something i just remembered is now worrying.me

[IamIan 14]

Hello all.

I just got my police certificate and subject access back. It has one arrest and caution on there. It was a dumb minor thing when I was 18. I stole 3 or 4 books from a bookshop I worked at.

Here's the problem - I didn't know I was convicted. As far as I was concerned, it was a slap on the wrists and released. This was nearly 12 years ago. But I have never declared it on esta when travelling to USA. I'd just put it to the back of my mind and forgot all about it until the subject access came back.

My police certificate says No Live Trace.

Will this effect my greencard application?

Maybe it's a silly question (I hope so anyway), just this process is such a big deal for everyone on here and myself... I'm a bit on edge about it going wrong.

Thanks everybody.

[IamIan 14]

Ah wait, I just reread the esta questions, it's only for if you have been arrest or convicted of a serious crime.

I'm glad the books won't stop me from getting a greencard, I never even got round to reading them.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Yes you should be fine on ESTA.

[Boiler 43,704]

It is a CIMT that matters. Theft can be a CIMT, depends.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/us-immigration-citizenship-visas-34/crimes-involving-moral-turpitude-broad-overview-559272/

[IamIan 14]

Hello. We are just at NVC now awaiting the IV fee to be made payable. Things have really moved forward to last few days, but the more they do, the more I'm worried about things going wrong.

I'm getting worried about a couple of incidents 11 years ago when I was 18. It asks on the Ds260 if I have ever been arrested/convicted. Obviously I will answer yes.

I have one caution and one arrest. The caution was for stealing a couple of books from the bookshop I worked at. The second time was related to this, I was arrested for defending myself against my uncle who was annoyed at me getting arrested for stealing the books.

Could these really effect the process? They were so long ago I'd more or less forgotten about them.

Thanks. Ian.

Edited February 1, 2016 by IamIan

[Merrytooth 5,748]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/582821-something-i-just-remembered-is-now-worryingme/

Pay attention to Boiler's post.

[IamIan 14]

Yeah but I'm still not sure. Do they take into account how long ago it was? And, is theft always a cimt?

[Ryan H 3,796]

Duplicate threads merged; do not start multiple threads on the same topic.

[jam2016 10]

Yeah but I'm still not sure. Do they take into account how long ago it was? And, is theft always a cimt?

It's best to consult with your local police department and find out how they classify your case / record.

[CharlotteLister 0]

Hi IAmIan

just came across your post and thought i would reply to you on my experience with this.

I have no live trace on my police certificate too from a shoplifting incident when i was 14 years old. I ticked yes on the DS-160 to 'have you ever been arrested?' because i was, even though it was a reprimand, it was still an arrest. As you were possibly a minor at the time you shouldn't have any problems and also since it was so long ago!

Though, I would recommend getting a Subject Access Report which shows exactly what the crimes were and the actions that were taken. I feel like this helped my situation to show the age, the crime and the action that was taken. They can take about 40 days to arrive so would move quickly if your interview is coming up shortly!

I know that one crime of moral turpitude as a minor falls under the exception - which still makes you eligible for a visa. So the stealing of the books won't be an issue and your arrest doesn't sound like a mortal turpitude crime.

The best thing to do is be honest about the incidents. I even wrote some additional comments explaining how i was an impressionable teenager and it was so out of character for me to do such thing. Although this wasn't needed at the interview, i think it's something to have at hand if things turn sour.

Maybe prepare yourself for ESTA questions but you should be fine.

Hope this helps!

[IamIan 14]

Hi IAmIan

just came across your post and thought i would reply to you on my experience with this.

I have no live trace on my police certificate too from a shoplifting incident when i was 14 years old. I ticked yes on the DS-160 to 'have you ever been arrested?' because i was, even though it was a reprimand, it was still an arrest. As you were possibly a minor at the time you shouldn't have any problems and also since it was so long ago!

Though, I would recommend getting a Subject Access Report which shows exactly what the crimes were and the actions that were taken. I feel like this helped my situation to show the age, the crime and the action that was taken. They can take about 40 days to arrive so would move quickly if your interview is coming up shortly!

I know that one crime of moral turpitude as a minor falls under the exception - which still makes you eligible for a visa. So the stealing of the books won't be an issue and your arrest doesn't sound like a mortal turpitude crime.

The best thing to do is be honest about the incidents. I even wrote some additional comments explaining how i was an impressionable teenager and it was so out of character for me to do such thing. Although this wasn't needed at the interview, i think it's something to have at hand if things turn sour.

Maybe prepare yourself for ESTA questions but you should be fine.

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much Charlotte. That helps tons. I think in situations like this, where it means alot, the natural thing is to worry that even the smallest thing could ruin it.

Thankfully I was honest on the Ds260 and admitted to the arrests and such. I doubt they will be an issue. Now I'm just waiting for nvc to complete my case.

Thanks again for your help.

Edited February 20, 2016 by IamIan

[nobbie 105]

Get a subject access report from the police force concerned