Hey y'all,
I have been a permanent resident ever since my mom married a citizen in 1997 - 1998. Until 2009 - 2010, I didn't have a criminal record. But during a couple of months in those 2 years, I got into a lot of trouble with the law.
The first time I was arrested was when I was caught with a broken bike I found on campus. During this time, a lot of bikes were being reported stolen - which is why they stopped me. I told them I found it and they didn't buy it. They processed me, took pictures, fingerprints, and then released me without a ticket. I didn't even have to have a meeting with the Dean. The second time I was apprehended I got caught walking with a bong and a roach (End of marijuana joint) in my beanie on a street in Ila Vista. Even though I had my doctor's recommendation to legally possess marijuana (SB 420), I spent the night in jail because I was supposedly "Resisting Arrest".
Then a couple of days later, I got into a scuffle with 2 dudes and the cops said I was "Resisting Arrest" again after they saw us. Both times I was basically protecting myself from these police officers attempting to tackle me face first to the sidewalk median preventing them from busting my face open and making me lose all my front teeth... Anyway, I spent about 3 days in jail. The next time I had an encounter with an officer was when I took a left turn when it clearly stated not to. I also got a speeding ticket a couple of days later, which I failed to pay at first because I was in custody - resulting in an additional fine.
One night I was in Malibu and this cop (Who was threatening to beat me up when I didn't even show any disrespect or signs of struggle) gave me a ticket for an open container. I also had a katana (Samurai sword) in the back and I was also underage (Somehow I was able to buy beer without an ID.) Back in Santa Barbara, I was smoking in my car all night and I suddenly got the bubble guts. I couldn't think of anything else at the time, so I dropped a deuce at the nearby park. Officers caught me and gave me a ticket for "Public Defecation".
Thus I was in grocery store one day and I was going to buy whatever looked good. I didn't have a list I wrote down, I was just going to buy whatever I was craving. So I was walking around the store for a couple of minutes and found some chocolate chop cookies (The clerk said something but I was listening to music so I just ignored it), I was looking for milk and then the store manager accuses me of shoplifting when I wasn't anywhere near the exit. Instead of arguing and giving them any business, I just went back to my car and took bong hits. A few minutes later, a lot of cops showed up. Like 20 or so. Crown Vics were blocking pretty much every parking lot lane. After being harassed by these cops threatening to cause physical harm, I saw an opening for an exit and took it. I noticed that the cops were behind me with lights on, but I ignored them. Eventually a police SUV blocks me in a lane and then I drive around it. At this point, I was going to run from the police and go to a multi-level parking lot or shopping mall, ditching the ride. Eventually I lost them for a few minutes but I was high and stupid enough to try and park the car at the campus parking lot - which was right next to campus police headquarters. I tried to drive around the parking lot and either park the car and make a run for it or exit and go to the mall but by this time they blocked all exits. So I went to the top of the parking lot trying to lose them and make a run for it down the stairs but helicopters were already waiting for me. When I was in custody, they took a breathalyzer test, made me walk from toe-to-heel, heel-to-toe, some tests on my eyes and that was it. I spent 3 nights in jail and I was charged with DUI... Luckily.
After a couple of days laying low, I was back in Santa Barbara smoking weed in a car again. Some cops came and I refused to open the door. They couldn't charge me for anything but they gave me a ticket, that wasn't really a ticket. I totally forgot what it's called. I never showed up for the court date I was told to go to and I'm pretty sure I threw the ticket away. The following afternoon, I was smoking again and some officers came knocking at my window. This time a little bit of marijuana was near the front seat and they did a search. They found my safe which they found the key to and opened it; finding just under an ounce of weed, money, a marijuana horticulture book, and containers I kept from buying small amounts of cannabis. I told them about my doctor's recommendation but they "Couldn't find it." They booked me and charged me with "Possession with the Intent to Sell." I spent another 13 days in jail and I was released after my case was dismissed because of my recommendation and lack of evidence.
After all of this, I had classes a day later and I was arrested again. I found a laptop on campus while working; instead of misusing the Universities monetary resources and looking for the lost and found room, I left it in my backpack and planned to turn it in when I would have time. Eventually the cops found me and handcuffed me. I honestly didn't even know why I was being detained until I was questioned. They searched my backpack without my consent... I wasn't even there with it. I spent 5 days in jail and was charged with "Misappropriation of Lost Property."
I did the time, did all of the community service hours, paid all of the fines, met with the Dean, and took all of the necessary DUI classes. I did a background check on myself at beenverified but I only found 1 record in my criminal history (at Santa Barbara). It didn't even state which one and for what.
I went to court for the time I was caught with a bong and a joint and I remember having to take some classes or do community service but I never did. I remember paying a $30 fine about a year later and the clerk never said anything. I don't remember ever having to go to court for my first resisting arrest charge nor do I remember paying a fine or doing community service. I paid the fines for taking the left turn and I did the community service. I also paid the speeding ticket fines.
When I went to court for the open container in Malibu, they didn't mention the sword or the fact that I was underage with beer in the car. I paid the fines and did the community service. As for the defecation ticket, it was dismissed at one of my court dates for the possession/intent to sell case. As for the high speed chase, I paid the fines, did the required community service and took the DUI classes. As for the misappropriation of lost property case, I paid all the fines and did the community service.
To put in short, I did everything the courts wanted/required of me. Something important to note is that I have been diagnosed with a mental illness (Paranoid Schizophrenia) after all of this and have been since. Also that, my unsupervised probation will end in February 2013, about a month before my green card expires.
Now what I want/need to know is if I can still somehow get citizenship. My mom's "Lawyer" has said that I should get my record expunged. However, I've read at least twice on the internet that all expunged records must be shown. So what are my options? Should I just re-new my green card and wait 2 years to apply for citizenship (I think I read somewhere that one should wait at least 5 years after probation to apply for citizenship.)
(Sorry for the long read, I just wanted to be thorough and complete with my question)
Thanks!

