Shoplift but not convicted

S

scott10

New Member
Few years ago after getting green card my friend made a stupid mistake of shoplifting items worth less than $10. My friend was caught by the store security, handcuffed, pictures were taken and my friend also signed as guilty on store paperwork. Police was called, they checked the records and did not find any previous history of misdemenor/crime. My friend was not convicted/arrested however, the store authority said they would keep the record in their files for one year and that he should not go to the store during this period.

Would there be any record of this that US Citizenship and Immigration Services could trace when he files for his citizenship. On N-400 application for Naturlaization there is a section where you are required to disclose "Have you ever committed a crime or offense for whch you were never arrested".

Is this considered an offense although he was never convicted nor police has any record of it. Only record that might be out there is at that retail store....

Please share your opinion.
 
I believe "your friend" needs to be honest about this problem, otherwise the end result may be a denial or worse.

Sounds like the correct answer is "yes" with an explanation. Most likely it won't hurt chance of naturalization provided the rest of the record is clean and demonstrates good moral character.
 
One of the questions was if you ever commit the crime and was not arrested for it. I'll recommend to answer Yes 4 it.
 
ok, will have him discuss with immigration expert. what are the chances of his record being public in this case? it seems the records would be only at the retail store.
 
scott10 said:
ok, will have him discuss with immigration expert. what are the chances of his record being public in this case? it seems the records would be only at the retail store.
Click to expand...

It may not be public, but that doesn't mean you can answer "no" to that question. The problem isn't so much now but in the future if USCIS ever had reason to explore whether the naturalization was obtained honestly or not. If the shoplifting case surfaced, there may be grounds for denaturalization and deportation because the original crime had not been reported during N-400.
 
dude,
i have seen plenty of cases where even ppl convicted o theft have been approved citizenship....

2 points to note

be sincere on your application
make sure it has been 5 yrs since the conviction(in ur friends case since the incident)...
google around in this forum u will find plenty of ppl who have been approved...
 
thts what i am saying...no convictions...

nothing to worry about brother it is going to be a smooth sail

thanks in adance

good night
 
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