QUESTION
Can I apply for citizenship after shoplifting arrest?
Asked on Mar 11th, 2014 on Immigration - California
More details to this question:
I was arrested for shoplifting about 13 years ago (August 2001) not sure the exact date. I got booked, jailed for about 30 minutes to an hour and got bailed out. Went to court and paid all my fine. My questions are, will I be able to apply for U.S. citizenship and what are my chances? There's a part in the application about criminal records, do I answer "YES" or "NO".
3 ANSWERS
Personal Injury Attorney serving Pasadena, CA
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Law Offices of Pius Joseph
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Generally petty crimes do not matter. In crimes of moral turpitudes you must wait five years before applying for Naturalization.
Answered on Mar 12th, 2014 at 7:09 PM
Immigration Attorney serving Arlington, TX
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Law Office of Pho Ethan Tran, PLLC
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If your only arrest and conviction was for shoplifting (misdemeanor) 13 years ago, you should be eligible for naturalization because the conviction falls within the one-time petty offense exception.
Answered on Mar 12th, 2014 at 2:08 AM
You answer yes because you will be fingerprinted and it will come up as a hit anyway. However, you can provide all the supporting documentation from the police and court records as to the disposition of your case and most likely it will not affect it. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.
Answered on Mar 12th, 2014 at 2:07 AM