Will a previous fine in the US cause any problems?

[stevensane 10]

Hello,

I am new here so please be kind!

I am a British citizen applying for a K-1 visa on the basis of being engaged to a US citizen.

I am worried about a few issues, but the one I am most concerned about is regarding a fine. I previously lived in the US for 5 months on a J-1 student visa in 2007 when I was 20 years old. As I was a stupid student at the time I was caught with alcohol and given a fine by university campus police for under-age possession of alcohol. This is the only time I have been in trouble with the police in the US, UK or anywhere else - other than that my record is totally clean.

My question is how should I alter our plans for this? Is there a risk it will cause a significant problem? If so, how can I plan around it?

I love my fiancé very much and would hate myself if this stupid mistake 6 years ago caused her any distress.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Steven

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Did you pay the fine?

[stevensane 10]

Did you pay the fine?

Sorry, that is an important bit of information I left out! Yes, I did and I have a receipt.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Fines would be a civil offense at best, and since this was a campus police it doesn't sound like it was brought up with the state/city authorities or you would've had to go to court to pay it and possibly have a hearing.

Campus rules are often not upheld in court, and they're looking more for issues like assault with a weapon, sexual assault, etc. Bigger stuff. This is minor and a college kid being... well a college kid.

Edited July 18, 2013 by d3adc0d3

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

I don't think a MIP (Minor in possession) is a CIMT (Crime Involving Moral Turpitude) so as long as it's not it won't be a big deal. There should be a list of CIMTs somewhere but I don't remember that one being one.

You will need to disclose the details and show your paperwork for it.

How much was the fine?

Edited July 18, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[stevensane 10]

The fine was $250. Quite steep really. I will have to hunt around for the paper work or contact the campus police for more details.

I am worried that if I dont bring this up in the application I might get in trouble. Should this be in the applicatiom or will it be brought up in the interview?? I dont even know if theres a place for it in the applocation...

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

There are some places where they ask "have you ever been arrested, fined" etc and you will say yes and follow the directions.

You shouldn't worry about it. If I had been you I would have appealed and made the claim that in "my" country the drinking age is 18 and I was a foreign national http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86942.pdf

Edited July 18, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[stevensane 10]

Ah I see. Thank you. So other than getting as much paper work for the interview as possible there is no other way I can prepare!

[DJ&L 83]

This does not need to be disclosed on the I-129F. Read the question in the petition: Have you ever been convicted by a court of law (civil or criminal)...for any of the following crimes:

Three or more convictions for crimes related to a controlled substance or alcohol not arising from a single act.

You answer is no, you haven't. One, you weren't convicted of anything and two, it was a single event.

There is no need to disclose this. Answer what is asked of you. Do not volunteer information that they do not ask for.

[stevensane 10]

Ah I see. Thank you. So other than getting as much paper work for the interview as possible there is no other way I can prepare??

[DJ&L 83]

Others have more experience on this but I wouldn't' worry at all about it. Even if you have to disclose it at an interview...getting a ticket in college isn't going to impact your application. In my opinion....of course.

[stevensane 10]

Thank you very much everyone for your input! It is very kind of you all!

[Harsh_77 718]

I dont think it is an issue... I would not worry about it.

[DeniseFrance 14]

The fine was $250. Quite steep really. I will have to hunt around for the paper work or contact the campus police for more details.

I am worried that if I dont bring this up in the application I might get in trouble. Should this be in the applicatiom or will it be brought up in the interview?? I dont even know if theres a place for it in the applocation...

steep? no it isn't because Alcohol Kills....

[stevensane 10]

steep? no it isn't because Alcohol Kills....

Thanks, but not relevant or helpful...

I would like constructive input from people that could help me understand this situation better.

Edited July 19, 2013 by stevensane