GooselessMoose's journey

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science this past May and have been actively searching for a software developer position. However, I’m feeling anxious about my criminal record, which stems from a serious incident during a psychotic episode three years ago where I stole a police car. I went through a lengthy legal process and ultimately pled to two misdemeanors, resulting in probation. Thankfully, I've been stable since then and have completed my probation without issues. Recently, I had a second-round interview for a developer role and mentioned my background, thinking it was important to be upfront. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the next round, which has left me questioning my approach. I’m unsure whether to bring up my past at all in future interviews or let it come up during background checks. I’ve received some advice suggesting I should keep it to myself until the background check stage, as it may only show the misdemeanors, not the original felony charge. However, I’m also considering consulting with an employment lawyer to understand what exactly would appear on a background check in my state. I want to be honest but also strategic about how I present my past. Any insights on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.