A Dismissed Charge and Greencard Application

[sheliadd]

Hi, can anybody help me since I've worried so much? I am planning to apply for my greencard through marriage. But I stole $30 value item from a store 1 year ago. I wasn't arrested and there was no fingerpint. But the plicemen gave me the ticket for the courthouse.I was charged with larceny, and the charge was dismissed after I finished 40 hours community service. Then the the charge was expunged by the help of my lawyer. Do I need to get the charge docments from the courthouse for my greencard application? and How can I get the record since the charge was expunged? I have no any record on my hand. Will this dismissed case affect my application? I've worried so much and I almost couldn't sleep? Can anybody give me some suggestion?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You can check with the court to see what, if any, records you can get from the court. Laws vary by state.

As you were prosecuted, you should expect to have to disclose this incident. If you entered a guilty plea or allocuted (stated facts on the record admitting to the offense), the USCIS can treat you as having been convicted of the offense. If you're not sure what happened, call the lawyer who assisted you with your plea and find out.

If the charge was a relatively minor offense (e.g., a 90 day misdemeanor) the odds are it won't prevent your application, although it may slow things down.