newblood wrote:I am wanting to apply but I am not sure if I will qualify. I thought someone here might be able to give me some insight. Below are my infractions will I be able?
1996 Public intox
1996 disordely conduct
2004 DWI Class B mis
2008 Public intox
2008 simple assault class b mis
I know it is not a sparkling record but is it too bad to qualify? Or do I have to wait a time period before I can apply?
HELP please
thanks in advance for any info
jester wrote:(8) has not, in the five years preceding the date of application, been
convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or an offense under
Section 42.01, Penal Code;
An individual who has been convicted two times within
the10-year period preceding the date on which the person applies for
a license of an offense of the grade of Class B misdemeanor or greater
that involves the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory
element of the offense is a chemically dependent person for
purposes of this section and is not qualified to receive a license under
this subchapter.
IANAL and all that.
I'm assuming that the 2008 public intoxication was a Class C misdemeanor. It can be a Class B if you've had two before, but you only list one before and don't specify that it was B.
Your most recent Class B (2008 simple assault) does not "involve the use of alcohol or a controlled substance
as a statutory element of the offense" even though you were presumably also charged with the Class C public intoxication at the same time. The public intoxication does "involve the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory element of the offense," but is only a Class C (presumably) and not a B or higher. Therefore, the 2008 offenses do not count toward being considered "chemically dependent." The 1996 cases are the same in that disorderly conduct does not "involve the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory element of the offense" and public intoxication was (presumably) a Class C. So in 1996 and in 2008, you were not charged with a Class B or A misdemeanor that involved the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory element of the offense.
That means your 2004 DWI is the only Class B or higher offense you've committed that "involved the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory element of the offense." If you get another Class B or higher that involves alcohol between now and 2014, you will be considered chemically dependent and will be ineligible without doctor exemption yada yada for a CHL (which you're highly unlikely to get). However, the statute does say, "This subsection does not preclude the disqualification of an individual for being a chemically dependent person if other evidence exists to show that the person is a chemically dependent person." You aren't out of the woodwork completely, but you aren't disqualified out of the gate.
If you get another alcohol related offense between now and then, no matter what class, you could be considered chemically dependent based on your legal track record and if they say you are "chemically dependent" then you will be excluded from ever getting a CHL. It's a lot less likely that they'd say you are chemically dependent if you have 5 years with no legal problems involving alcohol, but it isn't a guarantee. Keep your nose clean! If you get another Class A or B in the next 4 years that involves alcohol like another DWI, you'll be automatically considered chemically dependent and will definitely be excluded from getting a CHL.
Therefore, as long as things stay as they are (stop drinking and getting in trouble, dude!) then according to my reading of it, you have to wait 5 years from your most recent Class B (which was 2008) and you can't get another Class B or higher that involves alcohol in the statutory description within 10 years of the last one (which was 2004).
That would mean 2013 is the soonest you can get a CHL.