I recently visited the US on business & holiday. I arrived in Friday evening, and joined some friends for a night out. On leaving a club at around 04.30 Saturday morning, I was pushed around by the doorman for no reason, I did not react violently & I didn't curse in any way. I asked not to be pushed around, and noticed there were a couple of NYPD officers standing outside, so asked them if they could get this doorman to back off. The officers told me to move along ... and as I did I commented "ok, don't shoot me" ... yes a stupid sarcastic comment which I probably shouldn't have made. However, next thing I knew they had me in hand cuffs and put me in the back of a police car! The whole time I was very polite, and didn't want to aggravate anyone, and asked to be released so that I could go back to my hotel. They took my name, and my hotel address, and after 10 minutes released me with a pink "summons" slip.
Being a UK citizen, I had / have no idea about US law, so went to see an attorney, who charged me $1000 and told me he would appear on my behalf to get the Disorderly Conduct charged lessened. As I was only there on holiday, I will not be around on the date of the court hearing/summons.
I have a few questions related to the above, and would really appreciate it if someone could give me their advice...
1) I visit the US every now and again (not Manhattan) for business, will the above disorderly conduct charge be recorded against my name anywhere? I mean when I enter the US on business, will they see from my name that I have had a disorderly conduct charge? (NO one took my passport number from me, and the officers even miss spelt my first name)
2) Do I need to declare the above as an arrest or anything else on my visa entry form (green slip) when I enter the US next time?
3) Will I have to go back to Manhattan to specifically appear in front of a court, or can the attorney do everything for me?
4) Could I have ignored the pink summons slip and just returned home, without any future repercussions for entry into the US?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Being a UK citizen, I had / have no idea about US law, so went to see an attorney, who charged me $1000 and told me he would appear on my behalf to get the Disorderly Conduct charged lessened. As I was only there on holiday, I will not be around on the date of the court hearing/summons.
I have a few questions related to the above, and would really appreciate it if someone could give me their advice...
1) I visit the US every now and again (not Manhattan) for business, will the above disorderly conduct charge be recorded against my name anywhere? I mean when I enter the US on business, will they see from my name that I have had a disorderly conduct charge? (NO one took my passport number from me, and the officers even miss spelt my first name)
2) Do I need to declare the above as an arrest or anything else on my visa entry form (green slip) when I enter the US next time?
3) Will I have to go back to Manhattan to specifically appear in front of a court, or can the attorney do everything for me?
4) Could I have ignored the pink summons slip and just returned home, without any future repercussions for entry into the US?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
