filling up form n-400 question about law enforcement citations

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aa_fa

New Member
I am filling up n-400. There is an specific question that I need some advice prior to respond.

D.16 Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?

4 years ago I was pulled over by a cop who sent me to court for failing to transfer a car registration to the state, a couple of weeks later the attorney who interviewed me dismissed the charges and let me go.

should I answer yes to this question and request the court to send me the records? I really don't have the paperwork showing that I was dismissed, I believe I should answer no to the question, just want to make sure. Thanks for any advice.

Daniel
 
If the cop ordered you to court it means he gave you a citation. You would answer YES to question and put "charges dismissed". Not an issue for naturalization and very unlikely the IO will ask for documentation since it was a minor traffic citation.
 
aa_fa said:
4 years ago I was pulled over by a cop who sent me to court for failing to transfer a car registration to the state
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Which state is that? Is it Virginia?
I heard most states honor out-of state registration until it expire even if you moved into the current state.

I am facing this issue of whetehr to change car registration within 60 days of move or wait until my out of state registration expire. The later choice means saving money. After becoming a citizen,
my law abiding mood more or less deterioate.
 
Just to add to your post WBH, Colorado gives you 30 days, no matter when you paid for your registration. In my case was more than fair, I sat on it for over 2 years paying out of state taxes to avoid wasting my time at the DMV, and I also failed to provide current proof on insurance. The cop was kind of clueless on what to do and sent me to court. I can't even remember the exact date, kind of retarded that this is part of the n-400.
 
aa_fa said:
. .... kind of retarded that this is part of the n-400.
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Failing to register your vehicle properly can be used to strengthen lack of moral character assessment. In itself, a single minor traffic citation is not an issue for naturalization. However, several traffic citations along with more serious offense(s) can have detrimental effects on an applicant's moral character determination.
 
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aa_fa said:
I can't even remember the exact date, kind of retarded that this is part of the n-400.
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I think the way to get the details of your case is to contact the court in which the case was heard. If that court has a computerized records system accessible online, search for your name and you might be able to find the date at least. This will also provide you with all the references you need if you need to order a hardcopy of the court disposition.
 
aa_fa said:
Just to add to your post WBH, Colorado gives you 30 days, no matter when you paid for your registration. In my case was more than fair, I sat on it for over 2 years paying out of state taxes to avoid wasting my time at the DMV, and I also failed to provide current proof on insurance. The cop was kind of clueless on what to do and sent me to court. I can't even remember the exact date, kind of retarded that this is part of the n-400.
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You should be thankful the officer was less aggressive, lack of insurance is a serious issue, more like a ticking time bomb. If you cause a huge accident, guess what? Nobody is going to get full recourse because you have no insurance. I know that in DC, the fines accumulates till you change your out-of-state tags, and the fines can run to thousands of $$$. Bob is correct, your case could cause a denial of your citizenship because it will give the officer the impression that you don't obey the laws of the state and of the country which you are seeking its citizenship. In most cases, your car is impounded immediately for lack of insurance and you go to jail, and released the next day with a court date. If you were in VA, you were a toast.
 
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