Are You a Convicted Felon? Take These Steps to Avoid Inadvertently Possessing a Gun
One of the challenges of being a convicted felon is that you cannot possess a firearm, which means that if you were previously a hunter or a gun collector, you'll need to find a new hobby. You'll also need to be careful to avoid coming into contact with a firearm and having it in your possession since this could lead to the serious criminal charge of gun possession by a convicted felon.
While an attorney who handles such cases may be able to get your charge dropped with the right approach to the case, you should always be proactive in keeping away from firearms. Here are some steps that you can use.
Be Careful with Borrowed Vehicles
You need to make a point of being wary about borrowing a vehicle. Ideally, you'll be able to avoid doing so completely, as this can dramatically reduce the risk of inadvertently having a gun in your possession. If you have to borrow a vehicle, do so from only a trusted individual and search the vehicle thoroughly to ensure that there isn't a gun present. Driving a vehicle means that you're lawfully in possession of what is inside of it, and a simple traffic stop that reveals a firearm — even if you didn't know about its presence — could lead to a possession charge.
Don't Associate with the Wrong People
As a convicted felon, it's possible that some members of your social circle have had their own run-ins with the law. If you're trying to stay on the straight and narrow, you'll need to limit your contact to those who may continue to carry firearms. For example, if you are hanging out with some other people, including those who have guns, it would be easy for someone to quickly slip his or her firearm into your jacket pocket or backpack without your knowledge when the police arrive. This would lead to a charge for you, all because you chose to associate with the wrong people.
Don't Hold Things for People
If someone you know approaches you and asks you to hang onto a backpack, a suitcase, or some other type of object that can hold various items, your response should be no. This is especially true if you don't find the person particularly trustworthy. It's possible that he or she could be under police investigation and doesn't want to be caught with a gun. The problem is that if you were to have an interaction with the authorities and have the gun discovered, you'd be looking at a possession charge as a convicted felon.
If you need a criminal defense attorney, be sure to contact services such as GLEN ALBRIGHT LAW—especially if any of these scenarios have happened to you.
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