Schedule A and juvenile conviction.

[gocan351]

Hi all, new to the forum here. I have just received my request for form 5669/Schedule A.
In 1988, I was 13 years old and pleaded guilty to forced entry and petty theft charges. I served 1 year probation and paid $150 or so in restitution. Originally I was sentenced to 2 years probation but was released due to no further infractions. I have had no further arrests or infractions since then, and my juvenile record was sealed. Section 4, question B asks if you have ever been convicted of crime, etc. Does this need to be declared? Is it considered a conviction as a juvenile? I don't want misrepresentation to be an issue. While researching, it seems that this won't be a cause for inadmissability and I should probably declare it.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[Mrschino]

It’s a touchy subject! My friend admitted to a criminal record once when we were headed to the states and we all got hauled in for fingerprinting only to find out that his crime had been pardoned and nothing showed on his record.

I don’t know if it’s best to say yes and explain the situation, or say no because “technically” the charge no longer exists!

 

[Sous02]

I have a hard time picturing an excited visa officer over a 24 yr old juvenile crime. I think a good explanation and everyone sleeps properly. It is not a reason for refusal so why not be open about it?

 

[gocan351]

I have a hard time picturing an excited visa officer over a 24 yr old juvenile crime. I think a good explanation and everyone sleeps properly. It is not a reason for refusal so why not be open about it?

That is what I have been thinking. I really just need a bit of re-assurance. It seems immigration lawyers want to be involved from start to finish, and not help with singular questions. I would like to find someone that can answer a few piecemeal questions for me. If anyone knows of a firm or lawyer that will do "in process" consulting, a referral would be great.
Thanks again for commenting.

 

[gocan351]

It’s a touchy subject! My friend admitted to a criminal record once when we were headed to the states and we all got hauled in for fingerprinting only to find out that his crime had been pardoned and nothing showed on his record.

I don’t know if it’s best to say yes and explain the situation, or say no because “technically” the charge no longer exists!

Thanks for commenting. I am quite keen on not getting into a misrepresentation situation, so it seems like a good idea to declare it. In your situation it all worked out, and you told the truth. Just some extra stress to get through. My feeling is that it may increase processing time by a month or two while they ask for more info or backup documents, versus a five year ban from Canada for mis-representing.

 

[Sous02]

I doubt it will even slow you down a day. Especially given you are American which presents pretty much straight forward to CIC. I would stay away from consultants or lawyers unless you have much more serious complications in your application. All the answers you need are here on this forum.

 

[adt83]

I think in these situations, honesty is most definitely the best policy. There's too much at risk not to be. As you know, there is no grounds for refusal based on your juvenile criminal history alone- however misrepresentation is.

 

[gocan351]

Thanks for commenting, honesty is the route I've always taken.