Traffic tickets and naturalization (threads merged)

drsganji said:
I was driving on downhill. I though its a 70 mils zone as I was crossing states lines. Fine is 140. They charged me with negligent driving but not reckelss driving. I think its state trooper. He told me that I would get 2 points for this. Its in Garret County
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You are fine and don't worry about the ticket that much. $140 is a piece of cake and USCIS won't care much about the ticket, because it is not above $500. You can check YES on form on the day of your oath, explain the ticket is for $140 and you intend to contest it- because you thought you were in PA as opposed to MD.

USCIS won't give a raccoon about this ticket, the important thing is to acknowledge it and move on or you can chose NOT to acknowledge it, it is a small ticket. The two points aren't horrible, negligent driving sound awful, but reckless is really bad, so you are fine. :eek: I would recommend a radar detector if you like to speed. I haven't seen red light flashing in my rear view mirror in about 6 years, so I am pretty happy about that. My insurance remains the same and my insurance company is happy not having to pay any claims, and my rates keep going down...:D
 
drsganji said:
I was driving on downhill. I though its a 70 mils zone as I was crossing states lines. Fine is 140. They charged me with negligent driving but not reckelss driving. I think its state trooper. He told me that I would get 2 points for this. Its in Garret County
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You are fine. 2 points and $140 are not bad. I think 2 points may not increase your insurance rates. Make sure to indicate yes on the oath form. Just be honest with IO officer. IO officer may let you take the oath.
 
Al Southner said:
I would recommend a radar detector if you like to speed. I haven't seen red light flashing in my rear view mirror in about 6 years, so I am pretty happy about that. My insurance remains the same and my insurance company is happy not having to pay any claims, and my rates keep going down...:D
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Any model you suggest ? Do you know if its legal in NJ to own and have working thing in the car ?
 
absrao said:
Any model you suggest ? Do you know if its legal in NJ to own and have working thing in the car ?
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My iphone worked to detect as a radar detector (Trapster application-- can detect police radar, traffic light camera, etc). :D
 
USGC485 said:
Many of those who may lose US citizenship argue that they committed only technical violations, such as failing to disclose traffic arrests.

(The information above is extracted from http://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=1492_0_2_0)
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Many just said "if I were to be de-natualized for not disclosing a traffic ticket, so be it. It is not a heaven/hell matter If I were to be de-naturalized, I would pack up and leave and a country make such big fuss about a traffic ticket is no great country"

During daily talk, I discuss this traffic ticket issue many non-citizen friends/coworker. etc., most are determined not to disclose traffic ticket from beginning and take the above attitude.
 
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absrao said:
Any model you suggest ? Do you know if its legal in NJ to own and have working thing in the car ?
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Absrao,

I use a particular radar detector and usually change then when I get new models. The average life-span of my detectors is 9-12 months. Old once I sell on craigslist or give to friends of radar detectors (FORD) :rolleyes: This is a private group I started among friends who like to speed. What can you do if you have a 500hp of fire? Do you drive like an old nut or like a young man with a zest for life? :)

https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500i.html

I don't know if it is legal or illegal to own a radar detector in NJ. I was forced to buy a radar detector after getting caught on the NJ Turnpike going at 102mph and had to fight the tickets. Since then, I haven't seen a state trooper. Not true that I haven't seen a state trooper, I see them all the time busy giving other people tickets. :eek: I once made a mistake speeding while one was packed on the side of the road around 1-2am, as soon as he joined in to pursue I merged into the slow lane among a sea of other SUV, and he pulled a car similar to mine, and I proceeded to speed away before he realized he got the wrong car....:D

I would google to see what is legal or illegal in NJ. I live in DC area, but I know in DC and VA, it is illegal to own detectors, so I usually unplug it when I drive there if I chose to, but this one it undetectable...:D I am not advocating for anyone to break the law, I use this for my own personal escapades while driving. If it is illegal to own a radar detector in your state, if you get caught, you are going to pay a heavy fine and might do some jail time. So, I am not advocating anyone to purchase this radar for which I provided the link for, I personally use it and I find it to be every effective at giving me the freedom to speed as I see fit. i don't speed in the city at all, drive about 5 miles over the speed limit, but on interstates, I drive at 30-40 miles above the speed limit. I chose to do so.
 
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Al Southner said:
Absrao,

I use a particular radar detector and usually change then when I get new models. The average life-span of my detectors is 9-12 months. Old once I sell on craigslist or give to friends of radar detectors (FORD) :rolleyes: This is a private group I started among friends who like to speed. What can you do if you have a 500hp of fire? Do you drive like an old nut or like a young man with a zest for life? :)

https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500i.html

I don't know if it is legal or illegal to own a radar detector in NJ. I was forced to buy a radar detector after getting caught on the NJ Turnpike going at 102mph and had to fight the tickets. Since then, I haven't seen a state trooper. Not true that I haven't seen a state trooper, I see them all the time busy giving other people tickets. :eek: I once made a mistake speeding while one was packed on the side of the road around 1-2am, as soon as he joined in to pursue I merged into the slow lane among a sea of other SUV, and he pulled a car similar to mine, and I proceeded to speed away before he realized he got the wrong car....:D

I would google to see what is legal or illegal in NJ. I live in DC area, but I know in DC and VA, it is illegal to own detectors, so I usually unplug it when I drive there if I chose to, but this one it undetectable...:D
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Is it legal in Maryland to buy a radar detector?
 
Don't say you don't have time to pay for this, I WOULD rather have my citizenship that lose about 2 hours of work to go take care of this. They MIGHT> key word let you take the oath, it is not a big deal ticket but I think you should be safe and take care of it. It is the discretion of the officer to let you take the oath or not, so why don't you just pay it before the oath and have a receipt!?
 
USGC485 said:
Many of those who may lose US citizenship argue that they committed only technical violations, such as failing to disclose traffic arrests.

(The information above is extracted from http://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=1492_0_2_0)
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The article mentions traffic ARRESTS, not traffic tickets. Also, it's dated April 1998. A well-known court case initiated in 2001(?) decided that naturalized citizens cannot be denaturalized for failing to disclose minor offenses, traffic and otherwise.
 
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Mimi1212 said:
Don't say you don't have time to pay for this, I WOULD rather have my citizenship that lose about 2 hours of work to go take care of this. They MIGHT> key word let you take the oath, it is not a big deal ticket but I think you should be safe and take care of it. It is the discretion of the officer to let you take the oath or not, so why don't you just pay it before the oath and have a receipt!?
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I have right to contest charge as any resident of this country. As I mentioned my job is busy and I can not take off 2 hours. I would not mind waiting for resolution of speeding ticket even if it the delays my oath. Its not gonna change any thing in short term.
 
drsganji said:
I have right to contest charge as any resident of this country. As I mentioned my job is busy and I can not take off 2 hours. I would not mind waiting for resolution of speeding ticket even if it the delays my oath. Its not gonna change any thing in short term.
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@drsgajy: Please kindly note that the other option you have is to pay by mail.

I understand from this site that minor traffic ticket is not an issue.

@ To All: Myself, I honestly missed to tell the D/O about traffic ticket i have last year during my interview.
I did not know that traffic ticket means citation. On the other hand, I am not even sure if the traffic ticket I am reffering is on record because I did dispute to the court, no point was deducted. I did pay only the court fees. Before the above ticket, my record was clean.
Now, after the interview I dont have any ticket, the question is do I have to disclose the traffic ticket before the interview on the day of the oath ceremony or not?
Can my citizenship be taken away for honest mistake?
 
Vorpal said:
The article mentions traffic ARRESTS, not traffic tickets. Also, it's dated April 1998. A well-known court case initiated in 2001(?) decided that naturalized citizens cannot be denaturalized for failing to disclose minor offenses, traffic and otherwise.
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Not exactly correct. The case was Gorbach v. Reno, and it resulted in federal court putting a permanent nationwide injunction on INS administrative de-naturalisation proceedings. From then on, INS/USCIS should bring the case to the federal judge and actually prove that an individual should be stripped of citizenship. The heavy burden of proof lies on the USCIS rather than on the accused individual. So, my guess would be that USCIS will not start a federal court case because of minor traffic citations :rolleyes: Formally, they can... but it's a long shot :)
 
anonymous1979 said:
Folks,

I read this long thread and people do have contrasting view points. I called USCIS today and was actually able to talk to a representative :).

I told her that I got two the traffic tickets (speeding violation that were reduced to non-moving violations) and she read to me a canned response - "all violations except traffic violation that do not lead to arrest must be listed on N400". At the same time she mentioned you can list your tickets if you like.

Based on her response, I gather it is not required to list the traffic tickets that did not lead to an arrest.

I requested her to send me an email stating the same, so that I have a proof, of course that was asking for too much. She suggested I should go to local office if I need written proof.

Best
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If you are successful of obtaining some guidance, please do let us know ....myself has one speeding ticket (got a copy of ticktet, confirmation from Court clerk)...My concern for disclosing this is that this will create further inquiry/delay ....I was reading the forum that people get "yellow letter" asking for court records,,,etc, if even minor citation is listed.
 
Dear ginnu,

Thank you for your response. With due respect, is there any other person who can tell me what they wrote in their application?

I have an appt with a lawyer for just this question and he is charging me $150 just for this.. I want to cancel the appt. Any help would be well appreciated.

Thank you in anticipation.
 
Reporting traffic ticket -IL

Folks, please help. I got a speeding ticket in IL that i plan to report in N400.
Need help to understand what to say in N400.

TICKET DATE, Court records says" SPEEDING OVER STATUTORY LIMIT 15-20"

I paid the ticket by mail.

Court record says for the PAYMENT:
"PRE-COURT GUILTY PLEA " and "SUPERVISION "

After 90 days, "TERMINATE SENTENCE - SATISFACTORILY"

I have asked Court Clerk, his email response reads:

"Case number XXXXXX ticket was paid XXX200X by mail. You petitioned supervision and it was granted and you also completed the supervision. You paid with check number XXX"


Now my question what to say in answering question 21 of N400.

Outcome or disposition of the arrest, citation, detention or charge. Should i say "petitioned and granted supervision on XXXX and completed the supervision on XXXX"
 
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Can anyone tell me in simple English, what they filled in those 4 columns for Traffic Tickets? Just a sample would do. The court disposition is in 'funny' language.

Thank You.
 
USCIS don't care about routine traffic tickets*. Mentioning them in N400 is up to the applicant and it most often unecessarily delays the process.

*tickets under $500 and non DUI/DWI related.
 
I would not be too quick to claim that the USCIS do not care about traffic tickets. It seems that it is up to individual IOs to decide whether to make a big deal out of a ticket. It is enough to take a glance at the sticky poll to see that there is no uniformity among various IOs when it comes to minor traffic tickets.
 
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