Q: N-400 application Question: I had a handicap space parking ticket last year, and a fine of $500 was paid.
How do I answer this question, knowing fully well that I received a citation/ticket for a handicap space parking violation last year, and a fine of $500 was paid. ? - Have you EVER been arrested, cited, detained, or confined by any law enforcement officer, military official (in the U.S. or elsewhere), or immigration official for any reason, or been charged with a crime or offense, or notified that you were being investigated for a crime?
Include all the crimes and offenses in the United States or anywhere in the world (including domestic violence, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and crimes and offenses while you were under 18 years of age) which you EVER:
Committed, agreed to commit, or asked someone else to commit; Were arrested, cited, detained, or confined for by any law enforcement officer, military official (in the U.S. or elsewhere), or immigration official;
Were charged with committing, helping commit, or trying to commit;
Pled guilty to; Were convicted of;
A:
Based on the information provided, it does not appear that a parking ticket would require you to answer "Yes" to this question on the N-400 naturalization application.
The question is specifically asking about arrests, citations, detentions, or confinement related to crimes or offenses. It also mentions investigations into crimes, pleading guilty, being convicted, or participating in alternative sentencing or rehabilitative programs.
A parking ticket, even for a handicap space violation, is typically considered a civil infraction or administrative violation rather than a criminal offense. Paying the fine is not an admission of guilt to a crime.
However, if there are any additional circumstances surrounding the parking ticket incident that might fall under the categories mentioned in the question, it would be best to consult with an immigration attorney for guidance on how to properly answer this question on your N-400 application.
In general, for straightforward parking tickets without any other criminal implications, you would likely not need to disclose this information on your naturalization application.
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