Criminal record and academic career?

[Moonbear]

I would do anything in my power to get a pardon as already mentioned. Employers do not want to be involved with a criminal, which is exactly what they will view you as.

I had an uncle who was an engineer with a criminal record for abusing his wife. He worked as a technician most of his life making >16/hr. I don't know how well he's off now, but I know he's single and lives on the first floor of a crappy apartment.

There's a big difference between a criminal record for a violent crime such as assaulting someone (beating your wife) and a criminal record for a non-violent crime such as being young, drunk and stupid (DUI).