Question about arrest record when I don't have one

[cle_w2000 2]

This could be a stupid question.

I am scheduled for an interview on April 12. And today I received the yellow letter from USCIS telling me that "You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents in which you may have been involved, bring originals or certified copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved"

The thing is, I have never been arrested. I had a parking ticket and a speeding ticket. And somewhere on this board, I read that I need to report those on N400 forms. So I don't have any arrest records. I can find the print outs of the checks that I used to pay for both tickets, but I could not find the original copy of these tickets. What's the best way to resolve this situation?

Thanks. Any inputs would be much appreciated.

Besides, I thought you don't need to include any evidence for fines lower than 500 dollars. I indicated both cases that the fines were below 500 dollars.

This could be a stupid question.

I am scheduled for an interview on April 12. And today I received the yellow letter from USCIS telling me that "You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents in which you may have been involved, bring originals or certified copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved"

The thing is, I have never been arrested. I had a parking ticket and a speeding ticket. And somewhere on this board, I read that I need to report those on N400 forms. So I don't have any arrest records. I can find the print outs of the checks that I used to pay for both tickets, but I could not find the original copy of these tickets. What's the best way to resolve this situation?

Thanks. Any inputs would be much appreciated.

[antda 13]

Hi Cle_w2000,

Lol..No questions are stupid...So to answer your question:

I posted this last year on another VJ message thread for someone else, but I thought it could help you here too...

Good too, that you were honest about the traffic ticket and disclosed of such, as they are going to find out anyways, and you might as well tell such now. In terms of how to get more info about that, if I were you, I would go to your local courthouse and/or police station, to see if they have documents regarding such, and that you paid such, and is not on your record. Don't worry, a lot of people get traffic tickets, so no big deal there, and I don't think that would affect your case, as long as you disclose of it. Just tell the truth when asked about it, and you should be ok there.

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your journey.

Ant

P.S. You might want to change/update your current profile status to: Naturalization (pending) instead of Removal of Conditions

This could be a stupid question.

I am scheduled for an interview on April 12. And today I received the yellow letter from USCIS telling me that "You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents in which you may have been involved, bring originals or certified copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved"

The thing is, I have never been arrested. I had a parking ticket and a speeding ticket. And somewhere on this board, I read that I need to report those on N400 forms. So I don't have any arrest records. I can find the print outs of the checks that I used to pay for both tickets, but I could not find the original copy of these tickets. What's the best way to resolve this situation?

Thanks. Any inputs would be much appreciated.

Besides, I thought you don't need to include any evidence for fines lower than 500 dollars. I indicated both cases that the fines were below 500 dollars.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[v333k 59]

Hi Cle_w2000,

Lol..No questions are stupid...So to answer your question:

I posted this last year on another VJ message thread for someone else, but I thought it could help you here too...

Good too, that you were honest about the traffic ticket and disclosed of such, as they are going to find out anyways, and you might as well tell such now. In terms of how to get more info about that, if I were you, I would go to your local courthouse and/or police station, to see if they have documents regarding such, and that you paid such, and is not on your record. Don't worry, a lot of people get traffic tickets, so no big deal there, and I don't think that would affect your case, as long as you disclose of it. Just tell the truth when asked about it, and you should be ok there.

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your journey.

Ant

P.S. You might want to change/update your current profile status to: Naturalization (pending) instead of Removal of Conditions

I don't know if this will help, but I wonder if you call them or schedule an infopass and see if they can provide you with details on the arrest record they see, and then as Ant suggested you provide a record from your courthouse or local police showing a "clean bill of health".... aside from the traffic tickets.

Good luck!

[Kanyiri 0]

You can get a copy of the tickets from the courthouse and bring them with you to the interview.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Hogwash. Let me say that again: Hogwash!

If you didn't tell 'em you had been arrested, it's a clerical error on their part. All you have to do is tell them at the interview and that's the end of the story. No need trying to get arrested now in order to comply.

And, yes, or no, nobody gives a rat's behind about the fact that you got a parking ticket and a speeding ticket shortly after Dinosaurs roamed the Earth. What they want to know before declaring you a US citizen is if you eat little children for breakfast or chop up old Ladies.

You need to relax, Dude. I mean, really.

[shadowboxer 0]

Hello,

To my great amusement I received the same letter shortly after my biometrics appointment. For a moment I even considered xeroxing and framing the thing.

The way I understand it, answering yes to any question of the section about arrests and citations triggers the yellow letter

Just like you, I disclosed a speeding ticket with a fine of $210. I did not submit any evidence for this with my application as the guidelines state clearly that any traffic violations under $500 do not need to be "proven".

However, the issue came up during my interview and I was glad that I had brought a copy of the ticket as well as the check I had written to pay the fine. The officer took a copy of both "documents" and that was the end of it.

As the previous posters stated- just relax... you will be fine.

Wishing you smooth sailing for the rest of your journey,

Rebecca

Edited March 13, 2010 by shadowboxer

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Did you check off that you had been arrested? Or did you just make reference to the fact that you had been fined for the speeding tickets? Although you don't need evidence of traffic related offenses, in this case you might just want to bring copies of the tickets and your cancelled cheques just so you don't get delayed by someone becoming overly officious or nit-picky and asking for them as proof that you were not arrested.

If you did check off that you had been arrested, then you need to explain in the interview that you weren't arrested but you were being very honest and declared your two traffic offenses, and that you have the evidence of those with you if they wish to see them. Since your biometrics check will come back showing you have no criminal offenses you should be fine.

If you didn't check off the yes box to that question, then then bring your copy of your application (I hope you made one) with you to show that you didn't check 'yes' there. In that case, it is as JustBob stated - a clerical error on their part and won't be a problem.

It is better to be safe than sorry so don't worry about disclosing the traffic violations. I had an old 'windsurfing without a life-jacket' offense from 1988 and the way the application is worded I needed to disclose it - again - plus include documentation. At the interview, the IO looked at the report, smiled and just moved past it. So, once you explain the mix-up about the 'arrest' check mark on your form, you should be fine.

Good luck.

[SunDrop 59]

I had an old 'windsurfing without a life-jacket' offense from 1988

Instant grounds for denial, surely That's got to be the best 'offense' I've ever seen!

[MoroccanInTexas 24]

I think you will get an automatic yellow letter if you answer yes to any of the questions. I received a letter like that, and on the day of the interview I explained the issue to the officer, and she said not to worry about it. She even did not ask me for any supporting documents. Now I am waiting for my oath letter.

To be on the safe side take proof of payment, and copy of the tickets from the court.

Good luck

[ziko 0]

This could be a stupid question.

I am scheduled for an interview on April 12. And today I received the yellow letter from USCIS telling me that "You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents in which you may have been involved, bring originals or certified copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved"

The thing is, I have never been arrested. I had a parking ticket and a speeding ticket. And somewhere on this board, I read that I need to report those on N400 forms. So I don't have any arrest records. I can find the print outs of the checks that I used to pay for both tickets, but I could not find the original copy of these tickets. What's the best way to resolve this situation?

Thanks. Any inputs would be much appreciated.

Besides, I thought you don't need to include any evidence for fines lower than 500 dollars. I indicated both cases that the fines were below 500 dollars.

I received the same letter today ( yellow letter ) and it said same thing as yours ,and me too i disclosed the 2 speeding ticket i got on the form . but i do have a copy of originals ticket and proof that i paid them .

[cle_w2000 2]

Yes i understand that it is not a bid deal.

Just that I did not bother to keep an original ticket for my record when i had to mail in the ticket.

I will try to go to RMV and try to get a record from them. Was able to print out a copy of the check though.

Hello,

To my great amusement I received the same letter shortly after my biometrics appointment. For a moment I even considered xeroxing and framing the thing.

The way I understand it, answering yes to any question of the section about arrests and citations triggers the yellow letter

Just like you, I disclosed a speeding ticket with a fine of $210. I did not submit any evidence for this with my application as the guidelines state clearly that any traffic violations under $500 do not need to be "proven".

However, the issue came up during my interview and I was glad that I had brought a copy of the ticket as well as the check I had written to pay the fine. The officer took a copy of both "documents" and that was the end of it.

As the previous posters stated- just relax... you will be fine.

Wishing you smooth sailing for the rest of your journey,

Rebecca

[ziia 9]

Bring a copy of your speeding ticket with you. I had nothing on my record but I still had to go get my record from the DMV. Everything can be done in a matter of minutes. As for the "you indicated you've been arrested" part, don't sweat about it. Just take the copy of the speeding ticket and the driving record and explain the situation at the moment you have the face to face interview with the officer. He/she will correct the issue.

Edited March 15, 2010 by ziia

[cle_w2000 2]

I see. So I can get a copy from DMV of the ticket? I did not keep a copy of it.

It seems to work differently in MA, since I do not go to court for a traffic ticket.

Bring a copy of your speeding ticket with you. I had nothing on my record but I still had to go get my record from the DMV. Everything can be done in a matter of minutes. As for the "you indicated you've been arrested" part, don't sweat about it. Just take the copy of the speeding ticket and the driving record and explain the situation at the moment you have the face to face interview with the officer. He/she will correct the issue.

[ziia 9]

I see. So I can get a copy from DMV of the ticket? I did not keep a copy of it.

It seems to work differently in MA, since I do not go to court for a traffic ticket.

You can obtain a copy of your driving record from the DMV but my guess is that copies of speeding tickets you'd get from the police department that issued the ticket. If you don't know what department, you can try the courthouse in the county or city in which you received the ticket and the clerk on duty can guide you from there to find out what police department issued it. From what I know this is pretty standard no matter of state.

Edited March 15, 2010 by ziia

[cle_w2000 2]

Just to update. I did go to DMV to ask for a printout of the ticket. Also I had a copy of the check to pay for the fine. I did not bother with the parking ticket.

Today during my interview, the IO just confirmed that there was no arrest and I just had to mail in an administrative fine to pay for the ticket and that was the end of it. He did not ask to see any proofs.