Class I Misdemeanor

[m1helmethead]

Hey guys,

Newbie here and I have a question about this domestic violence act and VA law. Back in 2005 I pled no contest to a stalking charge that was charged by a ex gf. If I could go back and change things I would but I was young and dumb and let my emotions carry me away. But I wanted to know if stalking is considered a domestic violence charge? Does this mean I can not own or purchase a firearm? At the time my lawyer told me it would have no effect but now that I look back on it I don't really think he knew what he was doing.

Any advice would be appreciated as I am looking at getting a rifle or a handgun and I want to be legal.

Thanks

[gunderwood]

Didn't you post here on this topic already or was that someone else?

[m1helmethead]

That was someone else.

[gunderwood]

IANAL, but I think you're SOL. I don't agree with it though, not that it does you much good.

Edit: I would get a lawyer though and see what they say.

[m1helmethead]

/sigh thats not to fair...I hope its not the case. Can anyone recommend a good lawyer perhaps?

[allingeneral]

Take a look at the link below and make a couple of phone calls. Have your ducks in a row - specifically, have in front of you, the exact charge and the exact Virginia Code that was violated. Make a couple of calls, and you might be able to get your question answered over the phone in a quick 5-minute discussion.

http://www.hkshooter.net/lawyers/
(This link is available in the top left of this site under "Legal resources")

[allingeneral]

http://www.hkshooter.net/lawyers/
(This link is available in the top left of this site under "Legal resources")

Also check the "VA Case Law Search" link under Legal Resources and do some searching for the Statute that you violated under your No Contest plea...might be some good reading there.

[gunderwood]

VCDL has a list too.

[m1helmethead]

Excuse me I made a mistake I was not convicted the case ended up being dismissed in 2007. Does that mean I am in the clear?

[Mindflayer]

Excuse me I made a mistake I was not convicted the case ended up being dismissed in 2007. Does that mean I am in the clear?

Best bet is to spend the money and talk to a lawyer.

[Diomed]

Excuse me I made a mistake I was not convicted the case ended up being dismissed in 2007. Does that mean I am in the clear?

Per the feds:

(B)
(i) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter, unless—
(I) the person was represented by counsel in the case, or knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel in the case; and
(II) in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either
(aa) the case was tried by a jury, or
(bb) the person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise.
(ii) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter if the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable jurisdiction provides for the loss of civil rights under such an offense) unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.

A dismissal does not seem to fall into that scope.

[m1helmethead]

Excuse me I made a mistake I was not convicted the case ended up being dismissed in 2007. Does that mean I am in the clear?

Per the feds:

(B)
(i) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter, unless—
(I) the person was represented by counsel in the case, or knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel in the case; and
(II) in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either
(aa) the case was tried by a jury, or
(bb) the person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise.
(ii) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter if the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable jurisdiction provides for the loss of civil rights under such an offense) unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.

A dismissal does not seem to fall into that scope.

I'm still going to check with a lawyer but from what you have posted here I should be good to go correct?

[allingeneral]

I'm still going to check with a lawyer but from what you have posted here I should be good to go correct?

I don't think you're going to get anyone here to jump up and exclaim "Yes, you're good to go - now go buy a firearm and test my theory!"

We aren't lawyers - we just play lawyers on the internetz, and none of our points should be accepted as legal advice. You really should discuss this with a lawyer as linked to in a previous post. Make some phone calls, be brief, take as little of the man's time as possible and you may get your answer that way without having to pay for a sit-down consultation.

If the charge was dismissed, you may be able to get it expunged, or removed from your record.

[m1helmethead]

I'm still going to check with a lawyer but from what you have posted here I should be good to go correct?

I don't think you're going to get anyone here to jump up and exclaim "Yes, you're good to go - now go buy a firearm and test my theory!"

We aren't lawyers - we just play lawyers on the internetz, and none of our points should be accepted as legal advice. You really should discuss this with a lawyer as linked to in a previous post. Make some phone calls, be brief, take as little of the man's time as possible and you may get your answer that way without having to pay for a sit-down consultation.

If the charge was dismissed, you may be able to get it expunged, or removed from your record.

Hey sorry didn't mean to piss ya off bud. I was just kinda anxious. Thanks for the replies.

[SgtBill]

I don't think you pissed off anyone. But you can't expect anyone on this board to give you advice that might come back and bite them in the ass. Speaking to an attorney was good advice, take it and get the old case expunged. Once you do that then IT NEVER HAPPEND.
Bill

[allingeneral]

I'm still going to check with a lawyer but from what you have posted here I should be good to go correct?

I don't think you're going to get anyone here to jump up and exclaim "Yes, you're good to go - now go buy a firearm and test my theory!"

We aren't lawyers - we just play lawyers on the internetz, and none of our points should be accepted as legal advice. You really should discuss this with a lawyer as linked to in a previous post. Make some phone calls, be brief, take as little of the man's time as possible and you may get your answer that way without having to pay for a sit-down consultation.

If the charge was dismissed, you may be able to get it expunged, or removed from your record.

Hey sorry didn't mean to piss ya off bud. I was just kinda anxious. Thanks for the replies.

You haven't pissed anyone off. I understand the position that you're in and the fact that you want some sort of definitive answer - I'm just saying that this is not the place for a definitive answer.

[m1helmethead]

Spoke to Inger out of Winchester he says if it was dismissed I am fair game to purchase and own!
I am excited. Thanks guys!

[gunderwood]

Spoke to Inger out of Richmond he says if it was dismissed I am fair game to purchase and own!
I am excited. Thanks guys!

Knowing now that it was dismissed, I would say you are good to go too, but I'm not a lawyer. Forums are good to get guidance, but final legal advice should always come from a lawyer and in writing when possible. Glad to hear it.

[Mindflayer]

Get it in writing and get your criminal record on paper.

This really applies to everyone. I was up for a lucrative job and the recruiter called me in a tizzy. Evidently I was in jail serving time for a crime I didn't commit. Turns out a court clerk screwed up years before. It was obviously a mistake but I could not be hired due to policy. Check them records!

[allingeneral]

Spoke to Inger out of Winchester he says if it was dismissed I am fair game to purchase and own!
I am excited. Thanks guys!

Glad to hear it. Congrats!