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Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:06 am
by jmdevera
Hello All.
I am sure this question has been posted 1,000 times but I must ask it.
I was arrested 2 years ago on unpaid traffic offenses. I was not charged with anything I just had to pay my tickets. I applied and received my packet a few months ago and I have not been able to take the CHL course yet. Is there anything else I need to before or after I take the class? Will this hinder my processing?
Thanks!
-JD
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:22 am
by USA1
Hello JD and welcome to the forum .
You should definitely get a copy of the disposition letter from the county clerk where the incident took place.
Basically this is a record of any arrests and the outcome of the arrest(s).
If the clerk cannot find any records of the arrest(s) , then he or she should give you a signed letter stating...
"no records found"
You will need to list all arrests on your application , as failing to do so can be a reason for DPS to deny your application.
I hope this helps.
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:23 am
by jmdevera
Will I send this letter with the application once I have taken the class?
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:24 am
by USA1
jmdevera wrote:Will I send this letter with the application once I have taken the class?
Yes, you need to send any documentation along with your application to DPS.
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:25 am
by jmdevera
Great thanks!
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:26 am
by USA1
jmdevera wrote:Great thanks!
No problem.
Keep checking this thread periodically as more folks may have additional advice/comments.
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:43 am
by joe817
jmdevera wrote:Hello All. I am sure this question has been posted 1,000 times but I must ask it.
I was arrested 2 years ago on unpaid traffic offenses. I was not charged with anything I just had to pay my tickets. I applied and received my packet a few months ago and I have not been able to take the CHL course yet. Is there anything else I need to before or after I take the class? Will this hinder my processing? Thanks! -JD
HI jmdevera, welcome to the forum! There's a wealth of information here at your fingertips and a great bunch of guys & gals to help you on your journey.
USA1 gave excellent advice. I posed the EXACT same question as you back in May when I first came here. I too had an arrest record for unpaid traffic tickets. Here's how I handled mine:
BEFORE I turned in my packet, I went to Arlington(where the actual arrest occurred) to get
certifed copies of the disposition, AND a criminal background check(just for good measures). I also went to the city of Euless(where the offense occurred), obtained certified copies of the disposition from the court clerk AND a criminal background check(both certified here again), then I went to Tarrant County and obtained certified copies of the dispositions of cases that occurred back in the early 1980's. I sent the originals to them(both dispositions and criminal background checks) and I kept copies. In fact I kept copies of EVERYTHING I sent them, just for good measures.
DPS wants you to self declare EVERY one of your arrests in your lifetime. That's what they told me when I called. I submitted to them 2 pages of explanations(in landscape format) of my 5 offenses that had occurred over my lifetime.
I wish you luck in your journey. BTW, what part of this great State do you hail from?

Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:46 am
by jmdevera
Thanks for the help. Luckily I only have one arrest and it occurred in the same city I owed money too.
I'm down just south of Houston in League City, Texas!
-JD
Re: Arrest
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:49 am
by joe817
jmdevera wrote:Thanks for the help. Luckily I only have one arrest and it occurred in the same city I owed money too.
I'm down just south of Houston in League City, Texas! -JD
Coolo. There's a bunch of forum members that live down your way!

Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:31 pm
by Keymaster
Digging up an old thread here I guess, but my situation applies here. I have two arrests from '02. One in Cook county IL, one in IN. I have 2 pieces of paper from the second regarding the outcome of the case, but no arrest report or anything. I have NOTHING from my arrest in IL. How would one go about obtaining all this info from distant states?
Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:35 pm
by Oldgringo
Keymaster wrote:Digging up an old thread here I guess, but my situation applies here. I have two arrests from '02. One in Cook county IL, one in IN. I have 2 pieces of paper from the second regarding the outcome of the case, but no arrest report or anything. I have NOTHING from my arrest in IL. How would one go about obtaining all this info from distant states?
Telephone?
Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:18 pm
by USA1
Oldgringo wrote:Keymaster wrote:Digging up an old thread here I guess, but my situation applies here. I have two arrests from '02. One in Cook county IL, one in IN. I have 2 pieces of paper from the second regarding the outcome of the case, but no arrest report or anything. I have NOTHING from my arrest in IL. How would one go about obtaining all this info from distant states?
Telephone?
Yep , Start making some calls.
Also , I recently learned from a reliable source that the required
documentation/disposition(s) can be obtained via Mail.
Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:21 pm
by jmdevera
USA1 wrote:Oldgringo wrote:Keymaster wrote:Digging up an old thread here I guess, but my situation applies here. I have two arrests from '02. One in Cook county IL, one in IN. I have 2 pieces of paper from the second regarding the outcome of the case, but no arrest report or anything. I have NOTHING from my arrest in IL. How would one go about obtaining all this info from distant states?
Telephone?
Yep , Start making some calls.
Also , I recently learned from a reliable source that the required
documentation/disposition(s) can be obtained via Mail.
I would start calling the county clerk's office. Don't forget to document record of all the arrests on your application.
Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:38 pm
by joe817
I would start calling the county clerk's office. Don't forget to document record of all the arrests on your application.
I totally agree jmdevera. ALL arrests that lead up to booking, photographing and fingerprinting you while in jail.
Provide complete explanation of each arrest, and the results of them.
One thing I learned is that DPS places a lot of importance on self declaring. Good luck to you, and keep asking questions!

Re: Arrest
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:51 pm
by TexasRedneck
I had one from back in the 80's from unpaid tickets as well....couldn't really remember any details, nor exact year or month. I simply put the approximate year, explained it had been so long ago I couldn't remember the details, and that I'd paid all fines. No problems, or even any questions.