criminal record and citizenship

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Melany

Registered Users (C)
hello everyone!
6 years ago i was arrested for petite larceny (SHOPLIFTING for amount of 7 $) .I went to court and my case was dismissed, i paid fine and thats all. Now i am married for 3 years to my american husband, have 2 children and a college student majoring in criminal justice,have my green card (despite this record) and ready to apply for citizenship. I am hesitating because this record might spoil my "good moral character" How will this incident affect their decision to grant me citizenship? If i get my citizenship will i be able to petition for my father right away or must i wait certain time?
Thank you, guys. I am also oiginally from Ukraine and live in New Jersey.
 
good moral character is most important in the last 5 years. tell me u say the case was dismissed but did u plead guilty? if u pled not guilty and case was dismissed then you are fine if not get an attorney and apply
 
Melany said:
hello everyone!
6 years ago i was arrested for petite larceny (SHOPLIFTING for amount of 7 $) .I went to court and my case was dismissed, i paid fine and thats all. Now i am married for 3 years to my american husband, have 2 children and a college student majoring in criminal justice,have my green card (despite this record) and ready to apply for citizenship. I am hesitating because this record might spoil my "good moral character" How will this incident affect their decision to grant me citizenship? If i get my citizenship will i be able to petition for my father right away or must i wait certain time?
Thank you, guys. I am also oiginally from Ukraine and live in New Jersey.
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Yes you committed that crime,at the worst such crimes as this can temporarily bar anyone from becoming a US citizen for a certain amount of time after you committed it.

In your case I would go ahead and tell nothing but the truth I bet your petition will be approved based on the the period of time it happened and of course telling the truth.

Do not let anybody convince you to lie because it can haunt even after you become a citizen.

Sister this is not an aggravated felony that can permanently bar you from becoming a US citizen.

Good luck.
 
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Thank you guys.
I was arrested in april 1998. When my husband petitioned for me i also had to answer the same question. I did told the truth. Om our firs interview officer told me to get letter of disposition from court. I did send it to them and in a month i receved my conditional green card. On this letter of disposition says only date of arrest, date Adjourned?? and date of dismissal april 1999-- CPL section 170.55 (dont know what is this) . I remeber i was told to go classes about shoplifting every saturday for 3 or 4 weeks--i think i just had to pay some 50 or 60 $. They gave me sertificate they i attendeed all days. I had a public lawyer. I dont remember how i pleaded guilty or not since i was scared and didnt know much english.Plaintif were "the people of the state of New york" - it was second hand store.
well, i have my application filled up, i also attached my own letter to them saying that i am different person now and that was just mistake i did because i was young and new to this country.
thank you guys.
 
You should be fine. You were not convicted. It depends on who interviews you. I have seen people get denied over speeding tickets while others with DUI get approved.
Take your deposition with you and pray that you get someone who understands to interview you.
Even if you were convicted, that alone should not bar you becasue it doesin't carry a high jail sentence or over a year's probation.
Goodluck
 
I have a problem. In 2000 I was arrested for shoplifting for amount of $10. But my couse was closed shortly, and I recived all deposite beck without any penalty. From this time I have been 3 times in usa, but last time I was asked If I was arrested. And I said true I was. The img.officer let me go to Usa. But I mean they made record about it. Last year I asked about new visa, and I didn't recive becuse of record...
What can I do? Have I got any chance to get to usa?
 
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