Q: Q: Do I have to declare my two contempt of court charges if it was expunged on a Student Visa for Australia?
My two Contempt of Court charges were because I forgot to pay my traffic tickets and show up to court. But I got all of them expunged 3 years ago
A:
When applying for an Australian student visa, you're typically asked about any criminal convictions, and this includes charges and their outcomes. While your contempt of court charges were expunged, some jurisdictions may still view them as part of your record. The general practice is to be truthful and disclose even expunged records if the question is broad enough to encompass them.
It's also important to provide context, as in your case, where the contempt charges arose from unpaid traffic tickets. Misrepresenting or omitting information on a visa application can lead to more severe consequences than disclosing the information upfront. However, it's critical to consult with an attorney familiar with Australian immigration law to understand your specific obligations and any potential implications.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
