating people my sister hung out with. Meth doesn't really make you someone you weren't before you took it.
 
#28
JoeWPgh said:
Given his history, I would be paranoid about the gigging environment. I'm all for giving people a 2nd shot, but given his legal woes and where most gigs are........
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I'd also be more than a little concerned about gear or other valuables disappearing. It's not always the person, but those they associate with...
 
#31
Toolmybass said:
Holy cow...5 years PLUS 16 years of parole?. Did he have a truck load of it or something?

AND they have music class in jail?..Sweet deal lol
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I have a relation doing hard time. He's a pianist and involved in all the music stuff. But they'll get shut down in a heartbeat if any hardware is missing, like off the drum kit—really good raw material for shivs.

As far as the OP's situation: keep a close eye on things and have a backup plan. This guy has a lot of obstacles to overcome, and you don't really know him that well yet.
 
#34
1) make sure his crime was NOT VIOLENT. You do not want to gig with someone who can't handle problems socially without fists. You could get rolled into a situation.

2) 16 years! The hell!? Is it even POSSIBLE to be on parole for that long and NOT violate it? That is hardcore.

3) Drugs. Does your audience do many? Mine sure does. Gigging is something you REALLY have to consider. Also, the fact that he has to be across state lines at a certain point, CAN he gig as late as you need?

Much to think about.
 

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