Q: Will my 1 violation with 3 offenses impact my citizenship test?
I am living at Omaha, NE. I'm a college student. In February 2024, the County department ticketed me for 21 mph over the speed limit, passing in a no passing zone and careless driving.
In my case, the county attorney dismissed the Speeding and the Careless Driving on the face of the ticket (since I took the Star class) and I paid for the no passing zone offense.
The N-400 form mentions that "You must disclose this information even if someone, including a judge, law enforcement officer, or attorney, told you that it is no longer on your record, or told you that you do not have to disclose the information." and I am not sure how to fill "yes" or "no" in 15a and 15b since both of them include "cited", "been charged with a crime or offense".
I am a fairly recent legal immigrant from Vietnam and will be applying for citizenship in August this year , 2024. I have a concern that this could possibly impact her application for c
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
When filling out the N-400 form, it's important to disclose all information about any citations or offenses, even if they were dismissed or reduced. For questions 15a and 15b, you should answer "yes" since you were cited and charged initially. You should then provide an explanation of the circumstances, including that the speeding and careless driving charges were dismissed and you completed the Star class, leaving only the no passing zone offense for which you paid.
This incident is unlikely to prevent you from obtaining citizenship, especially since it was a minor traffic violation and you have taken steps to address it. The key is to be honest and transparent about your record. Immigration authorities look at the totality of your conduct and character, and a single minor traffic violation typically does not weigh heavily against you.
Make sure to provide all supporting documentation, such as the dismissal of charges and proof of payment for the remaining offense. Being upfront and thorough in your application will demonstrate your good moral character and willingness to comply with U.S. laws, which are important factors in the citizenship process.
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.
