DS-230 Q41

[johnnyandi 0]

Hi All,

I am just starting my visa journey and trying to be as prepared as possible to help things run smoothly. I recently downloaded the DS-230 and started filling it out. I came to Q41 -

"Have you ever been charged, arrested or convicted of any offense or crime? (If answer is Yes, please explain)'

I have been arrested a few times for stupid stuff (last time 8 years ago), mostly drunk and disorderly, but I have never had to go to court for any of these offenses. They all resulted in a night in the watch house (drunk tank) and let go in the morning.

My question is how will this affect my visa application ??

As far as I am aware I do not have any criminal convictions on my record ( a police officer friend recently checked my record). I will be getting a person check (in Queensland, Australia) and a national fingerprint check which should tell the story of my past.

I am just a little uneasy about how it will look on paper and in an interview.

I would love to hear from anyone who was/is in the same situation

Cheers,

John

p.s. I have read something about a petty offense act, does anyone know about this and if it list offences covered under this act ?

[TheSahlis 10]

Hi All,

I am just starting my visa journey and trying to be as prepared as possible to help things run smoothly. I recently downloaded the DS-230 and started filling it out. I came to Q41 -

"Have you ever been charged, arrested or convicted of any offense or crime? (If answer is Yes, please explain)'

I have been arrested a few times for stupid stuff (last time 8 years ago), mostly drunk and disorderly, but I have never had to go to court for any of these offenses. They all resulted in a night in the watch house (drunk tank) and let go in the morning.

My question is how will this affect my visa application ??

As far as I am aware I do not have any criminal convictions on my record ( a police officer friend recently checked my record). I will be getting a person check (in Queensland, Australia) and a national fingerprint check which should tell the story of my past.

I am just a little uneasy about how it will look on paper and in an interview.

I would love to hear from anyone who was/is in the same situation

Cheers,

John

p.s. I have read something about a petty offense act, does anyone know about this and if it list offenses covered under this act ?

report the arrests truthfully what ever you do do not lie about it. As you have no convictions getting arrested is not looked at very harshly, they are more worried about convicted persons with violent or drug related time plus the amount of time spent in prison. I wouldn't sweat it to much, if your completely truthful you should be right.

as far as petty offenses never heard that term we have misdemeanors and felonies with felonies being the worst. and a list would take up volumes of books, we have had 250 years of politicians both local, state, and federal making hundreds of new laws each year and no body ever goes back and takes out the old and stupid ones.

Mike