Alcohol & Drugs: DUI, DWI Will DWI Conviction Affect my Citizenship Application?

[tesi]

I have been convicted for a DWI very recently. Alcohol level in my blood was 0.6 at that time. I was arrested within 1-2km away from my house and I didn't go beyond that distance. I was after my work at a stretch with a prior day night shift. My license was not cancelled yet and I started driving lessons. My case will be heard on 13/01/2015. Now my question is will this affect in my citizenship application?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

You should first go to your hearing and see whether you will be acquitted. There can be issues of zero tolerance for DUI/DWI offenses but you can cross that bridge if and when you come to it. A conviction may not be an absolute bar but it makes the chances much greater that you may be rejected as a result of your lacking "moral turpitude" or "good moral character" that is required for U.S. citizenship. You'll have time to consider when to submit a N-400 naturalization application for consideration.