Noob Question re: DPS Site & Arrest Record

[secure]

Hi all, first post but long time reader.
First off, I took my class yesterday and passed with flying colors (yay!).
Last night I was filling out the online portion on DPS site and came to the arrest section. I was arrested a few times when I was younger (late teens early twenties) for some unpaid traffic tickets that lead to warrants. I have no record of that information or dates anymore. There were no criminal convictions or charges that were filed as a result. I simply paid the fines and was on my way. From what the site says, I need to disclose ANY arrests. My question is, if I dont have the information on dates and offense what do I do? My plan was to call the DPS tomorrow when they open to find out if they can provide me with the dates from their records.

Thanks for any help. Looking forward to being a proud CHL holder!

Mitch

[txinvestigator]

, if I dont have the information on dates and offense what do I do? My plan was to call the DPS tomorrow when they open to find out if they can provide me with the dates from their records.

Thanks for any help. Looking forward to being a proud CHL holder!

Mitch

Put what you DO know.

[secure]

Hrmmm.....I guess I need a little more direction than that.
What I DO know is that I was arrested a few times over 10 years ago and I don't remember the dates. The DPS form does not allow for me to be that vague.

[xtimbers]

Go to, or call, the county clerk where the arrest took place and ask for a certified copy of the arrest/disposition. I had one also that is 14 years old, class B, and had a copy of it in an hour $10.

[seamusTX]

Can you ask the police to run your arrest record? Newspapers and TV stations get them on suspects.

- Jim

[Mark G26]

Hrmmm.....I guess I need a little more direction than that.
What I DO know is that I was arrested a few times over 10 years ago and I don't remember the dates. The DPS form does not allow for me to be that vague.

For class B or higher go to the county clerk's office and request a criminal search. For class C arrest go to the local Municipality court and request a records search. Both will likely charge for the service.

[Dougmyers5]

http://publicdata.com/

You might get on this and look yourself up and find what you need.
I think you have to pay to get on.

[secure]

Thanks all! I am a member of publicdata and I found nothing on my record. Weird. I just did the best I could on the dates. Chances are since the arrests were so minor they probably will think nothing of them. Also considering they were 10 + years ago. Should be fine. Thanks for the help!

[txinvestigator]

Thanks all! I am a member of publicdata and I found nothing on my record. Weird. I just did the best I could on the dates. Chances are since the arrests were so minor they probably will think nothing of them. Also considering they were 10 + years ago. Should be fine. Thanks for the help!

Publicdata probably won't have Class C FTA arrests.

[BrassMonkey]

You have two choices.

1. Submit without the info and one of two possibilities could occur
a. They delay your app asking for more info
b. They deny app and you have to go thru the appeal process
Either way, you have to go get the certified records.

2. Do the legwork up front and don't give them a reason to hold you up.

My CHL Instructor said, if I do the legwork up front so they don't have to, it makes it harder for them to balk.

[Skater]

What about people who have had Felony convictions? Can they get a CHL? Is there a kind of Felony that is ok vs. one that is not ok? How long will a Felony conviction stay on your record and prevent you from obtaining a CHL?

Not asking for myself, as I don't live in Texas and can't get a CHL (I live in the Communist country featured in Pace Picante commercials known as Bloombergistan), but just asking out of curiosity.

If they were to offer a CHL program here in NYC, I would be all over it.

-Skater

[seamusTX]

A person who has been convicted of a felony can never own firearms or get a CHL. The only exception would be people who are pardoned (which does happen).

There is a provision in federal law for a felon to get his rights restored after a period of clean living, but Congress refuses to fund it.

Good luck with living in New York. Please keep Mr. Bloomberg there.

- Jim

[DeterminednTX]

Good luck with living in New York. Please keep Mr. Bloomberg there.

- Jim

Amen to that.

[Skater]

Jim, what about people who have had their records expunged? The reason I ask is that I have a friend in Kansas (who is thinking of moving to Houston) had a Class D Felony conviction (might have been a Class E, I can't remember) because he shot at a guy trying to rape his daughter (go figure, he did not even hit the guy). The conviction was for "menacing" or something akin to that. This was about 10 years ago, and he has since had his record expunged legally. It was his only criminal conviction other than for parking, traffic, and vehicle laws. So technically, he has no record right? Would he be able to get a CHL if he moved to Houston like plans to this Fall?

I know there are quite a few lawyers and LEO on here, so please feel free to give your opinion.

As a side note, I have to commend the Admins and Mods of this forum. I have been lurking in these forums quite a bit, although this is only my 2nd or 3rd post, and I find it superbly moderated, well-behaved, free of nut jobs, full of great people, and VERY informative. My hat is off to you all.

-Skater

[KBCraig]

I have a friend in Kansas (who is thinking of moving to Houston) had a Class D Felony conviction (might have been a Class E, I can't remember) because he shot at a guy trying to rape his daughter (go figure, he did not even hit the guy).

"But I missed him!" is not a good defense to prosecution.

When reviewing eligibility for a CHL, DPS takes into account what the offense would have been classified under Texas law at the time.

Kevin