DS-230 with police caution

[manni83 0]

Hi, we've just had our NOA2 so now looking at the DS-230 form. I have a police caution on my certificate (section 4 public order). I'm told this shouldn't affect our plans.

Question 41. asks Have you ever been charged, arrested or convicted of any offense or crime?

Am I correct to say " caution for Section 4 public order offence" and send my police certificate to explain? Do they need more details than that?

Thanks y'all

[rolemodel29 17]

Yes they will need more advice to that. Just imagine a person who is not familar with the terms used in that country reading your application. It may result in a RFE. Please type on a seperate sheet of paper giving details to the violation. If you can explain it properly and in detail you will not have a problem. Be sure to properly label that extra sheet with the number of the question and your case number on the top right hand side of the page.

[trojam227 18]

Generally, the NVC just collects the documents and checks for completeness. They will forward your entire file to the embassy once your interview is scheduled. If you are interviewing in london, I wouldn't worry too much about the IO not knowing what a caution is, as they are very familiar with UK police certs. My husband had a caution (also a few convictions) and we had to get MOC's from the court...the caution showed on the MOC even though it wasn't an arrest, so see if the magistrates court in the town you were cautioned has any record of it. The NVC sent us an RFE for not sending the court records..not sure how they will deal with just 1 caution, but better safe than sorry.

[manni83 0]

Yes they will need more advice to that. Just imagine a person who is not familar with the terms used in that country reading your application. It may result in a RFE. Please type on a seperate sheet of paper giving details to the violation. If you can explain it properly and in detail you will not have a problem. Be sure to properly label that extra sheet with the number of the question and your case number on the top right hand side of the page.

Thanks for your replies!

So basically, my police cert says "threatening abusive behaviour" towards somebody. I was (badly) advised not to comment on the incident during the police interview and was never able to back myself up. This was to protect my job at the time, my manager had been accused of braking somebodies jaw during the incident on a night out. They called me in because I was familiar with some of the men and they obviously wanted his name and hear my side of the story.

Should I be honest and explain all this on the separate sheet, or would it be better getting a detailed report from the police? Of course, i'm not going to deny what I am accused of but it would help explain the situation. The case didn't go to court so there will be no court records anyway? I also hear its not a "crime of moral turpitude" so i'm not sure they wouldn't be too interested in looking into detail.

[trojam227 18]

In my opinion, don't put anything in writing. Let them ask you at the interview what happened. They will be looking for a possible CIMT...otherwise a caution doesn't make you inadmissible.