Hi, I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to be posting this on so please advise me if I need to move it to a different one.
I am a UK citizen and whilst on holiday in Arizona recently I was stopped for speeding. I was in a 65mph zone and the officer informed me that I was doing approx 100mph, although I have not seen proof of this. I was given a criminal citation and told I had a month to sort this out.
I tried calling the court on several occasions whilst still in the US but was told the citation had not yet been filed. On my return to the UK I tried again, the citation had been filed and I was told that if I pleaded guilty I would receive a $300 fine and a Class 3 misdemeanour which would remain on my record forever.
My concern is that I travel frequently to the US on business - usually at least twice a month - and I have a C1/D American visa. I understand that having a Class 3 misdemeanour on your record does not preclude you from applying or reapplying for a visa, but I am concerned that I may have trouble getting through immigration or be taken to one side for special handling each time I visit.
As a UK citizen I am not fully familiar with your legal system and would appreciate advice on whether it would be worth me contacting a local attorney and attempting to arrange some sort of plea bargain, with regards to a probation period of some description as opposed to receiving a criminal record. I don't have a criminal record in the UK and for the last nine years that I have been travelling to the US I have not had any dealings with the police authorities.
Any advice would be appreciated as I do not have much time left to get back in touch with the courts.
Many thanks
I am a UK citizen and whilst on holiday in Arizona recently I was stopped for speeding. I was in a 65mph zone and the officer informed me that I was doing approx 100mph, although I have not seen proof of this. I was given a criminal citation and told I had a month to sort this out.
I tried calling the court on several occasions whilst still in the US but was told the citation had not yet been filed. On my return to the UK I tried again, the citation had been filed and I was told that if I pleaded guilty I would receive a $300 fine and a Class 3 misdemeanour which would remain on my record forever.
My concern is that I travel frequently to the US on business - usually at least twice a month - and I have a C1/D American visa. I understand that having a Class 3 misdemeanour on your record does not preclude you from applying or reapplying for a visa, but I am concerned that I may have trouble getting through immigration or be taken to one side for special handling each time I visit.
As a UK citizen I am not fully familiar with your legal system and would appreciate advice on whether it would be worth me contacting a local attorney and attempting to arrange some sort of plea bargain, with regards to a probation period of some description as opposed to receiving a criminal record. I don't have a criminal record in the UK and for the last nine years that I have been travelling to the US I have not had any dealings with the police authorities.
Any advice would be appreciated as I do not have much time left to get back in touch with the courts.
Many thanks