Law to help convicted felons get jobs goes unnoticed

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – There’s a law that took effect last summer to help convicted felons get jobs. But when a convicted mom of two children attempted to use that law to help increase her chance to get employed, no one appears to know how to help her because they don’t know about the "Certificate of Employability."

Taquelia Johnson, 32 of Chattanooga is a convicted felon who is running into roadblocks every time she applies for a job. She said a recent job interview went sour when an employer found out she had a criminal record.

"Once she found out I was a convicted felon, she said ok. What was the charge and I told her what the charge was and she said I’m sorry but we can’t hire you," Johnson said.

The charge was reckless aggravated assault. According to the arrest affidavit, Johnson walked in on a man whom she said was in the act of molesting her toddler. So she beat the man so badly that he required medical attention at Erlanger.

Johnson pled guilty to the charge and was given a 2-year suspended prison sentence and two years of probation.

Hoping to increase her odds of getting a job, she tried filling out a certificate of employability for a judge to sign off on. But there’s a problem.

"The Career center; all those places that supposed to be able to help; no one knows about this bill. No one know about this law," she said.

WDEF called Hamilton County criminal court officials and they were not aware of it; even though it’s a law that took effect last July.

The law allows a criminal judge to act as a character reference for ex-cons seeking employment. Convicted felons who have paid their debt to society can fill out the form for a criminal judge to review before signing off on it. But no court officials seems to know how to get the process rolling.

"One lady at the resource center actually called a lawyer and that person didn’t know about it so I don’t understand," Johnson said.

WDEF hit the streets to ask the average Joe if they know about or have heard of the Certificate of Employability. Not one person answered yes.

WDEF also called several employment agencies in Chattanooga and they were not aware of the certificate law either.

In the mean time, Johnson says she will continue looking for employment and is fully aware that without that certificate, getting her foot in the door of a company will be difficult.