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Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:10 am
by Question1234
Hello all,

I recently purchased my first firearm from an FFL. I have a question about the CHL in Tx. I was arrested for a First degree felony I think in 2001 and it was dismissed via deferred adjudication in 2004. I currently pas the NICS check. I was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (non violent). I have read online that I qualify for a CHL if 10 years have passed. My question is; does that 10 years refer to the date that the deferred adjudication was started, or the date that it ended and was dismissed, or other?

Thanks

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:00 am
by alexrex20
10 years from the date that you plead guilty and adjudication was deferred (or started).

More importantly, what did you actually plead guilty to? You may have been arrested for a 1st degree felony, but finally charged with a lesser offense - maybe a misdemeanor?

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:15 am
by Question1234
alexrex20 wrote:10 years from the date that you plead guilty and adjudication was deferred (or started).

More importantly, what did you actually plead guilty to? You may have been arrested for a 1st degree felony, but finally charged with a lesser offense - maybe a misdemeanor?
It was a 1st deg felony. So 10 years from the day the deferred adjudication started. Do you or anyone else happen to know what state or federal law says this?

Thanks

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:00 am
by Crossfire
GC § 411.1711. CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM CONVICTIONS. A person is not convicted, as that term is defined by Section 411.171, if an order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person on a date not less than 10 years preceding the date of the person's application for a license under this subchapter unless the order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person for:
(1) a felony offense under:
(A) Title 5, Penal Code;
(B) Chapter 29, Penal Code;
(C) Section 25.07, Penal Code; or
(D) Section 30.02, Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (c)(2) or (d) of that section; or
(2) an offense under the laws of another state if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in Subdivision (1).

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:11 am
by ScottDLS
Question1234 wrote:
alexrex20 wrote:10 years from the date that you plead guilty and adjudication was deferred (or started).

More importantly, what did you actually plead guilty to? You may have been arrested for a 1st degree felony, but finally charged with a lesser offense - maybe a misdemeanor?
It was a 1st deg felony. So 10 years from the day the deferred adjudication started. Do you or anyone else happen to know what state or federal law says this?

Thanks

This one.
(4) “Convicted” means an adjudication of guilt or, except as provided in Section 411.1711, an order of deferred adjudication entered against a person by a court of competent jurisdiction whether or not the imposition of the sentence is subsequently probated and the person is discharged from community supervision. The term does not include an adjudication of guilt or an order of deferred adjudication that has been subsequently:
GC § 411.1711. CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM CONVICTIONS. A person is not convicted, as that term is defined by Section 411.171, if an order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person on a date not less than 10 years preceding the date of the person's application for a license under this subchapter unless the order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person for:
(1) a felony offense under:
(A) Title 5, Penal Code;
4 TEXAS CONCEALED HANDGUN LAWS
(B) Chapter 29, Penal Code;
(C) Section 25.07, Penal Code; or
(D) Section 30.02, Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (c)(2) or (d) of that section; or
(2) an offense under the laws of another state if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in Subdivision (1).
....
GC §411.172. ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:
(1) is a legal resident of this state for the six-month period preceding the date of application under this subchapter or is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 411.173(a);
(2) is at least 21 years of age;
(3) has not been convicted of a felony;
(4) is not charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense, or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense, or of a felony under an information or indictment;
(5) is not a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense;
(6) is not a chemically dependent person;
(7) is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun;
(8) has not, in the five years preceding the date of application, been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense;
(9) is fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun;
(10) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment administered or collected by the attorney general;
(11) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in the payment of a tax or other money collected by the comptroller, the tax collector of a political subdivision of the state, or any agency or subdivision of the state;
(12) is not currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests;
(13) has not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony; and
(14) has not made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174.
(b) For the purposes of this section, an offense under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States is:
(1) except as provided by Subsection (b-1), a felony if the offense, at the time the offense is committed:
(A) is designated by a law of this state as a felony;
(B) contains all the elements of an offense designated by a law of this state as a felony; or
(C) is punishable by confinement for one year or more in a penitentiary; and

....

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:31 pm
by Question1234
Crossfire wrote:GC § 411.1711. CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM CONVICTIONS. A person is not convicted, as that term is defined by Section 411.171, if an order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person on a date not less than 10 years preceding the date of the person's application for a license under this subchapter unless the order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person for:
(1) a felony offense under:
(A) Title 5, Penal Code;
(B) Chapter 29, Penal Code;
(C) Section 25.07, Penal Code; or
(D) Section 30.02, Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (c)(2) or (d) of that section; or
(2) an offense under the laws of another state if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in Subdivision (1).
Well I don't fall under any of those as it was for a controlled substance (non violent, non theft) and was deferred adjudicated about 10 years ago. I guess I'll start looking around for CHL classes =)
thanks

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:51 pm
by Originalist
Are you sure it was a 1st Degree felony?

Sec. 12.32. FIRST DEGREE FELONY PUNISHMENT. (a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years.(b) In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.


That is one step down from a Capital Felony in the State of Texas.

ETA:
This is where things get confusing for me.....

Sec. 411.171. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(4) "Convicted" means an adjudication of guilt or, except as provided in Section 411.1711, an order of deferred adjudication entered against a person by a court of competent jurisdiction whether or not the imposition of the sentence is subsequently probated and the person is discharged from community supervision. The term does not include an adjudication of guilt or an order of deferred adjudication that has been subsequently:
(A) expunged;
(B) pardoned under the authority of a state or federal official; or
(C) otherwise vacated, set aside, annulled, invalidated, voided, or sealed under any state or federal law.

To me this says that everything is considered a conviction, whether via Deferred Adjudication or not unless specifically exempted in Sec. 411.1711

Sec. 411.1711. CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM CONVICTIONS. A person is not convicted, as that term is defined by Section 411.171, if an order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person on a date not less than 10 years preceding the date of the person's application for a license under this subchapter unless the order of deferred adjudication was entered against the person for:
(1) a felony offense under:
(A) Title 5, Penal Code;
(B) Chapter 29, Penal Code; - Robbery
(C) Section 25.07, Penal Code; or - Violation of Certain Court Orders or Condition of Bond in a Family Violence Case
(D) Section 30.02, Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (c)(2) or (d) of that section; or - Burglary
(2) an offense under the laws of another state if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in Subdivision (1).
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1084, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146, Sec. 11.01, eff. September 1, 2009.

However, Sec. 411.1711 says everything is exempted except felony DA judgements as long as 10 yrs has passed and it was not as result of a violation of one the listed Chapt/Section...

Its been two legislative sessions since my last renewal, but is a C Misd. conviction of Disorderly Conduct no longer a prohibition for a CHL? I couldnt find it in eligibility at all....

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:13 pm
by Lambda Force
Sec. 481.121. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OF MARIHUANA. (a) Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally possesses a usable quantity of marihuana.(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is:(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is two ounces or less;(2) a Class A misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;(3) a state jail felony if the amount of marihuana possessed is five pounds or less but more than four ounces;(4) a felony of the third degree if the amount of marihuana possessed is 50 pounds or less but more than 5 pounds;(5) a felony of the second degree if the amount of marihuana possessed is 2,000 pounds or less but more than 50 pounds; :eek6

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:58 pm
by ScottDLS
Lambda Force wrote:Sec. 481.121. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OF MARIHUANA. (a) Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally possesses a usable quantity of marihuana.(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is:(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is two ounces or less;(2) a Class A misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;(3) a state jail felony if the amount of marihuana possessed is five pounds or less but more than four ounces;(4) a felony of the third degree if the amount of marihuana possessed is 50 pounds or less but more than 5 pounds;(5) a felony of the second degree if the amount of marihuana possessed is 2,000 pounds or less but more than 50 pounds; :eek6
Wow could OP have been Deferred for over 2000lb of weed? :shock: That would be a first degree felony...along with (non-capital) murder and a few other "minor" issues.

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:22 am
by Jumping Frog
ScottDLS wrote:Wow could OP have been Deferred for over 2000lb of weed? :shock: That would be a first degree felony...along with (non-capital) murder and a few other "minor" issues.
He may have given the "right" testimony on other cases . . .

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:53 am
by Question1234
No, it was not for pot. There are many other substances that a very small amount can be considered a first degree felony. It's the governments way of trying to punish people for life when they are young. I was just a stupid kid and underage at the time so deferred adjudication was offered. I've been good since then.
But just to reiterate, I did pass the NICS background check and have since then purchased a firearm from an FFL.

Re: Question about CHL

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:26 am
by Jusster
Question1234 wrote:No, it was not for pot. There are many other substances that a very small amount can be considered a first degree felony. It's the governments way of trying to punish people for life when they are young. I was just a stupid kid and underage at the time so deferred adjudication was offered. I've been good since then.
But just to reiterate, I did pass the NICS background check and have since then purchased a firearm from an FFL.
Was this in Texas? I'd suggest you contact the county clerks office and see what you were actually charged with/convicted of. I've known a lot of people who have done a lot of things, but never have I heard of anyone getting deferred for a 1st degree felony.....nor getting a 1st degree felony for a small amount of anything unless they've been busted a few times for the same thing. You may have been knocked down to something else, and besides, DPS might want this info anyway so it wouldn't hurt to get a head start.

Regards,