Two Interview Experiences with Traffic Tickets

[JimmyHou 611]

I came across this interview experience description on another forum... it's really interesting and shows how different officers deal with the issue of traffic tickets. This is a description of the experiences of two married applicants who were interviewed on the same day in New Jersey.

http://www.***removed***/forum/showthread.php/124392-My-quite-instructive-naturalization-interview-experience

Note that in this case, it sounds like the applicant's wife may have got in trouble if she hadn't listed her traffic citation, because it showed up on the officer's records. But then the officer didn't require any proof.

Also note that the applicant's officer told him that it didn't matter what the instructions said, and that he needed to provide a police report for his traffic citation, not just a court disposition.

That's frustratingly inconsistent.

Edited June 18, 2014 by JimmyHou

[Birdo 16]

That is crazy. I thank my lucky stars that the officer was happy just stating "you paid the ticket, right" because I did not have any way of getting any kind of records since the ticket was already purged from the court records (infractions get purged from our local records after three years), and I doubt I could have gotten any kind of police report for it either. I was only armed with a printout of the court website where it states all infractions get purged after three years, a printout of the name search which shows no hits for my name, and my driving record from DMV showing good standing.

[alix 20]

So after reading this I remembered I got a ticket by mail for a traffic violation over a year ago (I didn't stop on the curb before turning right on red) and didn't disclose that on my N-400. I guess when I filled out the form I didn't pay realize that it was considered an offense for which I wasn't arrested. I paid for it by mail and can't find any records of that at home. I called the DMV and they said that my record was clear, that it didn't show any violations. Now I am a little concerned. I am going to get a copy of my driving records just in case. I also checked the county clerk's website and it doesn't show anything on my name. Should I bring that up on my interview?

Edited June 18, 2014 by alix

[Birdo 16]

Just my personal opinion; don't bring it up..

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

So after reading this I remembered I got a ticket by mail for a traffic violation over a year ago (I didn't stop on the curb before turning right on red) and didn't disclose that on my N-400. I guess when I filled out the form I didn't pay realize that it was considered an offense for which I wasn't arrested. I paid for it by mail and can't find any records of that at home. I called the DMV and they said that my record was clear, that it didn't show any violations. Now I am a little concerned. I am going to get a copy of my driving records just in case. I also checked the county clerk's website and it doesn't show anything on my name. Should I bring that up on my interview?

Could have been a "civil penalty" thing, like red light cameras, etc. It wouldn't show up on your record, because that's not a criminal matter.

[Messybrownhair 251]

Easiest way is to list it on the form and have proof ready if it's brought up- chances are they won't care but it's always better to be prepared and to disclose everything. I listed mine on my form, and have the ticket, receipt and print out of cashed check in case they ask for it. I'll see what happens- I have my interview in 2 weeks! (Nervous!!)

[BigDaddy28 228]

I came across this interview experience description on another forum... it's really interesting and shows how different officers deal with the issue of traffic tickets. This is a description of the experiences of two married applicants who were interviewed on the same day in New Jersey.

http://www.***removed***/forum/showthread.php/124392-My-quite-instructive-naturalization-interview-experience

Note that in this case, it sounds like the applicant's wife may have got in trouble if she hadn't listed her traffic citation, because it showed up on the officer's records. But then the officer didn't require any proof.

Also note that the applicant's officer told him that it didn't matter what the instructions said, and that he needed to provide a police report for his traffic citation, not just a court disposition.

That's frustratingly inconsistent.

JimmyHou Thank you for posting such experience because I'm sure it will help many applicants.

In my experience I had 4 speeding tickets none of them was above 500 dollars and one of them was dismissed. Honestly when I filed the application I didn't disclose them. However in the interview when the officer got to that question I made sure I asked her if that includes speeding tickets. She said she wants me to tell her the dates of the tickets just to cover everything and later wouldn't get back on me in the future. She was nice and actually she joked about how I speed a lot lol.

I would say if you did not disclose it in the application and you have your proof that it was paid, make sure you tell the officer about them. That will cover your rear in the future and you make sure you are safe with USCIS,

I'm not saying not disclosing it is bad and will hurt you but so your consciousness would be calm later

Good luck to everybody in their application.

JimmyHou, how are you doing?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Being prepared FTW!

Easiest way is to list it on the form and have proof ready if it's brought up- chances are they won't care but it's always better to be prepared and to disclose everything. I listed mine on my form, and have the ticket, receipt and print out of cashed check in case they ask for it. I'll see what happens- I have my interview in 2 weeks! (Nervous!!)

[alix 20]

This is the issue...I already mailed my form and I can't find any record of this ticket, when it happened or how I paid for it. It was a camera ticket, it caught me not stopping at the red light when I could turn right on red. All I remember is getting the ticket and paying for it. I would think that the DMV would have a record of it or the county clerk's office but clearly there's nothing there. So I guess I'll just do as silkafi88 suggested and just ask the IO during the interview, even though I don't remember the date.

[nlclhc 1]

I also forgot about a ticket, I amended my n-400 during my interview, the IO just asked me, "did you pay the ticket?", I said "yes", and we moved on.

[alix 20]

So I ended up finding the ticket....and it turns out it was on my husband's name!! Lol! No wonder there was no record of it on my name....

[Fan_Dancer 171]

I have a seat belt violation in my name, but, alas, no clue if I still have the proof I paid it. Oh, well.

[JimmyHou 611]

JimmyHou Thank you for posting such experience because I'm sure it will help many applicants.

In my experience I had 4 speeding tickets none of them was above 500 dollars and one of them was dismissed. Honestly when I filed the application I didn't disclose them. However in the interview when the officer got to that question I made sure I asked her if that includes speeding tickets. She said she wants me to tell her the dates of the tickets just to cover everything and later wouldn't get back on me in the future. She was nice and actually she joked about how I speed a lot lol.

I would say if you did not disclose it in the application and you have your proof that it was paid, make sure you tell the officer about them. That will cover your rear in the future and you make sure you are safe with USCIS,

I'm not saying not disclosing it is bad and will hurt you but so your consciousness would be calm later

Good luck to everybody in their application.

JimmyHou, how are you doing?

Hi silkafi88! It's good to see that you're still on here helping others even though you're all done.

I'm doing well.

I've got a number of traffic tickets, in different counties, but all in Texas, luckily, so I'm going to try to track them all down. Hopefully I can remember them all, because only one is still on my record. I think this has got to be the silliest requirement in the whole process. Let's say that an applicant didn't pay a speeding fine; why is that a reason to deny citizenship? They don't check to see if you've paid your property taxes; which seems a lot more serious to me.

Oh well! USCIS is full of mysteries!

[gap1 21]

I also forgot about a ticket, I amended my n-400 during my interview, the IO just asked me, "did you pay the ticket?", I said "yes", and we moved on.

We are in the same boat here. My husband turned left on a yellow light and was caught by a traffic camera. He got the ticket by mail and paid it straight away (well under $500). We misread the N-400 instructions and did not disclose it on the form. Now I'm worried!

He wouldn't have a court disposition I don't think as it was just received by mail, and there wouldn't be a police report as it wasn't given to him in person....we can call the DMV, but we've since moved states. Any thoughts on what we can get to show as evidence, should it come up (besides the receipt of payment)?

[nlclhc 1]

We are in the same boat here. My husband turned left on a yellow light and was caught by a traffic camera. He got the ticket by mail and paid it straight away (well under $500). We misread the N-400 instructions and did not disclose it on the form. Now I'm worried!

He wouldn't have a court disposition I don't think as it was just received by mail, and there wouldn't be a police report as it wasn't given to him in person....we can call the DMV, but we've since moved states. Any thoughts on what we can get to show as evidence, should it come up (besides the receipt of payment)?

I wouldn't worry, just bring the receipt of payment and you would be good to go.