Dangerous driving incident on record

[jeffenburg 9]

Hi everyone,

Whilst I realise that a forum isn't the place for legal advice, I think I'm looking for a little moral support regarding my case and upcoming interview.

Applying for a CR-1 visa in the UK, my spouse is in the USA. Everything has gone really well so far, and our next step is awaiting an interview date. Having done some reading around the net and on this and other forums though, I've managed to get myself into a bit of a lather.

I have a DD10 (dangerous driving) conviction on my record from 1999, when I was 18. After reading about crimes of moral turpitude etc, I'm worried that this might have a very serious negative effect on my application. I had been doing twice the speed limit, and hit a pedestrian (who was injured, but subsequently ok). I was arrested, the case went to magistrates court, and I was banned from driving for a couple of years and did 140hrs community service. There are no other criminal convictions in the 16+ years since.

What are people's thoughts on how this will play out? It's such a long time ago, for me honestly a lifetime ago, I was young and immature, and I've regretted the incident ever since. To have it trawled up and potentially stop my dream move to live with my wife in the US has actually made me very upset.

Any experience or suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

In my neck of the woods, your track record for the last 10 years is more influential than incidents involving youthful 'errors'. At the interview, be truthful and contrite.

Good luck.

[jeffenburg 9]

In my neck of the woods, your track record for the last 10 years is more influential than incidents involving youthful 'errors'. At the interview, be truthful and contrite.

Good luck.

Thanks.

Yes it's very similar here, in fact this wouldn't ever come up if applying for a job etc in the UK. It's no longer on my license, and basically no longer deemed relevant.

I realise the US government has to cover all bases in detail though.

[Penguin_ie 5,985]

yeah, should not be a problem.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks.

Yes it's very similar here, in fact this wouldn't ever come up if applying for a job etc in the UK. It's no longer on my license, and basically no longer deemed relevant.

I realise the US government has to cover all bases in detail though.

Does your police certificate say "no live trace"? That is an indication you have a conviction that is hidden. A clean record will say "no trace".

The embassy will want to see written details of the charge and punishment. Get something from the magistrate court or a Subject Access Report from ACRO in addition to your police certificate.

[jeffenburg 9]

Does your police certificate say "no live trace"? That is an indication you have a conviction that is hidden. A clean record will say "no trace".

The embassy will want to see written details of the charge and punishment. Get something from the magistrate court or a Subject Access Report from ACRO in addition to your police certificate.

Yeah it does. I've ordered a subject access report by post. Hopefully this shows enough information, as I'd rather not go chasing this up with the magistrates.

Given I did community service, do you think they will ask for some kind of proof that this was completed?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Given I did community service, do you think they will ask for some kind of proof that this was completed?

No.

[jeffenburg 9]

Ok, so I today received my Subject Access Report, it's a little worst than I had feared, to be honest. Hopefully I can get some advice regarding the seriousness of this from people on the forum with experience.

There are two arrests and court appearances on my record, as follows:

- September 2000, given 80 hours community service (and 12 month driving ban) for dangerous driving

- August 2002, given 240 hours community service (and 24 month driving ban) for (2x) driving whilst disqualified (and without insurance or MOT)

Whilst I totally understand the serious nature of these offences, they are at the end of the day, driving offences. They also took place when I was 19 and 21 years old respectively. Nothing on reord in the 14 years since.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but now that I have my full access report, I thought I'd see if people think I have any grounds for being inadmissable.

[Penguin_ie 5,985]

Thanks for the update.

I still think you will be ok, as neither of the offences involved being drunk or high, and they were so long ago.