Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Quite the Criminal...  (Read 981 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 396

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
  • Location: Brighton, UK
Quite the Criminal...
« on: July 28, 2009, 10:45:48 AM »
Hmm. So I've been stewing over my application, and I'm wondering if I don't have an outstanding speeding ticket somewhere that I've missed (I used to do a lot of cross-country driving since my parents lived in different corners of the States, and I've been pulled over a couple of times). I'd like to find out if I do so I can take care of it before I mail in my docs.

1. Will an unpaid speeding ticket affect my visa application? Do they do an extensive background check?

2. Does anyone know how I would go about finding out if I have an unpaid speeding ticket somewhere? Obviously I could just phone up the court if I knew the location, but seeing as I'm not sure if I even have one in the first place...

Sigh.

Jen





  • *
  • Posts: 51

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location: Bayswater, London
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2009, 01:54:54 PM »
Hi,

This is information I just received today from Worldbridge Services regarding speeding tickets, etc on your spousal application.  I've highlighted the part that seems to pertain to your situation, which sounds like something you wouldn't have to list.  Hope this helps!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applications made on and after that date will normally be refused if the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence and the conviction has not yet become ‘spent’ in accordance with the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Application forms and guides will be updated in due course.

We will carry out criminal record checks on all applications from people aged 10 and over.

You must also provide details of all civil proceedings which have resulted in a court order being made against you.

You must give details of all unspent criminal convictions. This includes road traffic offences but not fixed penalty notices (such as speeding or parking tickets) unless they were given in court. You must include all drink-driving offences. An explanation of unspent convictions is given below.

If you have an unspent conviction, your application for citizenship is unlikely to be successful. You should wait until the end of your rehabilitation period before applying.

If you have been convicted of a criminal offence you must declare your unspent convictions but do not need to declare ones that are spent. A conviction becomes spent after a certain period of time has passed (we call this the rehabilitation period). The length of time it takes for a conviction to become spent will depend on your sentence. It starts from the date on which you are convicted. The period may be shorter if you were aged under 18 at the time of your conviction.

If you have been sentenced to more than 30 months in prison for a single offence, this can never become spent. Your application for citizenship is therefore unlikely to be successful.

If you have been convicted of a criminal offence but the rehabilitation period has passed by the time you make your application you do not need to provide details of the conviction on your application form. If you were convicted of a further offence during the rehabilitation period of your original conviction, the rehabilitation period for your original conviction may be extended.

If you have been convicted of a criminal offence and the spent period has not passed you must include details of the conviction on your application form. If the conviction is unspent at the time of your application, it is unlikely that your application will be successful.

You must tell us if you have ever had any involvement in terrorism. If you do not regard something as an act of terrorism but others do or might, you must mention it when making your application


  • *
  • Posts: 396

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
  • Location: Brighton, UK
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2009, 02:04:23 PM »
Thanks for the information!

My worry is that even a speeding ticket, if unpaid, can turn into something much worse. (Perhaps I'm getting a bit paranoid now that application time has come?) But I don't know if a little county's speeding tickets will show up on a background check, and worse, I don't know if there's a way to do a nationwide search for these things myself so I can take care of it. If I do have one outstanding, it would have been from years and years ago, before I moved to Portland.

Boo. Maybe there's a way to run a background check on myself...
Jen





  • *
  • Posts: 396

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
  • Location: Brighton, UK
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2009, 02:08:55 PM »
Pfft. Easy-peasy: I can run a background check on myself through the local courthouse! If I do have any unpaid speeding tickets, they should show up.

Sorry to bother you guys with this. I got really worried...  :P
Jen





Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2009, 02:13:59 PM »
The only states that won't show up are Pennsylvania and Alabama since they do not disclose their records. I found this out when I was trying to add my ex to my car insurance policy about 4 years ago, he had gotten a HUGE speeding ticket (doing 86 in a 55) and it didn't show. We did tell the agent about it, but he said that since it was PA he couldn't verify it because they do not disclose their records.

The only problem with your situation is that if you do have one and it hasn't been addressed you could have a bench warrant for you for not taking care of it. Which will complicate things.


  • *
  • Banned
  • Posts: 2515

    • Becca Jane St Clair
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jun 2008
  • Location: Lancaster, PA to Lincoln, UK
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2009, 02:21:41 PM »
The only states that won't show up are Pennsylvania and Alabama since they do not disclose their records. I found this out when I was trying to add my ex to my car insurance policy about 4 years ago, he had gotten a HUGE speeding ticket (doing 86 in a 55) and it didn't show. We did tell the agent about it, but he said that since it was PA he couldn't verify it because they do not disclose their records.


Wow, I didn't know that about PA. BUT, you can do a background check through the PA State Police for $10. I've had to have it done anytime I worked with a volunteer organization that involves kids, and it's something you can do on your own.
http://blog.beccajanestclair.com

Met Tim Online: 2004 ~ Met IRL in the US: 6/2005
Engaged: 23/09/2009 ~ Married:  05/11/2009
Biometrics Submitted: 28/12/2009 ~ Spousal Visa Application Submitted: 12/31/2009
Spousal Visa Issued: 31/12/2009 ~ Move Date: 21/1/2010


  • *
  • Posts: 396

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: May 2009
  • Location: Brighton, UK
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2009, 09:05:38 AM »
The good news: no speeding tickets, nothing to worry about.

The bad news: I'm worried anyway. I can't wait for a week today, when we (hopefully, if the visa application isn't delayed) get on that plane.
Jen





Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2009, 09:12:20 AM »
That's a weight off the mind then!

Really try not to worry...there's nothing that you can do about it at this point but, just try and relax. Go for a massage or do something you really enjoy and stop sitting at the computer refreshing your email 200 times a day like I did!



  • *
  • Posts: 2740

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location: London
Re: Quite the Criminal...
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2009, 09:23:40 AM »
...and stop sitting at the computer refreshing your email 200 times a day like I did!



That is totally what I did for 2 months....
Finally living with my Husband in London after 6 1/2 years together but apart... and loving my life!


Sponsored Links