Traffic violation? Which box(es) to check

[LA80 3]

My question has to do with Part 10 D. I'm polishing my N-400 a bit and just remembered something.

It might seem to be a minor issue, but anyways...

In 2009, I was stopped by a police officer because one of the blinkers did not work. After seeing that I did not signal when turning because the blinker was dysfunctional, he typed something (had a kind of computer), gave me a piece of paper, and said that there will not be any penalties, but that I must fix the problem within a certain period of time and go to the police station and let them inspect the vehicle. This is exactly what I did after a few days. They also told me that because the problem was fixed, there would be no record of this incident and that I was good to go. I do not know how to call this, but it has to do something with driving a dysfunctional vehicle.

I have no problem with disclosing this, but I have no idea how and which box to check.

How do I reply to

Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you have not be arrested?

(I suppose NO because, this incident was a traffic violation? Or was this offense?)

Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law officer for any reason?

(I assume that this would be a YES? I was stopped because the officer saw that there was something wrong. I was detained, right?)

Forgive me for being so ignorant, but I have some terminology issues.

Edited July 8, 2012 by LA80

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You got what is called a "fix it ticket" It is given for safety concerns but is not an offense. It creates a record of the issue and gives you X days to fix it as a non offense. You have not been arrested , you were cited for a faulty turn signal.

[LA80 3]

OK,than that is what I am going to put in my application. Thanks!

I completely forgot that this even happened.

[krenn08 8]

My question has to do with Part 10 D. I'm polishing my N-400 a bit and just remembered something.

How do I reply to

Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you have not be arrested?

Answer: No.

Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law officer for any reason?

Hm... I'd think the answer is NO. The reason: you were told to fix your car - you weren't cited with a violation. You didn't have to speak before a judge or pay a fine (so long as you did it in 10 days or so .

Best of luck.

[LA80 3]

Answer: No.

Hm... I'd think the answer is NO. The reason: you were told to fix your car - you weren't cited with a violation. You didn't have to speak before a judge or pay a fine (so long as you did it in 10 days or so .

Best of luck.

Thanks! My biggest fear is to screw up something because of ignorance, and I feel the urge to mention this incident and what was the final result. The point is, there was some kind of a contact with the law enforcement for something they suspected was wrong and were correct about it. It was also fixed on time, so there were no further actions taken and there should be no records.

[darkequitus 0]

Thanks! My biggest fear is to screw up something because of ignorance, and I feel the urge to mention this incident and what was the final result. The point is, there was some kind of a contact with the law enforcement for something they suspected was wrong and were correct about it. It was also fixed on time, so there were no further actions taken and there should be no records.

I have already had my interview. I ticked yes on my form for a similar reason. There was no record or reason why I was stopped in the county records when I went to the town hall. However there was a record that I was stopped with the local bureau of investigation. When I was sworn in during my interview the IO asked the question if I had been cited... for any reason, I said yes. She immediately looked at her computer, flicked through my file to a certain page,said "ah yes, tell me about it" I gave a brief explanation that it was quashed because I fixed the problem and of my visit to the town hall. now I am taking my oath in a few weeks.

My reasoning was that, if it was irrelevant, it was better that she said I did not need to put that rather than she looks in my file, say you were stopped by police and did not mention it.

[LA80 3]

Congrats on the passed exam, darkequitus!

I like your reasoning, and the truth is, I cannot know what they have on the record although they told me that everything was ok. I basically was not cited, and if pulling over can be defined as detention, then I was "detained." Therefore, I must check that box. I never had to go to the judge, just had to take the truck to the police station for inspection. If I had not done that, then I would be cited for real and pay the fine. So again, some say yes and some say no.

[darkequitus 0]

@LA80.

Thanks!

Yes. apart from proving i had fixed the problem, I did not go to a judge or anything either. I was sweating trying to work out whether to tick the box or not. And sweating more as to what they would say at the interview. Maybe someone will know the definitive answer.

[Memphis 26]

Congrats on the passed exam, darkequitus!

I like your reasoning, and the truth is, I cannot know what they have on the record although they told me that everything was ok. I basically was not cited, and if pulling over can be defined as detention, then I was "detained." Therefore, I must check that box. I never had to go to the judge, just had to take the truck to the police station for inspection. If I had not done that, then I would be cited for real and pay the fine. So again, some say yes and some say no.

When I filled-out that portion, I ticked no because I forgot that I have been cited once but only a minor case.Speed limit 30, mine was 31. When I had my interview, the Immig Officer, just told me simply to change it and asked me if I have already paid for it.. She was very nice and accomodating. They do have a record.. Maybe it is case-to-case basis, I think..

Edited July 9, 2012 by Memphis

[LA80 3]

Well, my husband is certain 10000000% that I only got a warning (not really a citation, but something that had a potential to become one), and there was no fee in my case, as far as I can recall, not even administrative. It all looked so informal! The cop who inspected the vehicle took that piece of paper back, and that was it. Never heard from them again. I am also absolutely freaked out by the word "detained" as I associate it with being restrained and handcuffed and taken away.

However, it seems that traffic violations have been a hot topic for quite some time as I found several threads about them (to disclose or not to disclose), on this forum as well. It might be case-to-case, but it also may depend on the state where it happened, I guess. I have read that California, for example, has a different procedure for fix-it tickets. But honestly, I have no idea. The best policy: disclose whatever you think may be an issue. As long as you are being honest, no problem.

Thank you for sharing your experience!