Help with shoplifting charge

[xyzabc123]

My wife made a mistake and she has been charged with a retail theft of an item worth $6. It happened last week in FL. Police was called and he made a paper arrest for retail theft. There is no video evidence.
She had absolutely clean record before it. She is a graduate with MS degree from college of medicine.
In your opinion what is our best case and worst case scenario? We are immigrants to this country and hence it is critical for us to have a clean record. We need to travel to outside US around June 18th. Do you think that would be an issue?

We are expecting you can help us here. Thanks a lot for your attention.

 

[nervewreck]

One of the Dumbest things that anyone can do in this country is shop-lifting, and that too being an immigrant.

Well, it really does not matter whether its a paper arrest or a video one. It is what it is. It will be there in her record for atleast 7 years as a minor misdemeanor charge.

You will not have any problems traveling into or outside the country. You might have to stay strong and wield some ugly looks from the immigration officers, in case they happen to notice this charge coming up on their screen when they pull her profile at the time of stamping your i-94 card.

As for immigration related matters, always be truthful in any forms that ask you about police charges/arrests, etc. Its easy to hit the "No" radio button, but there are a lots of users on this forum who landed into trouble and rejects later down the lane, in the GC process...and were helpless.

Having a masters, being well educated, its quite unfortunate how people fall into traps created by such petty temptations. Retail theft is frowned upon, and is closely observed by officials. Very unfortunate that you have to endure these embarrassments, socially.

Good Luck...and be careful !
-Nervewreck