Traffic violation

U

ubnowski

Registered Users (C)
Hi:

Last year I was pulled over because one of my tail lights of my car was out. I was not aware of the light. I was given a warning but no fine. I did not retain the record of this. Do I need to mention this when I am up for citizenship in 2012 during the interview?

Today, I received a ticket for running a red light with a fine of $75. Do I need to indicate this in the N400 form or will it be sufficient if I mentioned this during my interview. This is my first fine in 16 yrs of living in the US.

Thanks,

Ubnow
 
ubnowski said:
Hi:

Last year I was pulled over because one of my tail lights of my car was out. I was not aware of the light. I was given a warning but no fine. I did not retain the record of this. Do I need to mention this when I am up for citizenship in 2012 during the interview?

Today, I received a ticket for running a red light with a fine of $75. Do I need to indicate this in the N400 form or will it be sufficient if I mentioned this during my interview. This is my first fine in 16 yrs of living in the US.

Thanks,

Ubnow
Click to expand...

Disclose the red light ticket. Answer Yes to that "have you ever been charged " question and
in the table below, write down date and place and the offfense and final disposisiton (fined and paid)
During the interview, present a copy of teh ticket and receit

For the warning about tail light, if it is an oral warning, don't mention it. If it is a written warning,
mention it
 
The warning was written. He gave me a receipt, but I have misplaced it. :( Not sure how to get the date and time or that record. It was a couple of years ago.
 
ubnowski said:
The warning was written. He gave me a receipt, but I have misplaced it. :( Not sure how to get the date and time or that record. It was a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...

Then forget about it (but before you forget it, make nore onre trip to the police station to see if you can still get a copy).

If you forget about thsi warning, then only dislcose the red light ticket. It is not a big deal but you
can get a great amount spiritual comfort if you dislcose it. You can later brag how honest you are
to future citizenship applicants:"I have a record with law but I am honest enough to disclose it"
 
WBH said:
Disclose the red light ticket. Answer Yes to that "have you ever been charged " question and
in the table below, write down date and place and the offfense and final disposisiton (fined and paid)
During the interview, present a copy of teh ticket and receit

For the warning about tail light, if it is an oral warning, don't mention it. If it is a written warning,
mention it
Click to expand...

The OP doesn't need to disclose the red light ticket. Per his subsequent post, it appears that it's a red light camera violation.
 
Vorpal said:
The OP doesn't need to disclose the red light ticket. Per his subsequent post, it appears that it's a red light camera violation.
Click to expand...

Agree. In fact majority applicants in the real world do not disclose any traffic violation. But If I
were the OP I would just dislcosed it no matter what. It won't affect the approval anywayso why
not? One can get a sense, thouigh false sense of pride of being honest. And trust me that sense of pride
will linger on for a long time. So for this benefit, it is worth disclosing it.
 
Bobsmyth said:
Unless the red light ticket was issued in a state (like California) where such offenses are considered criminal in nature.
Click to expand...

Most traffi8c violations are considered criminal in nature in most states. Crimes are divided into
three categories
(1) felony - punishable by more than 1 (including 1 year by immigration law)
(2) misdemeanor - punishable bu up but not exceed 1 year
(3) Petty offense/infraction - no jail time punishable only by fine

Ordinary traffic violations belong to (3) so they are criminal.
 
WBH said:
Agree. In fact majority applicants in the real world do not disclose any traffic violation. But If I
were the OP I would just dislcosed it no matter what. It won't affect the approval anywayso why
not? One can get a sense, thouigh false sense of pride of being honest. And trust me that sense of pride
will linger on for a long time. So for this benefit, it is worth disclosing it.
Click to expand...

When it comes to immigration matters, it's never a good idea to disclose extraneous information.
 
Vorpal said:
When it comes to immigration matters, it's never a good idea to disclose extraneous information.
Click to expand...

Vorpal,

I agree. What people need to learn is a simple principle: Never miss a good opportunity to keep your mouth shut. I don't know anyone who has regretted their silence on any issues.

WBH,

Red Light camera tickets aren't considered a moving violation and doesn't need to be disclosed (unless you are in CA-learned this through Bobsmyth). I wonder if you would encourage him to tell the officer about the time when we was going at 85 mph and wasn't caught, for the sake of being honest as you put it? I think you are wrong to advise people to disclose an issues that have no bearing on their citizenship process. I got a speeding ticket via a speed monitor camera (in a new location I wasn't aware of), don't plan to disclose it at all, that would make an unAmerican, getting speeding ticket via speed cameras is one benefit of being an American..lol
 
Al Southner said:
WBH,

Red Light camera tickets aren't considered a moving violation and doesn't need to be disclosed (unless you are in CA-learned this through Bobsmyth).
Click to expand...

I would disclosed it myself because I believe it does not matter anyway. I would not even
need such citizenship if it can be denied for having a ticket
 
WBH said:
I would disclosed it myself because I believe it does not matter anyway. I would not even
need such citizenship if it can be denied for having a ticket
Click to expand...

It can matter if you disclose it and it hasn't been paid yet. Perhaps not a denial, but a delay in getting your oath.
 
WBH said:
I would disclosed it myself because I believe it does not matter anyway. I would not even
need such citizenship if it can be denied for having a ticket
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, for some people, US citizenship matters more than life itself, because of where they come from. So, in your case, if you were denied, maybe it wouldn't matter at all. For some, the possibility to sponsor their entire families is necessary. As such, our advises should be measured and more practical.

I usually drive very fast, it is not unusual for me to be going at 85 miles on I-495/95 and I use a powerful radar detector. Do you think I should tell the IO, I regularly drive at 85 mph?
 
Bobsmyth said:
Isn't it illegal to use one in VA and DC?
Click to expand...

Bob,

Hence I moved out of DC and will never live in VA under any circumstance. I live in MD, it isn't illegal to use one. I have used it in VA once and I caught 5 state trooper hiding, aiming to catch people. I use it across the Northeast... I bought a radar detector for about $500 with all the bells and whistles. There is no point in driving a car many horses and not press it....lol!!!
 
A couple of years ago, there was an interview experience posted on the forum, where the applicant decided to disclose a minor traffic/parking ticket. The IO stated something to the extent of "If you didn't disclose it, it would have no bearing on your application, but since you did, I now have to check if you've paid the ticket". Since it was a minor ticket, the applicant didn't bring proof of payment and was issued a continuance letter. Unnecessarily disclosing what you feel may be a harmless fact may trigger the IO to either issue a N-14 or send an application that could have otherwise been approved on the spot for supervisor review. No matter how honest you are compelled to be, DO NOT disclose unnecessary details.
 
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