Criminal Record

[aaaa 0]

I am a Canadian citizen and I am about to have my interview at the consulate in Vancouver. I have read some conflicting reports regarding criminal records and am looking for some information.

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was either just about to turn 16 or just turned 16 (I can't remember exactly). The offense is not on my criminal record, which is otherwise clear, and the police here have no record of it whatsoever, even to tell me the date. I never went to court and ended up doing community service in leiu of a conviction. What should I tell the interviewer? I answered "yes" to having been arrested, but am not sure of any other details because it was 10 years ago. I don't have any reports to take because I was so young and it never went to court. Could this impede my ability to get approved?

[soon~tobe 0]

I think the question on the form states have you EVER been convicted of crime (I think it even says, even if the record was sealed). Be as honest as possible, give the details, crime you were convicted of, year at least if you don't remember the date, this probably isn't considered a crime of moral turpitude, but you might want to do some research on it just in case. Say the record was closed and that's why you don't have facts and it doesn't show up on a police report. Also the fact that you had no jail time plays in your favor.

[Carlawarla 1]

I am a Canadian citizen and I am about to have my interview at the consulate in Vancouver. I have read some conflicting reports regarding criminal records and am looking for some information.

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was either just about to turn 16 or just turned 16 (I can't remember exactly). The offense is not on my criminal record, which is otherwise clear, and the police here have no record of it whatsoever, even to tell me the date. I never went to court and ended up doing community service in leiu of a conviction. What should I tell the interviewer? I answered "yes" to having been arrested, but am not sure of any other details because it was 10 years ago. I don't have any reports to take because I was so young and it never went to court. Could this impede my ability to get approved?

I believe it asks for arrests and/or convictions. Are you truly not able to obtain anything from that time? Surely the police must have a record of an arrest, and then how the arrest was dipsosed of. Where did you do your CSO? Who referred you to that placement? Now that I think of it, are you sure you were even arrested?

You already have your interview in Vancouver, and if it's in the next day or so, there isn't anything at this late date to do but to be honest at the interview and explain what happened. If you pass the interview, and they won't accept your verbal version of what occurred, you're going to have to come up with something on paper.

I don't know where you live, but I might be able to brainstorm some places you could look into if this is the case. PM me after the interview if you need to. I worked for 26 years in the CJS.

All the best!

[MMW 2]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am a Canadian citizen and I am about to have my interview at the consulate in Vancouver. I have read some conflicting reports regarding criminal records and am looking for some information.

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was either just about to turn 16 or just turned 16 (I can't remember exactly). The offense is not on my criminal record, which is otherwise clear, and the police here have no record of it whatsoever, even to tell me the date. I never went to court and ended up doing community service in leiu of a conviction. What should I tell the interviewer? I answered "yes" to having been arrested, but am not sure of any other details because it was 10 years ago. I don't have any reports to take because I was so young and it never went to court. Could this impede my ability to get approved?

A conviction for shoplifting would not disqualify you (if it was a misdemeanor) so it is not a concern. If you were never convicted by a court then the answer is "no" you have never had a conviction. Your police record should be clear. Non-issue. But if asked, I would answer, "yes' and say exactly the truth

[aaaa 0]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

[daboyz 36]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

What did you answer to Part C, question 2 on the I-129F?

[aaaa 0]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

What did you answer to Part C, question 2 on the I-129F?

I am not sure what that question is...but if it was whether or not I had been arrested, I answered yes...

[daboyz 36]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

What did you answer to Part C, question 2 on the I-129F?

I am not sure what that question is...but if it was whether or not I had been arrested, I answered yes...

2. Have you ever been convicted by a court of law (civil or criminal) or court martialed by a military tribunal for any of thefollowing crimes:

Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, dating violence, elder abuse or stalking. (Please refer to page 3 ofthe instructions for the full definition of the term "domestic violence.)

Homicide, murder, manslaughter, rape, abusive sexual contact, sexual exploitation, incest, torture, trafficking, peonage,holding hostage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, false imprisonment oran attempt to commit any of these crimes, or

Three or more convictions for crimes relating to a controlled substance or alcohol not arising from a single act.

Don't see anything about shoplifting in there.

[daboyz 36]

Disregard. You are the beneficiary. My bad. I had it in my head you were the petitioner.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

Then the correct answer is "NO", you have never been CONVICTED of a crime. Your case was handled as a juvenile (sounds like) with no court involvement and hence, NO criminal record. That said, misdemeanor shoplifting would not disqualify a K-1 visa so if it is asked, just be honest. Lying WILL disqualify for you for a visa and wouldn't THAT be a bummer?

[aaaa 0]

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

Then the correct answer is "NO", you have never been CONVICTED of a crime. Your case was handled as a juvenile (sounds like) with no court involvement and hence, NO criminal record. That said, misdemeanor shoplifting would not disqualify a K-1 visa so if it is asked, just be honest. Lying WILL disqualify for you for a visa and wouldn't THAT be a bummer?

Thanks for the info. I think you are right, I called the RCMP and asked about it and he said (although he could find no record of me whatsoever) that it had been diverted instead of convicted. But, I have already sent that info in to them so I will just deal with it in the interview!! Thanks for the help

[HWANG0926 0]

I can actually give some advice on this one because when I petitioned for my x husband I-130, back in 2001- he was once arrested for domestic violence against his x gf. Well, the case was dismissed ... during the initial green card interview we were told that we needed additional information on this case. Therefore, we had to drive back to San Diego Court to obtain a record that this case was dismissed and that pc of paper was all that we needed.

I think you have to be completely honest and obtain valid records that this case is dismissed.

[aaaa 0]

I have called the police and the courts, and because I was a minor and the case was never actually in the court system, neither have records. I am currently trying to track down record of my community service being completed, as that seems to be the only place left that might have some record of it. According to the courts and police, the arrest doesn't exist...

I can actually give some advice on this one because when I petitioned for my x husband I-130, back in 2001- he was once arrested for domestic violence against his x gf. Well, the case was dismissed ... during the initial green card interview we were told that we needed additional information on this case. Therefore, we had to drive back to San Diego Court to obtain a record that this case was dismissed and that pc of paper was all that we needed.

I think you have to be completely honest and obtain valid records that this case is dismissed.