Should he report this incident in N-400? Part 10. Section D.

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CBlinx

Registered Users (C)
A colleague of mine at work is about to file N-400 application. In his hometown, he run a red light and got caught by an intersection camera. He received a letter (citation?) from a private company (not the city police) that runs the city cameras. He paid a fine of $50 with the understanding that his case will NOT be communicated to the city law enforcement officiers as long as he pays the fine on time, which was the case. According to fine print in the letter, the proceeds go to the city to help with schools, road repairs...,etc.
I could not give an advice whether he should report this in N-400 or not. Could you please advice if he should report this incident. Thanks.
 
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I do not think there is a need to report this given that it is definitive non-governmental money collection effort rather than citation. Citations are usually closed by working with a court (even if it is a mailed in payment). Don't worry about it.
 
if its a citation you should put it on the application. you could show the IO at the interview the receipt of the payment. if you dont report it, you could bring it to the attention of the IO at the interview. If you choose not to do either, its still not a big issue. running a red light will most likely not have any impact on your naturalization process.DUIs, DWIs and such with fines beyond $500 might have certain impact though.
 
Red light camera tickets are considered legal citations. Private entities are authorized by the state to record violations and issue tickets.
 
In the city website, it says that "Citations for 'camera enforced' red light violations are civil penalties, similar to a parking ticket. No record of the violation goes to your insurance company or the Division of Motor Vehicles." Should civil penalties be reported in N-400 application? Thanks.
 
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sreeleshk said:
if its a citation you should put it on the application. you could show the IO at the interview the receipt of the payment. if you dont report it, you could bring it to the attention of the IO at the interview. If you choose not to do either, its still not a big issue. running a red light will most likely not have any impact on your naturalization process.DUIs, DWIs and such with fines beyond $500 might have certain impact though.
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Red camera citation - this is in case if you caught by PO. And if you got a ticket in regular mail, I wouldn't worry about it at all. It even doesn't go on your record. Plus, how would they prove that was the original owner of the car driving through the red light? With the same success anyone else could have driven your car, let's say your dog;)


In fact, I got this ticket mailed to me exactly on same day after I have sent my N-400, and so far I have no clue if I'm gonna disclose this matter (interview within 3 days).
 
According to information posted on this forum a while back (Thanks, Bobsmyth!), the State of California uses facial recognition software and issues red light camera tickets to the drivers. There are also points associated with such offenses. However, the majority of states treat red light camera tickets as a civil fine and issue it to the vehicle. As such, regardless of who was behind the wheel, the fine becomes the owner's liability.

To the OP: unless your friend received this notice in California, tell him/her not to bother disclosing it. This is an equivalent of a parking ticket. Moreover, per USCIS's own instructions, minor traffic tickets of under $500 do not need to be disclosed, regardless of who issued them.
 
Vorpal said:
According to information posted on this forum a while back (Thanks, Bobsmyth!), the State of California uses facial recognition software and issues red light camera tickets to the drivers. There are also points associated with such offenses. However, the majority of states treat red light camera tickets as a civil fine and issue it to the vehicle. As such, regardless of who was behind the wheel, the fine becomes the owner's liability.

To the OP: unless your friend received this notice in California, tell him/her not to bother disclosing it. This is an equivalent of a parking ticket. Moreover, per USCIS's own instructions, minor traffic tickets of under $500 do not need to be disclosed, regardless of who issued them.
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Thanks Vorpal and to all who posted an answer,
The incident occurred in N.C. and it's considered a civil penalty, similar to a parking ticket. I seems like he should not bother reporting this in N-400...
 
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CBlinx said:
Thanks Vorpal and to all who posted an answer,
The incident occurred in N.C. and it's considered a civil penalty, similar to a parking ticket. I seems like he should not bother reporting this in N-400...
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He can just report it for fun. And after oath he can brag to others he become a citizen by honestly disclosing a "crime" he commoited. That will cause great respect among his social circles.
 
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