Expert: Dan Haynes - 7/15/2008

Question
I was arrested over two years ago on 3 felony marijuana distribution charges and 2 felony distributions on school property.  In court the 3 distribution charges were lowered to misdemeanors and the other 2 charges were held under advisement for two years and would be dropped provided I adhere to my probation for the follow two years after I got out of jail.  My two years are up and I am going at the end of this week to court.  So and hopefully everything will be over after that.  I never lost my right to vote and would like to own a firearm. Is there a certain period of time I need to wait or any hoops i  have to jump through.  I am a resident of Virginia and twenty-two years old

Answer
Joe,

Thanks for asking. If you get cleared of the last two charges in court, and there is not a felony of any type on your record, you should be able to own a firearm.

Virginia laws may say otherwise, but Federal law says no convicted felons may own firearms. I would recommend asking for legal help after your court hearing.

If I can be of further assistance, please contact me again.

Dan