Chl permit delayed for police record

[djbeckett]

I've been delayed for honesty. I listed two juvenile police problems on my Texas CHL application. It took them 70 days to return a letter saying they need judgement, disposition and sentence for shoplifting in ≈1978. I've called 30 numbers, mailed 5 requests, emailed 6 lawyers. Paid at least $30.00 on web searches, only to realize you'll never see juvenile records! Hours searching the internet, trying to find the right department. It's difficult to say the least.

SPECIFICS: this happened in Roscommon, Michigan ≈1978. I wasn't fingerprinted, mom picked me up. I was 16.
I've called both the county clerk and court clerk in roscommon three days ago. No reply. I even spoke to the Chief of police! He said try ICHAT. I did, no record.

I've read I only need a certified "no record found" letter from the courts.

If anyone has ever had this problem and got it resolved, please reply. I have less than 75 days. I'm about to give up.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Isn't the process great?!? If you lied on the form about your background - that would make you a criminal, even though your background really doesn't make you a criminal. When you tell the truth about your background - which really isn't criminal - they treat you like a criminal. But, at least we know there are no criminals carrying guns in Texas....

and Texans like to brag about how "free" their state is in regards to firearms...

These guys might be able to help:
http://www.musicklawoffice.com/duidwi/license-suspension/

 

[Sparky43207]

I have only recently got my CCW from Florida after going through the same process. The initial investigation showed some traffic tickets without resolution and a couple of minor misdemeanors all from the mid '80s in Delaware. I called the Clerk of Courts and faxed him the paperwork from Florida. I got back each sheet signed and sealed that the charges were too old to have the records maintained. I forwarded that back to Florida and it took about an additional two months to get my license issued.

Good Luck

 

[Military Man]

I've been delayed for honesty. I listed two juvenile police problems on my Texas CHL application. It took them 70 days to return a letter saying they need judgement, disposition and sentence for shoplifting in ≈1978. I've called 30 numbers, mailed 5 requests, emailed 6 lawyers. Paid at least $30.00 on web searches, only to realize you'll never see juvenile records! Hours searching the internet, trying to find the right department. It's difficult to say the least.

SPECIFICS: this happened in Roscommon, Michigan ≈1978. I wasn't fingerprinted, mom picked me up. I was 16.
I've called both the county clerk and court clerk in roscommon three days ago. No reply. I even spoke to the Chief of police! He said try ICHAT. I did, no record.

I've read I only need a certified "no record found" letter from the courts.

If anyone has ever had this problem and got it resolved, please reply. I have less than 75 days. I'm about to give up.

Talk to an attorney. If there is no record, that should take care of it. If there is a record, see if you can get the records expunged. Expungement in Texas means it never happened and all records are destroyed.

 

[djbeckett]

Sure enough, I heard back from someone. I emailed the Sheriffs office, they replied! They asked if I ever went before a judge, and added they would draft a letter saying "no records exist". I've read that the state accepted official no records found letters.

This is my first post to the forum. I'll keep it updated for others that have the same issue.

Soon I can talk/ask about concealed carry in Texas!!

 

[apvbguy]

if it was JV matter the records should have been sealed. your huge error is offering info unnecessarily. the rule of thumb is if you are not required to inform, DON'T!

 

[BC1]

instructions for completing a CCW application in many states ask about juvenile arrests. While the disposition may be sealed the arrest pops on a background check. Hard to explain you don't remember being handcuffed. Tell the truth and use the process.

 

[telpinaro]

if it was JV matter the records should have been sealed. your huge error is offering info unnecessarily. the rule of thumb is if you are not required to inform, DON'T!

Just be sure and double check to make absolutely certain you're not required to inform first. Not informing on something you're supposed to would change "delayed" to "denied." But yeah... if it's not legally required, it's none of their business (of course, all of this disregards how I feel about background checks in general...).

 

[RobbK]

Are you sure it is the Juvenal record that is the hold up? Those are closed and not even looked at in most cases in your adult years.

 

[djbeckett]

I've heard from all govenment agencies where I had minor offenses when I was 16. Both came back "no records found." They mailed me the records not found forms on their official letterhead. Mckinney, Texas stamped theirs with the county stamp, I'm hoping this will satisfy the DPS.

I listed every problem I ever had with the police on the app. A delay letter came back to me, listing the offenses exactly as I had worded them. The instruction said to list offenses, no matter how long ago. That's why I did it. I suspect if I hadn't said anything, I would be licensed. I didn't take that chance.....

 

[Redeemer]

Are you sure it is the Juvenal record that is the hold up? Those are closed and not even looked at in most cases in your adult years.

This is my first post, and I came here looking for information because I have a similar situation. A minor possession arrest at the age of 16 in CT. I was able to join the Army in 1997 (even though you can't get in with drug charges on your record) because the records were sealed and the recruiter gave me a letter showing "No criminal record". He, and the state court informed me I do not have to disclose this information on applications etc. I did my 6 years and was honorably discharged.

Fast forward to work / career, I got an internship at an investment bank, which in addition to background check, did fingerprints and FBI check. Guess what turned up? I got the internship after the manager chocked it up to "youthful indiscretion" but it was a lesson that even when I am instructed by the courts to lie, and it is enough to get me into the military, the FBI always knows.

Fast forward 20 years, I live in TX, don't use drugs or alcohol, or even smoke cigarettes, have a great family of my own, house, job etc, but I know I will need to be fingerprinted for a CC permit. I don't know what to do, how long the FBI keeps those records and what to say on the application. I can't be unique in this situation.

 

[djbeckett]

I've learned a lot about this. I have the similar situation. Most people you ask in these forums talk around the subject: either they don't know what to do or want to get stupid with you (FELLOW CONTRIBUTORS:if you're not that person, I'm not talking about you).
The best thing to do is get a certified letter from the county clerk, court where it happened and send with your application. The sheriff where I had the trouble sent a "no record found" letter. In addition, the court clerk from the same county sent the same type of letter. If you don't, but list the issues on your application, they will take 60 days to reply with a delay letter. That letter will request the offenses you listed. You will need sentence, disposition and/or adjudication proof. They have another 180 days to issue the permit after the delay process, so get your court records (no records found) BEFORE you apply.
I'm 100% sure they will find no records. You were 16. I'm guessing they didn't fingerprint you, and your parents probably picked you up after the crime. You may not even have gone to court over it. That means there are no records.
Once I figured out who to talk to, it wasn't that difficult. Go to the town or city (online). Get phone numbers and call them. You may get some rude person on the other end, but be nice and ask who in that city would have the info. It costs me a total of $5.00 for three different letters.
"Certified" letter may confuse you. The town seal, stamped city seal, official letterhead, signatures from the town I consider "certified." I asked one court clerk to please put their city seal on the letter, explaining that I needed a certified letter. She did!
I sent the no records found letters with the delay letter I received straight back. 16 days, no reply. As I said, per the law, they can take as much as 180 days 'cause I didn't send them with the application.
I asked the Texas law shield, whom I'm a member, the identical question (online). They called me, saying that a "no records found" certified letter from the city would satisfy Austin. That was nice of them!
I wasted time and money looking online for arrest records. DUH!! I was a juvenile, there will be no records!!!!!
With all that said, I haven't got my permit (16 days). I'm confident I will. I'll stay in touch with this topic, good luck.

 

[djbeckett]

I got it 18 days after sending the "no records found" letters. That was all they needed, simple letters from the court.

Should have done it with the first app. submittal.......