Legal Question in Immigration Law in Washington

Caught Shoplifted at Macy's in Seattle

Hi,

I am from India.

I was caught shoplifting at Macy's

in Northgate mall, Seattle. The

amount was about $97 (for 3

shirts).

The person there took my license

(Indian License) as an ID and

uploaded it somewhere in the

database.

He made me to sign on 2 papers

a) Controlled release form

b) Admission card.

He told me that there will be some

mail coming at my address which

will have some amount that has to

be paid.

There was no police called and no

finger prints were taken.

I am here on B1-visa and I have to

go back to India on Jun20.

Please let me know:

1) When will the mail be reaching

me (that indicates the amount to

be paid)?

2) How will it effect my future trips

to US?

3) If i will be able to give fine, will it

be a crime?

4) Will it hamper my chances of

getting green card/citizenship in

future?

5) If i will not be able to pay the

fine (may be due to the fact that i

do not receive the mail), what are

the consequences?

6) What will be the fine amount?

7) Will i be deported before Jun20?

Please help.


Asked on 5/25/09, 3:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Amir John Showrai The Pacific Law Firm, PLLC

Re: Caught Shoplifted at Macy's in Seattle

I'm going to answer your questions in a corresponding numerical order.

1) I have no idea when Nordstrom's mail will reach you. That is up to them.

2) Since no police were called out, I do not see how this will affect your ability to make future trips. In other words, it should not affect you.

3) It may be a criminal admission, but then again, from what you wrote above, it sounds as if you already signed something that amounts to a criminal admission of a crime. Still, I've never heard of such a statement later being turned into a criminal record. In other words, I don't see how this will affect your immigration situation, given that there is no arrest or ticket having been issued.

4) This will only hamper your chances of a green card or citizenship if it turns into something that becomes part of your criminal background, and even then, for such a minor crime, it may still be possible to obtain a green card or citizenship

5) I doubt there are any serious consequences of not paying a fine. In fact, I'm not sure on what authority the fine is being sent out. If you provided a local address for the fine, just have your friend or family member who receives it contact you when whatever they send comes and then decide what to do.

6) I have no idea.

7) No.

Read more
Answered on 5/25/09, 6:19 pm


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