Does Petty Theft Go On Your Record

[dane79]

hey as i m charged with petty theft .....i need to know does it come under my permanent record and will it effect my immegration process......and if it does come in my record is there any way to avoid it...its my first offence and no history at all.........

[jk]

don't presume the term "petty" means insignificant. It merely is a term used to differentiate theft of a limited value as compared to grand theft which would include items of greater value.

Of course this is on your permanent record. If a deferred adjudication of some sort is available to you would be state dependent, which you have not included in your post.

[made a bad choice]

I have learned based on my own recent personal experience, that theft or larceny of any type (petit or felony) is considered a crime of moral perpitude, which means that they will question your ability or desire to be a productive and law abiding individual, which can definitely affect your immigration process.

A criminal defense attorney can assist you with this matter, and if in fact your record is truly clean, you will probably receive minimal punishment (fine, probation, deferred adjudication, etc.) from the prosecuting court, but as far as immigration is concerned it is a whole different matter. They will take the moral perpitude issue into consideration. Your attorney may be able to help you with that or they may refer you to an immigration attorney.