Deferred Prosucution Agreement

[Floridian]

I was arrested for test firing a rifle in the woods "discharge of a firearm in public" FS- 790.15 (sounds like I was shooting up Walmart!). This was my first and only offense and when I went to court the State Attorney moved for a "Defferred Prosucution Agreement". I never "served time" I only paid a fine to a person whom I visited for a few weeks (if it wasn't a probation officer who was it? ) and took a gun safety course. Now as I apply for more and more jobs I am confused at how I should answer some of the questions.

1- What is a "defferred prosucution agreement" exactly?

2-Does this mean I have been convicted?
if not what exactly am I?

3-Does this mean I have had "Adjudication Withheld" ?

4- Was this considered a "Criminal Proceeding" ?
if so what constitutes "Being placed on Probabtion in a crimanal Proceeding" ?

5-If I entered "no contest" does that mean I am found guilty of a criminal offense?

I'm confused as to what happened exactly during my court hearing and now I wish I had hired a lawyer to guide me in the right direction.

If anyone has any information for me I would be greatly appreciative. This has been a thorn in my side and only continues to get worse. As I read about this the more and more it seems I'm doomed to carry this with me for the rest of my life! Is there anyway to wipe your first and only offense off your record? Thanks again for any responses!!

 

[charlesesq]

What this typically means is that you get a probationary period of time within which if you complete it successfully, the prosecution against you for violation of the law may be dropped. It's meant for people whom aren't considered to be habitual, repeat offenders and is a second chance type law. To answer all your questions simply, it is similar to an "adjudication withheld" and in this instance, your criminal slate should be wiped clean. I can't say specifically that this is the case in Florida but my understanding of it in other states is exactly that and it would seem to be the same. You can always call up the court to ensure that what I'm stating is accurate.

Good luck to you. It seems you were able to avoid this from seriously affecting your life. Do note that firing a gun is dangerous and accidents can occur so easily even though they seem improbable.

I was arrested for test firing a rifle in the woods "discharge of a firearm in public" FS- 790.15 (sounds like I was shooting up Walmart!). This was my first and only offense and when I went to court the State Attorney moved for a "Defferred Prosucution Agreement". I never "served time" I only paid a fine to a person whom I visited for a few weeks (if it wasn't a probation officer who was it? ) and took a gun safety course. Now as I apply for more and more jobs I am confused at how I should answer some of the questions.

1- What is a "defferred prosucution agreement" exactly?

2-Does this mean I have been convicted?
if not what exactly am I?

3-Does this mean I have had "Adjudication Withheld" ?

4- Was this considered a "Criminal Proceeding" ?
if so what constitutes "Being placed on Probabtion in a crimanal Proceeding" ?

5-If I entered "no contest" does that mean I am found guilty of a criminal offense?

I'm confused as to what happened exactly during my court hearing and now I wish I had hired a lawyer to guide me in the right direction.

If anyone has any information for me I would be greatly appreciative. This has been a thorn in my side and only continues to get worse. As I read about this the more and more it seems I'm doomed to carry this with me for the rest of my life! Is there anyway to wipe your first and only offense off your record? Thanks again for any responses!!

 

[JLM556]

You got lucky

Should mean you are free and clear if you stay out of trouble