visa to america

[kaby]

hello all
i need advice, over a year go i was arrested and received a reprimand for shoplifting. i did not spend a criminal conviction
in october i have been invited to america with my friend and her grandparent
i have contacted the american embassay and was told i d need to apply for a visa
i have heard that you can just tick a box on a form on the plane there to say you have no convictions
how likely is it that i'd get away with it? i could be immediatly deported if i am.
i would apply for a visa but the first appointment i can get for interviem is early september and the tickets will be booked which will be a problem as sometimes the decision for a visa takes 8 weeks

what do i do? would i be better to just not disclose the reprimand on the form?
any help would be greatly appreciated
thankyou

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