I-485 form arrested/detained question?

[dany2012 2]

When i was 13 i got caught shoplifting some stickers and was worth 17$ they called officer he took me in police station and gave me court day, I went to court and paid fine. I was never taken into jail etc. I was also caught driving without a license they didn't arrest me they just gave me citation with court day, went to court and charged with misdemeanor and paid fine, was never in jail or taken finger prints etc.

My question should i put Yes?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You must put yes and explain the details of you will be banned for material misrepresentation. Shoplifting is a CIMT so you may have to get a waiver. Since you were young I think it's not as bad but I don't know the specifics.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Dave&Roza 748]

When i was 13 i got caught shoplifting some stickers and was worth 17$ they called officer he took me in police station and gave me court day, I went to court and paid fine. I was never taken into jail etc. I was also caught driving without a license they didn't arrest me they just gave me citation with court day, went to court and charged with misdemeanor and paid fine, was never in jail or taken finger prints etc.

My question should i put Yes?

Even though your police report starts at 16 you were arrested and fined for the shoplifting offense. The drivng without a license is a traffic violation and you do not need to include that, but you do need to answer "YES" and explain. You may not have been placed into jail, but if you look at the entire list of items you were convicted and ordered to pay fine for breaking a law.

Just answer "YES" explain what happened like you did here and move on. That's a lot more painless than trying to split hairs and not mention it IMHO.

Good luck,

Dave

[Hypnos 6,576]

You must answer "yes".

You do, however, qualify for the under 18 exception if you were under 18 when you committed the crime, and if it has been at least five years since you committed the crime or were released from imprisonment (if applicable), and that is your one and only CIMT.

INA 212 a 2 (A) 2 ii (I): http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86941.pdf

Edited October 11, 2013 by Hypnos

[Shiobhan 235]

You put yes and explain the 13 yr old offense will

not require a waiver

[loladolly 51]

Do you need to give court record for an I485 when you got arrested for a traffic violation like driving without a license. I know this is a traffic violation but when a arrest is involved doesn't it need the court records anyway? It shouldn't affect the answer to question, it is still no since it is a traffic matter right? But it is still confusing if it requires court records because of the arrest (not taken to jail or anything, just fingerprinting because already at the police station)