multiple non-traffic civil citations and citizenship application

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cercides

Registered Users (C)
Hello!

I'm about to send off my application for citizenship, but I have some concerns about four tickets I received (and paid) within the space of 2 years (August 2005-September 2006). There was 1 ticket for underage drinking, one ticket for public consumption of alcohol, one NYC subway violation for "Non Payment of Fare," and another subway violation for "Entering Restricted Area."

I have dispositions for 3 of them and a court document for the underage drinking ticket that states the amount of the fine, although I have no proof that I paid the fine (I sent a letter to the court asking for a disposition and this is what they sent me). I have no copies of the original tickets or any other documentation.

I plan on sending in the application and, in the meantime, calling the court again and seeing what they can do.

Do you think these tickets are likely to hurt my chances of becoming a citizen? Will dispositions be enough? I've had my greencard for 9 years and I have no other legal issues.
 
One is bad enough, Four is extreme, i would say lawyer up. You are in the right direction by getting dispositions...
 
If the 4 tickets can be completely outside the review period (past 5 years), it may be a smaller issue. When I say completely outside ... that implies their closure / disposition date should be more than 5 years back.
 
Incognegro said:
One is bad enough, Four is extreme, i would say lawyer up. You are in the right direction by getting dispositions...
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I don't see how it's "extreme." None of them are CIMTs (or even "crimes," technically), as far as I know, except under the broadest possible definition. I was a stupid 19 year old at the time, and I hope to be able to explain that to the IO. People here seem to do fine with DWIs and domestic violence convictions, which are both legally and morally worse than the four of my tickets put together. I appreciate that you're trying to help, though, thanks. I'll definitely consult a lawyer if I run into problems at the interview.

If the 4 tickets can be completely outside the review period (past 5 years), it may be a smaller issue. When I say completely outside ... that implies their closure / disposition date should be more than 5 years back.
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3 of them are 100% outside, the closure date for the 4th (a $25 public drinking ticket) is November 28th, so it'll depend on my interview date, I guess.

I suppose it's possible I'll be denied GMC due to being a habitual drunkard, but I haven't really heard of that happening to anyone.
 
Oh, and I called the court for the 4th ticket and they're going to send me a receipt with my check number and a zero balance, which I'll bring to the interview in case they ask. I'll keep this thread updated as I move through the process.
 
I highly doubt that you'll be denied for civil infractions. With regards to being a habitual drunkard (an alcoholic), two tickets for alcohol-related offenses don't make you one. As long as you provide all applicable documentation, you should be fine.
 
cercides said:
I don't see how it's "extreme." None of them are CIMTs (or even "crimes," technically), as far as I know, except under the broadest possible definition. I was a stupid 19 year old at the time, and I hope to be able to explain that to the IO. People here seem to do fine with DWIs and domestic violence convictions, which are both legally and morally worse than the four of my tickets put together. I appreciate that you're trying to help, though, thanks. I'll definitely consult a lawyer if I run into problems at the interview.
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I know your issues are small, and it is true many people with bigger problems than you can get approved. However, please do not get into an argument with the IO about why your crimes are worse than others. It is a losing discussion.

There have been people in NY who have suffered due to MTA non payment issues (I am not familiar with NY so replace MTA by the right authority and search). NY seems to come down exceptionally hard on these issues. It also depends on the IO. Be hopeful and optimistic, but at the same time recognize that you have multiple issues (which you do otherwise you would not be asking) and keep the explanations to explanations (why it happened and how sorry you are) and do not get into comparisons.

[ADD] Having said that, I agree with Vorpal. My comments are purely from self-defense perspective if it comes to that.
 
sanjoseaug20 said:
I know your issues are small, and it is true many people with bigger problems than you can get approved. However, please do not get into an argument with the IO about why your crimes are worse than others. It is a losing discussion.

There have been people in NY who have suffered due to MTA non payment issues (I am not familiar with NY so replace MTA by the right authority and search). NY seems to come down exceptionally hard on these issues. It also depends on the IO. Be hopeful and optimistic, but at the same time recognize that you have multiple issues (which you do otherwise you would not be asking) and keep the explanations to explanations (why it happened and how sorry you are) and do not get into comparisons.
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Oh, definitely. If challenged I will be in full grovel mode.
 
Actually, I know it's weird, but "non payment of fare" is a distinct civil violation handled by the MTA itself. My disposition specifically says "civil."
 
cercides said:
Actually, I know it's weird, but "non payment of fare" is a distinct civil violation handled by the MTA itself. My disposition specifically says "civil."
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You may have lucked out and had the ticket issued by a cop belonging to the transit division of NYPD. In any case, that only makes your situation easier.
 
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