I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this question but I have a single violent felony (class c) and two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment of another on my criminal record. It will be eligible for expungement in late 2027; meaning until then any criminal background check ran on me will come back with a these convictions.

I already have a bs in psychology and have spent the last decade working in patient care. I have strong interests in both neuroscience and chemistry and pursuing formal graduate education has always been my goal. I’m thinking a second bachelors and then master’s program; the time it would take to complete this (~4 years) would be close to the time I’m eligible to have my criminal record expunged.

My question is broad, but will having this on my record stop me from gaining entrance to program’s? Or will I be given the opportunity to explain and, more importantly, will that actually matter? Can I attend with this on my record?

I am a competitive applicant and have no other criminal history. I’m 33 and had a serious mental breakdown after my wife suddenly divorced me a year ago. I used a lot of drugs in attempt to cope with the emotional pain and the combination of severe depression and extreme drug use led to an acute psychotic episode (the first and only of my life). I was convinced someone was trying to kill me and thought I was in a self defense situation, in fear for my life. I discharged my firearm in a residential neighborhood in the above scenario and multiple bullets entered someone’s home. Fortunately nobody was physically harmed, though all are traumatized by the experience. I went to jail, bailed myself out and voluntarily sought treatment at the local hospital where I was admitted to the psychiatric unit for 3 weeks. I took a plea deal for 36 months supervised probation. I am again stable and employed, looking towards the future.

I shared all of that for context and to emphasize that I am not a career criminal. I actually was a rather well respected mental health prover in the community prior to this event. I have complied with, and continue to comply with, all requirements of probation and am fully engaged in mental health treatment.

I know gaining employment will be difficult if not impossible with the convictions so I would petition for expungement when eligible.