I have been looking for clarification about ACOD
Ill tell you my case..
Im on h4 visa and my husband is on h1
I was arrested for shoplifting and charged with petit larceny i live in newyork
I hired a criminal lawyer and we went for my first court appearance ( arraignment) and pleaded not guilty.. the judge let me go on ROR ( released on own recognisance) and gave me a later date after a month to appear for my second court date
Right before the second court date i consulted an immigration attorney who is friends with my criminal attorney
The immig attorney said the best option in my case would be to get an ACOD since an acod gets sealed immediately and recors are permanantly sealed after 6 months
The immig attorney said the 2nd best option would be a disorderly conduct since its a violation
When i went for my second court appearance , my criminal attorney said she had spoken with the immig attorney.. and told me that she had a talk ( i think with the DA) .. and they had offered me an ACOD..
But in return for the Acod i had to attend the STOPLIFT class ( Its a one day class offered in newyork)
My stoplift class date is coming up.. But im still confused..
I cannot contact the immig attorney.. and i am confused and nervous about a few things.. especially since i also have to get my visa extended soon
My concerns are..
Even though on the first court date i pleaded not guilty.. will taking the stoplift class be counted as admitting to guilt of shoplifting.. from immg and INS and USCIS point of view?
Will taking the stoplift class , even though i will be given an ACod , be still considered admission of guilt to crime of moral turpitude? ( which is the biggest problem for INS)
Is the ACOD worth it if i take the stoplifting class? I mean if acod with stoplifting class constitutes admission of guilt to petit larceny from INS point of view then what do i do?
Would it have been better to ask for the violation disorderly conduct deaL?
i am hoping you would be able to give some sound advice about this ACod and its immigration and visa consequences..especially for newyork...
i do realise the rules and laws vary from state to state.. im in newyork

