They asked for more documents...

[dieharddano24]

...so I sent them...then nothing. There is no shortage of posts describing people's schedules and lengthy delays, but I have yet to see one that detailed the situation when you are "asked for more documents". So, here's my story:

I was arrested in 2007 on a felony charge. The charge was eventually NOL PROSSE (not prosecuted, dropped). A month and a half ago, I got a letter in the mail asking for official disposition information on my arrest. The reason I didn't send in my official disposition with my application was because I assumed the TX DPS would be able to see the official disposition through the NCIS background check. The information is definetly there - but apparently, they didn't see it for some unknown reason. I have had federal background checks done COUNTLESS times since 2007 for firearms purchases. I'm even one of the 63 people on the face of the planet with a federal UPIN (I'm exaggerating the number). When she asked for the disposition, I sent a web printed copy of the clerk's court minutes from the clerk of court website where the arrest took place. I also sent them copies of federal background checks done since 2007, my UPIN approval letter from the FBI which says in bold letters "We have determined that you are eligible to purchase and/or possess firearms", copies of my federal fingerprint submissions, and even my voter registration card (8 pages total) all just to prove that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am eligible for a CHL and not a felon. Like I said, that was over 30 days ago. I haven't heard a word since that time and according to the law they now have an additional 180 days to evaluate my application from the time they received the paperwork. I know that time frame to be just over 30 days now because I called DPS and "Judy" said "Yes - I received his fax - all 8 pages of it". It would actually take more like 6 minutes instead of 6 months to verify that I'm not a felon or ineligible to have a CHL with all the paperwork I sent in, but whatever - It's obviously out of my hands and there is nothing I can do about it. I guess I should receive it by September or so.

CHL class - 2/3
Online application/payment 2-4
Packet mailed - 2/4
Fingerprints taken - 2/11
Status updated to "Received" - 3/21
Background check started - 3/22
Received letter in the mail from DPS - 4/1
Faxed in requested paperwork - 4/2

[MamaK]

that sounds incredibly frustrating. I wonder if their reason for asking you is more of a gauge of your behavior and character, than a lack of being able to "see" the report. Life isn't always linear, and few people seem to be blessed enough to grow up in a "Leave it to Beaver" type of household; people make boneheaded mistakes, for some it's habitual, for some it's a one time thing,and for others it's situational. (like curfew laws)

I'm betting that was a horrible experience to go through, and it probably drums up some negative feelings. Try to remain positive, there are some truly wonderful people behind the scenes at DPS, and I doubt they will drag you out till September. Have faith.

[RogueUSMC]

I finally got someone who could do something on the phone yesterday at DPS (I think the folks that answer usually are looking at the same thing you are online).

Terri was very helpful and said that my background check was flagged, that's why it is taking so long.

I said, "what's it flagged for?"
She said, "it was the 2001 arrest you disclosed"
I said, "so, it wasn't something else then?"
She said, "no, it was the DUI arrest in 2001 that you disclosed"
I said, "DUI?!?!..NONONONONO!"
She said, "that's what Nacogdoches county reported to the state"
I said, "I need to call Nacogdoches...they need to straighten this out"

Anyway, my liscense is in printing now thanks to Terri.

Goes to show you never know what is on you record for sure...lol

[bizarrenormality]

After talking with a lawyer friend, I can understand why DPS wants the disposition documents. He claims there are more than a few people in prison for violent felonies who are not in the computer records, because they were convicted in counties that don't do a great job of sending those records to the state. I haven't verified this independently, so I won't name specific counties, but he's usually a credible source.

[powerboatr]

I feel your pain
I received a letter last monday asking for disposition of an arrest
one would think if they saw the arrest, they also saw it was dismissed, almost the same day.

but nope
i called and stated the online renewal only asked if i was convicted, not arrested. You do know there is a HUGE difference
one your guilty, and the other your innocent until proven guilty or its dismissed
the dps person said just send in what you have thank you

then i was thinking yesterday....
my government clearance was recently updated to reflect my status and they never said a word about the arrest in 2010...guess someone in the scheme of things can read.

[pete7469]

I got a letter just like that. I got the docs together and dropped them off at their office around May 29th. Looking forward to seeing the timeframe they resolve your issue.

[RX8er]

I can understand your frustration with DPS when it falls in their lap for being slower than normal but this is not their fault and rests solely in your lap. You did not follow the directions of the application and yes, they now have a long time to complete it. Unless I missed something in your post, you didn't have a special circumstance and a reason not to submit certified copies of the disposition. Because you thought DPS has them on file is not a listed on the application.

*If YES, please fill out and attach Supplement CHL-78C

Indicate all criminal history information, regardless of the amount of time that has passed or in which state the offense occurred. Include juvenile cases,
any assaults of any level and disposition in court, all charges that were dismissed, deferred adjudications and all pending charges, whether or not you
believe these are disqualifying.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (REQUIRED WITH THIS APPLICATION)
I understand that I must submit certified copies of all judgments and charging instruments from the courts or a record search indicating no
record was found, for each Criminal History item listed above. Failure to report an arrest or conviction may result in denial or revocation of a
license based solely on the material misstatement of fact in this application.

[JALLEN]

If they are asking for certified copies, copies printed off a website won't do. You need the clerk of the court to print the record in that case, certify it, and send that, with the court seal etc. It'll cost ya, but that's what is required as I read the form.

Forgery has gotten to be such an art form these days. In Los Angeles County, (yes I know!) forgery of conveyances have gotten so commonplace that years ago they started requiring thumbprints of signers on deeds and trust deeds to be recorded. I handled many million of dollars worth of forgery claims for the title companies, and even uncovered a criminal ring operating in one company where company employees were being bribed with drugs to pass forged documents, among other things.

Any high school sophomore with a mind to do so can probably gin up a creditable letter from the President claiming just about anything imaginable, and let's not forget his birth certificate.

[powerboatr]

i sent in a photocopy of a cert copy
plus thanks to a member here i sent it via email as well
got my plastic last week

but i to am still curious if they can see the arrest via ncis checks, why cant they see its disposition, especially if its been thrown out or dropped
weird

[jadm1967]

I was arrested and the final disposition was NOLE PROSSE. I did not wait until they asked me I sent it along with everything else I knew they would ask , (that was 4/8/13) and today I checked my status and it says MAILED !!!!!! Never assume, always send in whatever document you think might hinder or delay your application process.

I know it could be frustrating but I learned back in 03 when I applied to the US Border Patrol that they would request all information about arrests etc and it helped me on the lengthy process (cut it by 6 months + or -)

To all reading that are about to apply if you have anything in your past and has been nole prose or dismissed etc have all those documents ready and mail them in, they wont hurt you but help you as the government will have all the info at their finger tips and do not have to wait until another agency responds (can take weeks or months

[squidmotion]

good luck with your dilemma... remember, it's still great to be in Texas.

so back in the day, when i first had my CHL, i was worried about the time i got taken in for a warrant for an unpaid ticket... in my defense i was young, dumb and happ..... , i had an old Chevy Luv i had built that would outrun just about anything... primered, steel wheels, firebreathing large cammed 350, tweaked over TH350, 9" ford rearend... fast. loud. you get the idea. i gave the mustangs out around west Houston pure he11... i earned myself 13 tickets in 12 months... i got out of a lot by talking my way into a non-moving violation... well one slipped through the cracks.. i forgot one. go figure.

so i got pulled over in my girlfriends old escort, and they take me downtown... stuffed me in a cell with a 92yr old naked dude, and a bunch of other drunk asses... girlfriend had me out in 30 minutes. she's my wife now.



what i learned back then... no fingerprints taken, no worries. apparently mine was just a 'civil' charge... i sure felt like a criminal!!!