Shop Lifting.........Very Much Worried

S

Sita_GC

Registered Users (C)
Hi.,
My I485 is in final stages.

I was arrested in walmart for shoplifting $30 worth items. I never done this in my life, i was just carried away. after the incident i had sleepless nights, got embrassed, and have no good image in my self. i am depressed, not sure what to do.
Cops arrested me and took photos/fingerprints and released me on bond. walmart filed a case as "Retail Theft in voilation of Section 720 5/16A-3(a) knowingly took possession of items". i want to stand guilty, and pay the fine for my fault.

what will be the impact of this case on my Green card. i didnt tell my attorney about this case yet, as he is my company attorney.

Do i need to tell INS about this case?
What are the chances of my I485 getting rejected.
Is this case stay in my Records forever.

Please help
 
Hi:

That is very unfortunate. See this article on murthy.com
http://www.murthy.com/news/UDshoplg.html

Also let your attorney know about this ASAP - they might have some ideas on how to handle this situation...plus even though they are your company attorneys, 485 is your case.
I don't think they can disclose information about you without cause.

I would think that this issue is not frivlous - its serious - get your attorney's advice.

Thanks

Sita_GC said:
Hi.,
My I485 is in final stages.

I was arrested in walmart for shoplifting $30 worth items. I never done this in my life, i was just carried away. after the incident i had sleepless nights, got embrassed, and have no good image in my self. i am depressed, not sure what to do.
Cops arrested me and took photos/fingerprints and released me on bond. walmart filed a case as "Retail Theft in voilation of Section 720 5/16A-3(a) knowingly took possession of items". i want to stand guilty, and pay the fine for my fault.

what will be the impact of this case on my Green card. i didnt tell my attorney about this case yet, as he is my company attorney.

Do i need to tell INS about this case?
What are the chances of my I485 getting rejected.
Is this case stay in my Records forever.

Please help
Click to expand...
 
i have a situation where i was arrested and released. my case was dropped down from Domestic Violence to INFRACTION. My lawyer says INFRACTION does not come under a "crime of moral turpitude". i think I will be fine.

check with your lawyer and see if the crime does not come under the "crime of moral turpitude". Then you should be fine. If you plead guilty the things become easier, but some lawyers say pleading guilty is no good for non immigrants.

talk to a good attorney who has knowledge of both criminal cases and immigration issues. my lawyer sent to INS extracts of the specific section under which i was finally brought down and justified that the conviction does fall under "crime of moral turpitude".

siggestions from others about my case will be appreciated.
 
Sita_GC said:
Hi.,
My I485 is in final stages.

I was arrested in walmart for shoplifting $30 worth items. I never done this in my life, i was just carried away. after the incident i had sleepless nights, got embrassed, and have no good image in my self. i am depressed, not sure what to do.
Cops arrested me and took photos/fingerprints and released me on bond. walmart filed a case as "Retail Theft in voilation of Section 720 5/16A-3(a) knowingly took possession of items". i want to stand guilty, and pay the fine for my fault.

what will be the impact of this case on my Green card. i didnt tell my attorney about this case yet, as he is my company attorney.

Do i need to tell INS about this case?
What are the chances of my I485 getting rejected.
Is this case stay in my Records forever.

Please help
Click to expand...
Also would help if you let us know which city and state this happened in.
How a specific crime is classified is mostly determined by each State.

If you can find out the exact wording of the section that you were charged with violating, it might shed some light on what type of a crime that is...
 
Sita_GC said:
City is Chicago, State Illinois
Click to expand...
OK - If you get convicted, it will be a "Class A misdemeanor".
Call your immigration attorney and see what's the impact of such a conviction.

FYI - had the value of those items been >$150, it would've been classified a "Class 3 felony" - so things could've been worse.

Again make sure you check with someone thats knowledgeable in both criminal and immigration laws.

good luck
 
Sita,

Don't worry too much.
My friend had the similar kind of situation and was very embrassed.
He didn't tell anything to Lawyer coz he was Company's Lawyer.
But since legally he should not disclose everything to company (he can disclose status of case, payment, docs etc.), we asked him to send mail asking something like that.
" I want to share something only with you which I have not disclosedto anyone....and want you also not to disclose"
After getting his positive response he gave detailed information and now he does not have sleepless nights.

Remember to CC these mails to your one or two email accounts as a proof and also lawyer will know that you keep track of that.

Good Luck.
 
Let me add this also.
My friend had DUI and it is "Class A misdemeanor".
Lawyer said it would not stop you getting GC.
 
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