My criteria include

"2) CRIMINAL HISTORY:

No convictions for any drug possession crime in the last ten years.

No convictions ever, for any drug distribution or intent to distribute.

No conviction for a violent crime (simple assault, misdemeanor) in the last ten years.

No convictions ever, for a violent crime (Aggravated assault, felony, weapon) "

Have an inquiry from someone who says "It was carjacking convicted in 1993. Did my time five years and never went back. I have my voteding rights restore."

Not being all that familiar with criminal classifications, It sounds like a felony if he had to restore his right to vote. But is it automatically violent to carjack? Like if no weapon was involved?

I may be willing to take him as a roomer, IF all else checked out, but this is one area I am weak - knowledge of what different charges mean. And want to dot all my "i"s

The us criminal justice system is built on plea bargains, something like 90-95% of cases are disposed that way. The actual crime that the prosecutor could convict at trial is higher, more serious.

A felony for carjacking , even if the charge on paper says "no weapon" could very well have involved a weapon and the prosecutor offered a lower charge for plea.

Yes, David - I'm thinking that, too - everything is plead down, but you just can't tell.

I would say no violent charges, ever. Car jacking is one of the most aggressive violent crimes out there. It is one of few crimes where in my state and numerous others, lethal force against car jacking is specifically authorized by law.

DJ,

Just be aware your words are in violation of the recent HUD guidelines (of which I disapprove) by flatly denying felons. They want you to “consider” each crime.

Me? 26 years ago? Did his time? Worth a second look.

Good points, all.

Except Brad: My understanding is that you can't just eliminate them (convicted criminals) all, but need to discriminate such as: DQ violent felonies, but not those that were non-violent; but charged with a felony because the stuff they stole was worth $X.xx That is what I'm trying to do.

And I think they actually still allow us to deny drug dealers.

I'm going to deny him. I think it's appropriate based on my current, written criteria.

DJ,

The HUD Guideline is VERY vague. Be careful to not place our own values or criteria on the liberal govt's plan and rules.

I don't want you to be the test case.

Paulio PA - LOL at your post. Goggle "Sig MPX Tacops" if you politely ask me to steal my car, that is my newest aquisition and how I will answer, and mine is suppressed, because who wants to blow their ear drums out shooting a carjacker. LOL

Hey I'm not paranoid, the entire Vegas and NW AZ area is going to H in a bucket faster than we can plug the leaks. OK, I'm paranoid. :D

In Pennsylvania, I can see the entire record. Original charge, final charge, sentence, violations of probation/parole, etc. I can see if the fines and costs are paid monthly - whether it be the offender, his/her job or mama.

I'd have a tough time, personally. Some 20-something punk walked into my octogenarian parents' house and demanded their cars keys. When they refused, he punched Dad, breaking his nose - then shoved Mom to the floor. He grabbed her purse and took the car.

He was caught that night, 75 miles south. Car was smashed up in the police chase. Turned out that he'd done the same thing earlier in the day to another elderly man. In Florida, criminals do double time for assaulting seniors. For assaulting three seniors and for two counts of grand theft auto, he will be in jail until HE is a senior.