What are my chances

[ConcordUser 18]

I have been one of those nervous kind of people and thinking and thinking. What are my chances of getting N-400 approved? Here are my questions. I am going to meet with my Atty next week and find out more details.

I have been LPR for 30 years and got GC in 1981. In 1987 I was charged with a shoplifting charge. I was young and stupid and nervous and instead of getting an Atty and proving my innocense, I paid the fine. Later applied for the Annulment and Judge annulled the case. At the suggestion of Atty, we applied for the cancelation of the annulment and filed for the dismissal of the case. Judge re-opened the case and dismissed the case and even return the fine I paid in 1987.

In 1988 by mistake one of my check was bounced and I was arrested for the bad check. The check was made good and the charges were dropped or Nol processed. As a nervous wreck as I am applied for the annulment of the arrest record only. Judge went ahead and annuled the arrest record and conviction. Not sure why he did it. I am not sure if I should ask them to re-open the case and have Judge dismiss the case or since there was no convication it is not necessary? I have no idea until I discuss with my Atty next week.

Considering these facts what are my chances of getting the N-400 approved? No harsh comments please.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

I'd say your chances are fairly good- the issues you had were minor and a long time ago.

[lbluemoonl 5]

Your chances are not low if you discloss all your convictions to the Officer who you interview with. Do NOT ignore anything. I made a same mistake and I got a denial. I had a petty charge in 2004 and applied for N 400 in 2011 but it got denied. So make sure you get all your documents together regarding those charges. Yes, even if it was closed or dismissed. You are smart enought to hire an attorney. I didn't get an attorney and that was my biggest mistake. I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck

Edited September 22, 2011 by lbluemoonl

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I tried to calculate your chances as precisely as possible but since I don't know your Zodiac sign and country of citizenship, I can only guess it's about 100%.

Save the money for an attorney. Fill out the N-400 (takes about 20 minutes) and be done with it.

[NickD 203]

I can't out rule an attorney, when my gal said yes to marrying me, immigration was a brand new subject and getting on their website was a nightmare with forms. Since my gal was working for an American company in Venezuela and in many talks about executives being shifted from one country to another and always with the USA. Asked her to find were takes care of that. Immigration firm was in the USA, contacted them and was given the name of the head attorney. Also learned he wrote several books on immigration.

We gained a close relationship, and he agreed to help me, we also agreed on a flat fee. $1,500.00 as a matter of fact, plus mailing charges and some copies that only added another hundred. I had to do all the leg work, but was guided, they filled out all the forms, but the best thing they did is guide the best and easier way to bring my wife and daughter here. Perhaps that is why our AOS went so smooth, with their names on the forms. When my wife and her daughter received their conditional cards, was pleased to sent them a check for $850.00. That was part of our agreement, they would get their green cards.

This firm was so honest, really didn't want anything to do with the I-751 and N-400, namely, didn't want me pestering them due to long delays. But they did review my forms and evidence at no charge. Can't beat service like that. And yes, some changes were made. But many on this board had very bad experiences with an attorneys, so the key problem is finding a good one.

If you go into an office and the guy brags about cases he won, walk out. But if he/she shows a keen interest in your case and devotes their time to asking you key questions, they are good. When we ran into problems with the I-751 and N-400, first person I called was my attorney, was honest enough to say, I can't help you, contact your senators office. I didn't even know about that at the time. Also have seen attorneys walk in with other clients at the interview, chatted with them briefly. That can make a huge difference in dealing with an IO.

But the major problem in hiring an attorney, is finding a good one. Good ones deal with immigration issues 60 hours per week and have been doing this for years. Helps to have that experience on your side.