Tosta Dojen
Regular Member
I'll let my missive do the talking on this one. The law establishing a $50 maximum fee for a CHP application has been in effect since 1997. I wonder how many thousands of dollars in ill-gotten fees the court has collected over how many years? I guess we're about to find out.
Ms. Hamilton:
On Friday, October 14, I went to your office to renew my Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit. I was surprised to learn that you are charging $52 for a CHP application, as this exceeds the maximum amount that can be charged by law. A clerk named Connie explained that your office charges an additional $2 fee for copies of documents that are sent to the Roanoke Police Academy. The website for your office gives substantially the same explanation. Because I was unwilling to pay this additional fee, my application was not accepted.
Virginia Code §18.2-308(K) clearly states that "[t]he total amount assessed for processing an application for a permit shall not exceed $50." Furthermore, the fee is itemized, with $10 allocated to the Clerk of the Court "for the processing of an application or issuing of a permit, including his costs associated with the consultation with law-enforcement agencies." (Emphasis supplied.)
By charging an additional fee over and above the statutory maximum, you are in direct violation of state law. Moreover, because you are already receiving funds for the fee's stated purpose, the fee is completely unwarranted.
I insist that you immediately bring the fee charged to CHP applicants into compliance with state law. I will be returning to your office on Monday, October 24 to resubmit my renewal application. I expect that when I do so I will not be illegally overcharged. I would also like to be advised of how you will be refunding applicants who have been illegally overcharged in the past.
Ms. Hamilton:
On Friday, October 14, I went to your office to renew my Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit. I was surprised to learn that you are charging $52 for a CHP application, as this exceeds the maximum amount that can be charged by law. A clerk named Connie explained that your office charges an additional $2 fee for copies of documents that are sent to the Roanoke Police Academy. The website for your office gives substantially the same explanation. Because I was unwilling to pay this additional fee, my application was not accepted.
Virginia Code §18.2-308(K) clearly states that "[t]he total amount assessed for processing an application for a permit shall not exceed $50." Furthermore, the fee is itemized, with $10 allocated to the Clerk of the Court "for the processing of an application or issuing of a permit, including his costs associated with the consultation with law-enforcement agencies." (Emphasis supplied.)
By charging an additional fee over and above the statutory maximum, you are in direct violation of state law. Moreover, because you are already receiving funds for the fee's stated purpose, the fee is completely unwarranted.
I insist that you immediately bring the fee charged to CHP applicants into compliance with state law. I will be returning to your office on Monday, October 24 to resubmit my renewal application. I expect that when I do so I will not be illegally overcharged. I would also like to be advised of how you will be refunding applicants who have been illegally overcharged in the past.
Last edited by a moderator:
