Petitioner with Juvenile Record

[KeepingFaith 0]

Hello all!

 

I am working on the i-129f form, and I'm a little stuck on Part 3 - 2(c).

 

It states, "Three or more arrests or convictions, not from a single act, for crimes relating to a controlled substance or alcohol"

 

In my adult record, I have two convictions relating to marijuana. One is a possession and paraphernalia charge, and the other is possession. So by that standard, I can mark "No" and be ok...

 

However I have more charges somewhere in my juvenile history. I know they can come up because 7 years ago when I was applying for the Marine Corps, my recruiter was able to get my juvenile record. But I can't even remember what the charges were or what...

 

Can I mark no and be ok?

 

EDIT:
 

Just came up on 4.a. "Have you ever been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined, or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance in any country, excluding traffic violations"

 

So I have to mark yes for sure.....darn.

 

I guess I have a lot of calling and ####### to sift through. My juvenile record was extensive....what should I do? I can't even remember all the charges...it was nothing super serious, but there is a record there somewhere.

Edited October 17, 2017 by KeepingFaith

[Going through 5,668]

7 minutes ago, KeepingFaith said:

Hello all!

 

I am working on the i-129f form, and I'm a little stuck on Part 3 - 2(c).

 

It states, "Three or more arrests or convictions, not from a single act, for crimes relating to a controlled substance or alcohol"

 

In my adult record, I have two convictions relating to marijuana. One is a possession and paraphernalia charge, and the other is possession. So by that standard, I can mark "No" and be ok...

 

However I have more charges somewhere in my juvenile history. I know they can come up because 7 years ago when I was applying for the Marine Corps, my recruiter was able to get my juvenile record. But I can't even remember what the charges were or what...

 

Can I mark no and be ok?

 

EDIT:
 

Just came up on 4.a. "Have you ever been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined, or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance in any country, excluding traffic violations"

 

So I have to mark yes for sure.....darn.

 

I guess I have a lot of calling and ####### to sift through. My juvenile record was extensive....what should I do? I can't even remember all the charges...it was nothing super serious, but there is a record there somewhere.

You have to mark "yes" as you already know  

If you can remember the city/state you were residing in at the time you were arrested as a juvenile, you can contact the court house that had jurisdiction over that area to obtain a records search.  They would be able to send you a certified court letter listing the final charge/disposition and date for each case, even though the court records themselves were already destroyed since it was so long ago.

[KeepingFaith 0]

6 minutes ago, Going through said:

You have to mark "yes" as you already know  

If you can remember the city/state you were residing in at the time you were arrested as a juvenile, you can contact the court house that had jurisdiction over that area to obtain a records search.  They would be able to send you a certified court letter listing the final charge/disposition and date for each case, even though the court records themselves were already destroyed since it was so long ago.

So I just have to call each court house where something happened, provide my info/what I'm trying to do, and they should be able to point me in the right direction?

 

Then I can use whatever documents they provide to provide additional info in Part 8 (Additional Info)? And just attach the documents the send me to my petition packet?

 

Thanks for the speedy response!

Edited October 17, 2017 by KeepingFaith

[patientguyinlove 92]

For juvenile records, I don't believe you even need to remember the city name.

Google the state name and "juvenile record request" and you should find instructions on how to obtain the juvenile records.

 

For adult criminal records, you need to contact the courthouse that you were arraigned at. 

 

 

[Going through 5,668]

Just now, KeepingFaith said:

So I just have to call each court house where something happened, provide my info/what I'm trying to do, and they should be able to point me in the right direction?

When I did it, I gave my legal name (my maiden name) at the time of my arrest, as well as my birthdate and any other information about the charge I could remember.   The court clerk is the person whom you want to contact.

[KeepingFaith 0]

15 minutes ago, patientguyinlove said:

For juvenile records, I don't believe you even need to remember the city name.

Google the state name and "juvenile record request" and you should find instructions on how to obtain the juvenile records.

 

For adult criminal records, you need to contact the courthouse that you were arraigned at. 

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, Going through said:

When I did it, I gave my legal name (my maiden name) at the time of my arrest, as well as my birthdate and any other information about the charge I could remember.   The court clerk is the person whom you want to contact.

 

 

Yeah, I just found the clerk's email. I will shoot a message over explaining the situation and hopefully she can help me out. Maybe she will know exactly what I need. Just another hitch in the process, but it's not a big deal because my girlfriend/fiance is still thinking about whether she wants to come or not, lol.

 

We were shooting to file by December so I have plenty of time to sort this out! I hope...

[Going through 5,668]

Just now, KeepingFaith said:

 

 

 

Yeah, I just found the clerk's email. I will shoot a message over explaining the situation and hopefully she can help me out. Maybe she will know exactly what I need. Just another hitch in the process, but it's not a big deal because my girlfriend/fiance is still thinking about whether she wants to come or not, lol.

 

We were shooting to file by December so I have plenty of time to sort this out! I hope...

From my  experience, it's better to call rather than email.  Emails get overlooked, not responded to, etc.  On the phone you are talking with a live person so a bit harder for them to ignore your inquiry until they "get around to looking at their emails"...  

[KeepingFaith 0]

Just now, Going through said:

From my  experience, it's better to call rather than email.  Emails get overlooked, not responded to, etc.  On the phone you are talking with a live person so a bit harder for them to ignore your inquiry until they "get around to looking at their emails"...  

Oh I am going to call as well believe that!

 

It just makes me feel better to do at least something right now and this is the only thing I can at this time. I work all day tomorrow but I should be able to squeeze a call in.

 

Thanks for all the help.

[Boiler 43,437]

Sounds like Lawyer time.

[Going through 5,668]

1 minute ago, KeepingFaith said:

Oh I am going to call as well believe that!

 

It just makes me feel better to do at least something right now and this is the only thing I can at this time. I work all day tomorrow but I should be able to squeeze a call in.

 

Thanks for all the help.

Best of luck with your filing.

 

I know you are the petitioner, so it's not like you'll have to worry about submitting them again with future immigration-related applications (like the beneficiary would have to if she had a criminal history)...but I would also advise you, that whatever the court clerk can give you, order at least 1 more certified copy of it in case you ever need it for something else down the road...ya never know, and as you can see, it's a pain to get them in your hands when needed.

[KeepingFaith 0]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Sounds like Lawyer time.

I was thinking that too...but I just can't really afford it.

 

I know that sounds bad because how will I support my wife and everything like that....

 

I'm just 24, and I was making some stupid choices when I was younger. At least I have my Associate's degree, and I have a co-sponsor for the affidavit of support. My plan would be to live at home over the next two years while I finish my Bachelor's degree in Information Science, and land a good job straight out of school.

 

Even the filing fee is going to put a hurting on me, plus her transportation costs, whatever she needs for the medical and traveling to Moscow for the interview, and yadda yadda. Requiring a lawyer would seem to make this unfeasible / impossible. I think I can do it by myself, especially with the help of this forum. I recently picked up a second job and I am working some 14 hour days to try and make this all happen.

 

It's really depressing and discouraging to realize that bureaucracy, governments, and MONEY can stand in the way of love like this.

 

I've never regretted the stupid choices I made in my past more. But at least no matter what happens with this situation she motivated me to become a better person and get my ####### together. Maybe that's the only reason she came in to my life, but I really hope we can be together again.

[Going through 5,668]

If you feel the need to talk to a lawyer, try to search out immigration lawyers that give free or low-cost consultations.  And speak to more than one about your concerns and see what they say.  Talking to a lawyer doesn't mean you have to hire him.

Edited October 17, 2017 by Going through

[KeepingFaith 0]

Well I called the court and it's simple, just go in with ID and they have certified case summaries ready for me.

 

But my girlfriend told me not to go pay for it yet because she still doesn't know if she wants to come back or not =/

 

So yeah...still waiting for her to make a decision I guess but at least I know how to do it.