Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

I have an out oTf state valid Washington state drivers license. As you may know, undocumented immigrants are able to obtain drivers license in that state. Couple of days ago, I was pulled over for a traffic violation and the officer cited me for the traffic violation as well as VC 12500(a), which is driving without valid license. In California, you must obtain CA drivers license within 10 days of residing in the state. I told the officer I was here for about 3 weeks and at that point, he said he has to cite me for driving without valid license even after I showed him my WA state license. When I researched vc 12500(a), I found out that it is a misdemeanor and that I would have to go to court for arraignment....I am really worried about this. If I were to be convicted of this traffic misdemeanor, I would have that under my criminal history.

Can this negatively affect any immigration application I might appy later on??? Is this going to negatively affect my "good moral character"? Would it be worth it for me to go through the trouble to clear my name of this traffic misdemeanor by going through all the hoopla? Or should I just plead guilty, pay the fines, and get it done with? In your experience, can traffic misdemeanor (driving without valid license) be a factor in being denied green card, or even citizenship application later in the future? Thank you so much


Asked on 11/07/10, 7:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Latangie Williams Law Office of Latangie Williams, P.A.

This does not have an adverse effect on your future immigration applications. However, be weary of two misdemeanors or one felony which have serious immigration consequences.

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Answered on 11/12/10, 8:20 pm


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