DWI will it affect my visa or in issuing a new I20

[dhoang]

Hey guys,
I got a DWI yesterday while driving in Minnesota, almost a mile from my house. no accident no injuries nothing. My test score was 0.15. I'm 19, underage, international student from Vietnam. I am planning to change university for this spring semester. This is my first time breaking the law in the US and my record was very clean until then. The police made me do some breathtest, have picture taken, fingerprint and all that and he let me go home after 3 hours of paper work.
My question is:
-Will this affect my F1 VISA and will the new university issue a new I-20 for me regardless of my DWI?
_ Is DWI a very serious problem? Will I still be able to find a job in America after graduating? Any consequences?
My first court date will be on Jan 30th. Can anyone give me some advice of wht to do. Do you think i should hire a lawyer (cost 2000)or just need a public defender for the case because i talked to a lawyer and she said there is very low chance i could pass without any bad record. So i just figure myself if hiring a lawyer can't do much saving myself, why not i just try to save some money and pay for the fine (maximum 1000$)
Thanks everyone,
Any response is very appreciated.

 

[ananga73]

Nineteen year old drunk, don't worry you should be fine.

The new university will issue you a new I20

YES DWI is a bad bad offense. It can prevent you from getting some jobs, sure and several other consequences however it is not the end of the world. Senators, governors, and even one or two presidents have still gone on to greater heights after DWI.

From what you're saying, looks like your case is a pretty open and shut guilty case so you may as well save the money. However if your parents are some rich big shots, some of those high priced lawyers can work wonders. You never know.

Be very careful as you go about breaking laws in this country. You are an ALIEN, not a citizen. Some relatively minor crimes can have SIGNIFICANT immigration consequences.

Cheers.

Hey guys,
I got a DWI yesterday while driving in Minnesota, almost a mile from my house. no accident no injuries nothing. My test score was 0.15. I'm 19, underage, international student from Vietnam. I am planning to change university for this spring semester. This is my first time breaking the law in the US and my record was very clean until then. The police made me do some breathtest, have picture taken, fingerprint and all that and he let me go home after 3 hours of paper work.
My question is:
-Will this affect my F1 VISA and will the new university issue a new I-20 for me regardless of my DWI?
_ Is DWI a very serious problem? Will I still be able to find a job in America after graduating? Any consequences?
My first court date will be on Jan 30th. Can anyone give me some advice of wht to do. Do you think i should hire a lawyer (cost 2000)or just need a public defender for the case because i talked to a lawyer and she said there is very low chance i could pass without any bad record. So i just figure myself if hiring a lawyer can't do much saving myself, why not i just try to save some money and pay for the fine (maximum 1000$)
Thanks everyone,
Any response is very appreciated.

 

[dhoang]

Nineteen year old drunk, don't worry you should be fine.

The new university will issue you a new I20

YES DWI is a bad bad offense. It can prevent you from getting some jobs, sure and several other consequences however it is not the end of the world. Senators, governors, and even one or two presidents have still gone on to greater heights after DWI.

From what you're saying, looks like your case is a pretty open and shut guilty case so you may as well save the money. However if your parents are some rich big shots, some of those high priced lawyers can work wonders. You never know.

Be very careful as you go about breaking laws in this country. You are an ALIEN, not a citizen. Some relatively minor crimes can have SIGNIFICANT immigration consequences.

Cheers.

HI,
Thank you very much for your response. I really don't know if I should hire a lawyer or not but i will definitely try to make a phone calls to different ones to see what will happen.
*significant immigration consequences* : Do you think this apply to my case as well? I'm planning to go back to my country for vacation next year and I'll need to apply for another visa. I understand that I should answer yes on the DS156 form or sth like that. But do you think they will refuse to give me a Visa? I am very worried about this. I honestly wish times could go back
Thank you.

 

[ananga73]

Homeboy,

Since you're 19, you're probably a freshman or sophomore. If you were a senior, I would say try not go visit home until you graduate however you probably have about 3 more years ahead of you.

From reading about others experience, it does appear that most people do get their visas renewed after DWI/DUI provided there are no other outstanding issues. In truth, it is the discretion of the visa officer to grant you the visa or otherwise. I would say you have a good chance of getting the new visa.

Be very truthful on the forms and make sure you get ALL the court document related to your arrest and the disposition of your case BEFORE going for back home for the new visa.

HI,
Thank you very much for your response. I really don't know if I should hire a lawyer or not but i will definitely try to make a phone calls to different ones to see what will happen.
*significant immigration consequences* : Do you think this apply to my case as well? I'm planning to go back to my country for vacation next year and I'll need to apply for another visa. I understand that I should answer yes on the DS156 form or sth like that. But do you think they will refuse to give me a Visa? I am very worried about this. I honestly wish times could go back
Thank you.

 

[pajerito]

I agree DWI is a serious offense and you should not treat it as something minor. If you go back to Vietnam to have your visa reissued, this issue needs to be disclosed and it will be entirely at the discretion of the consul to issue or deny a new visa. Making assumptions based in other individual cases is not realistic. Be careful and good luck.