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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    2

    Question US Citizenship Application with a Misdemeanor Theft Conviction and Arrest Warrant

    I am applying for US Citizenship this month and came across the stupidest mistake I made in the past.
    Went through dozens of forum threads about similar cases and more I read, more confused and scared I get.

    Back in Spring of 2002 I had a ticket for a shoplifting (total value of less than $50), went to the court for the first time, was assigned and attorney, she was contacting me strictly by phone about the case (no mail). As I found out about a year later, she failed to notify me about the court date and there was a warrant for my arrest for not going to court!
    (I was a very busy student at the time and had very little money, so I was happy that they delayed my court hearing and I wasn't asked to pay fines yet. If I only knew...)
    Well, as soon as I knew about the warrant, I voluntarily went straight to the county jail, spent about 6 hours there, was assigned a new court date (September 2003) and let go.
    Got another attorney as advised (which only said, my only option is to plea guilty, so I did).
    Final Court Disposition states:
    Sentence for Misdemeanor (Theft 3), a $250 fine, no contact with the "Store", 12 month probation and completion of Theft Counseling Program within 60 days.
    Maximum possible charges were: 30 days jail and a $1000 fine

    So... for N-400 US Citizenship Application I got copies of all court records, including the arrest warrant, they do not have anything about my trip to jail besides that. Also, I got the certificate stating I completed the Rehabilitation Program, advised by the judge.

    Is there anything else I should provide? Such as jail record (fingerprint check?), receipts of my payments of fines? Do they need the details of the incident from the store security? Because court doesn't have one...

    Should the explanation letter be attached to the N-400 Application along will all documents, or is it better to explain everything about my shoplifting at the interview?

    Can my Citizenship Application be denied for this?

    From what I figured, this falls under Petty Offense Exception, is this correct?

    P.S. This was my ONLY ticket.

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Kings Bay
    Posts
    28

    Default Re: US Citizenship Application and Misdemeanor (Theft 3) Conviction + Arrest Warrant

    You should be fine, get all of the paperwork you can from the court make copies and send it with the N-400. On a seperate sheet of paper, explain what happened including the incident with the lawyer, dates & times and outcome.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    2

    Smile Re: US Citizenship Application with a Misdemeanor (Theft 3) Conviction and Arrest War

    Thank you for such quick response

    I am going back to the courthouse tomorrow to get the certified copy of my record & receipts for my payments, will mail out my N-400 the following day.
    If anyone is in similar situation and wants to know the outcome, please let me know and I will post updates in this thread.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    1

    Default Re: US Citizenship Application with a Misdemeanor (Theft 3) Conviction and Arrest War

    so what happened,,were u able to get ur citizenship???or was this a problem???did they mention anything about to you or not yet???

    Quote Quoting na3ooma
    View Post
    so what happened,,were u able to get ur citizenship???or was this a problem???did they mention anything about to you or not yet???
    please if you this reply....my sister is in the same situation and she is about to apply for her citizenship she was never arrested but she did get probation and community service,she was 21 at the time

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    1

    Question Re: US Citizenship Application with a Misdemeanor Theft Conviction and Arrest Warrant

    Please let me know the outcome of your application. thanks a lot

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