Usa and criminal records

princesslizzie

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

I would hazard a guess that TDA is an acronym for Taking and Driving Away, ie, car theft.

Yep car theft, although I think it was a scooter. He's rather embarrassed about it and hates discussing it.

dzug

You are in luck. Assuming he didn't intend to keep the scooter/car (ie just 'joy' riding) it's not moral turpitude and therefore he is eligible for the visa waiver scheme. He can quite truthfully tick the no box on the form.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude

lightning15uk

hi

can someone help me please my son was arrested april 2007 for criminal damage he had to go on a youth offenders scheme am i right in believing he does not need a visa thanks he is now 14 he will be 15 in august when he is in the usa

sturll

FWIW i have convictions for Assault, Leaving the scene & Criminal damage.

I have gained entry to the USA 5 time in the last 2 years with no problem at all. Just tick all the no boxes on the green card and you'll be fine.

cpfcstar

I've heard that their policy does not include people convicted for vandalism reasons, a police man at my college told me a few months ago.

Yorkshire-Lady_3

dzug wrote: »

Yes - if you follow the rules you still have to apply for a visa. However, juvenile crime is ignored in deciding whether you get one.

My friends son was arrested at her request - ie please give it to him hard to teach him a lesson when he was 10. (It was an incident at school that he got caught up in)
He was refused a visa last year at age 14. The fact that it was school related meant it was refused. (They are very cautious when it comes to school related incidents apparently)
He didn't have to attend the Embassy.

They had to cancel the holiday.

sturll

Yorkshire-Lady wrote: »

My friends son was arrested at her request - ie please give it to him hard to teach him a lesson when he was 10. (It was an incident at school that he got caught up in)
He was refused a visa last year at age 14. The fact that it was school related meant it was refused. (They are very cautious when it comes to school related incidents apparently)
He didn't have to attend the Embassy.

They had to cancel the holiday.

But the only information shared with US authorities is sex offences and terrorism charges.

Had he just ticked 'no' on his form there would have been no problem. Added to that since he didnt get charged with anything but only a friendly warning i seriously doubt the parents concerned have a braincell between them.

Sam_Bee

I think it would be difficult to request your 15 year old lie on a Visa Waiver form when it's full of hyperbole about death penalty, terrorism and communism!

However, I got convicted for driving without a license in an American Court and think it would have been absurd to declare it on any subsequent visits, because it could have caused problems as the Americans can be so anal about trivial matters.

I think most people would be insane to declare any trivial matters, or apply for a visa where the issue will be flagged for the only time, however, it's up to you to interpret 'trivial' and for your morals to decide! However, if you do feel the need to declare any minor misdemeanours I would suggest you make your life easier and holiday elsewhere.