My CHL application and juvenile record--need some advice

[stevie_d_64]

I just can't see where anyone would not remember incidents like this, and have a fairly clear understanding of what occured...Thats why I would err on the side of disclosing, and let the CHL ofice determine if you would still be a go...Can't see how that would really make a difference if you get your license 3-4 days faster than if you failed to disclose, and they reject the application because of that...

I wouldn't risk that...Whether it was 5 years ago, 10 or how ever long ago it was...Whether you were a juvenile or adult...

[CHLSteve]

I just can't see where anyone would not remember incidents like this, and have a fairly clear understanding of what occured..

I agree with your point of disclosure, but really you can't see how I could forget the details after 16 years?

1. I was a kid
2. It was no big deal--I wasn't doing anything "wrong" that I knew of--just wandered into someone else's property
3. The police came, asked us what we were doing--we told them "nothing" which was true... well, actually skipping church and wandering around
4. The police dropped us off, and that was the end of it. (except for the parental whipping that followed for skipping church)

At 15, I didn't know what arrested, detained, charged, or anything like that meant. When the application calls for dates, and other details that I just don't have, I figure I either need to get that info, or leave it off it isn't important.

[Aric]

happened to me and I didn't put it down. heck I didn't even think about stuff like this.. If I wasn't handcuffed and taken down to the police station or had to appear before a judge I wouldn't write it down.

But then thats just my 2 cents

[frankie_the_yankee]

I just can't see where anyone would not remember incidents like this, and have a fairly clear understanding of what occured..

I agree with your point of disclosure, but really you can't see how I could forget the details after 16 years?

1. I was a kid
2. It was no big deal--I wasn't doing anything "wrong" that I knew of--just wandered into someone else's property
3. The police came, asked us what we were doing--we told them "nothing" which was true... well, actually skipping church and wandering around
4. The police dropped us off, and that was the end of it. (except for the parental whipping that followed for skipping church)

At 15, I didn't know what arrested, detained, charged, or anything like that meant. When the application calls for dates, and other details that I just don't have, I figure I either need to get that info, or leave it off it isn't important.

IMO, you may have been "arrested" in the technical sense, but you were not booked and I would doubt very strongly if there is any record of this incident anywhere.

But remember, IANAL.

[cxm]

There is an easy solution to this... give the DPS a call on their 800 number and ask them how to handle it...

Much better solution than sorting out various opinions...

FWIW

Chuck

[para driver]

make sure you get the city, county and state correct.. so it can come back as 'clean, no record'.. and then you're official..

[CHLSteve]

Well good news... I was able to get in touch with a very helpful woman at the Juvenile Probation Department. I explained the situation (short version) to her, and told her that I needed to find out if there was anything on my record that would show up in a background check for a CHL. She looked for several minutes and told me that there was nothing at all on my record.

She also said that for that type of thing those records are usually destroyed once you turn 21 years old.

So, it sounds like I'm cleared for takeoff. I'll be sending in my application this week!

[txinvestigator]

Well good news... I was able to get in touch with a very helpful woman at the Juvenile Probation Department. I explained the situation (short version) to her, and told her that I needed to find out if there was anything on my record that would show up in a background check for a CHL. She looked for several minutes and told me that there was nothing at all on my record.

That is positive

She also said that for that type of thing those records are usually destroyed once you turn 21 years old.

That is incorrect. Just the way she made the statement tells me she has no clue. Either the law requires records to be destroyed, or it does not. In ether case, "usually" is not a real answer.

Juvenile records are not destroyed, and are accessable for Criminal Justice Purposes.

[CHLSteve]

Quote:
She also said that for that type of thing those records are usually destroyed once you turn 21 years old.
That is incorrect. Just the way she made the statement tells me she has no clue. Either the law requires records to be destroyed, or it does not. In ether case, "usually" is not a real answer.

Juvenile records are not destroyed, and are accessable for Criminal Justice Purposes.

Well, maybe. I have no way of knowing if you're right or not, but don't determine what she knew based on my post. I'm not quoting her word for word or anything.

The lady I spoke with was supposed to be the "boss", and seemed like she knew what she was talking about. If I misspoke, and didn't recall the details of our conversation correctly when I posted them here, I apologize.

Either way, I'm going to leave it off. I may decide to call the DPS tomorrow if I have a few extra minutes.

[grim-bob]

Thought I'd share my experience on the subject.....

When I was 13 I went through the same exact thing. Was picked up with my younger brother and a couple friends by a local officer (a person who knew my family for years). We were placed in the back of the squad car and transported all of 150 yards back to my parents and were released to my Dad. No words of being arrested detained or anything else were ever spoken.

However, several years later my brother was killed and while the detectives were digging on everyone surrounding the event they found the record on us both and I was questioned about it. Wasn't a big deal as they were just looking for background info.

Granted I was still a minor at the time the record was found so I don't know if that record still exists today. And I've not yet even planned to submit for a CHL yet. Guess I should definitely disclose my "event" when the time comes.


EDIT: FWIW this happened around 1992 if I remember right.

[para driver]

I'd still disclose it on the form... 'juvenille tresspass, age 15'..
I don't think it's going to hurt your application..

[CHLSteve]

Quote:
Either way, I'm going to leave it off. I may decide to call the DPS tomorrow if I have a few extra minutes.

Well, FWIW I did leave this off of my application, and it was approved yesterday. I'm not suggesting that anyone should do the same, but for me, after the phone calls I made, I decided to just leave it off and hope for the best.

Thank you to all of you who offered your advice and support.

[KRM45]

Congratulations

Quote:
Either way, I'm going to leave it off. I may decide to call the DPS tomorrow if I have a few extra minutes.

Well, FWIW I did leave this off of my application, and it was approved yesterday. I'm not suggesting that anyone should do the same, but for me, after the phone calls I made, I decided to just leave it off and hope for the best.

Thank you to all of you who offered your advice and support.

[texaseyes]

Just want to make a comment on the preceding. A person makes an inquiry about a question on this board and we get this kind of efficient and thorough information returned.
The very fact that posters in here work so hard to be "sure" about the information disclosed is impressive.
It also proves, again, that when the state of Texas issues a permit to carry it is certainly worth the plastic it is printed on.
Hopefully, as long as we maintain the reputation of regulating ourselves, as I personally have witnessed in here on numerous topics, we eliminate the possibility of being further regulated by third party powers in the future.
Just my 2 cents.

[7GenTex]

On page #3, item #17 of the blue CHL Application Instructions I have (dated 7/00) it states:

"Include information regarding any offense for which you were taken into custody by a law enforcement agency and fingerprinted, or any offense for which you were charged under an information or indictment." (emphasis added)

BUT......

Item #17 of the actual CHL application (dated 7/00) states:

"include any offenses for which you were arrested......"

IMHO - It would seem (HAH!) that a person reading the instructions while completing the application would NOT include any "events" with law enforcement unless they were fingerprinted or charged under an information or indictment.

BTW - What's an "information"?