Effect Of Petty Theft Charges On U.S. Citizenship Application
I was caught with Petty Theft charge at Kohls store in California. I have been charged with Petty Theft and I have my court date in next week. I am a Green Card holder and I would be completing my 5 yrs of residency soon in few months. I will be eligible to apply for my US Citizenship soon, but I am concerned whether the petty theft charges would affect my US Citizenship application or not. Will I be denied of US Citizenship if I apply for it now. Please help me with that.
I am feeling so embarrassed about the whole thing and it was the worst mistake I have ever comitted in my whole life. I have learned my lesson and would never ever do such kind of thing in my life again.
This is my First Offense and I regret of this big mistake that i have committed.
Re: Effect Of Petty Theft Charges On U.S. Citizenship Application
It probably will be classified under the "petty offense exception" to crimes of moral turpitude, assuming it's a typical 90-day misdemeanor charge, such that it won't prevent naturalization. But you should still get help from a criminal defense lawyer to see if you can avoid a conviction.