police caution - pre 1996

[inarightpickle]

I received what I belive to be a police cuation when i was about 14-15 (definitely under 16) and I wonder if anyone can help me discover what this was. I remember at the time that I was told it would be destroyed after 5 years or when I was 18. It was my first and only offence.

I am off the the states in 4 months and was wondering if this would need to be delared on my visa? The way I see it is that is was something I done 15+ years ago and I was told it would be deleted it I didn't do it again. Basically a bit of an official telling off but I do remember having finger prints and photo taken although thought this was just procedure.

I was far too young to understand what was going on at the time and have since forgotten about it.

Any help would be very much appreciated. I don't seem to be able to find much information on cautions (if that's what it was) from back then as I know understand that the caution can now only be given to someone who is above 18, maybe the officer was explaining that that is what I could end up with if I was to offend again. I hoenstly don't know.

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

[Schlomo78]

Hiya, my mate had this same problem for a very old drugs caution, but she was 18 at the time. She called up the Passport office I think and asked someone there, and also there appears to be something on the passport office's site that can tell you. The U.S are pretty strict about stuff like this, and my friend was told she had to go down to the Embassy in London to find out about it (mainly because it was serious-ie drugs) but simply didn't have the time before the holiday was booked and changed her holiday to somewhere else to save getting turned away at Passport Control. Everything's so high tech these days it's not worth taking the risk and losing holiday and money, so maybe a call to the Passport Office will help.
Try this:
http://www.theanswerb...l/Question391195.html
and there are several links on this thread that will hopefully help!

Hope this helps, and have a great holiday if you get to go!! :)

[MarkRae]

If you're a British citizen and don't intend to stay for more than 90 days, you almost certainly don't actually need a visa:
http://travel.state.g...out/without_1990.html

[XmandyX]

you were under 16..so im sure it is not on record now...and only a caution so u should be ok!

[sumo19]

With all due respect MarkRae, that is entirely incorrect.

The question which concerns you on the visa waiver form you get on the plane is as follows

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude...........................*it goes on*

If this applies to you, then you will have to tick the yes box and you will be sent home.

Wanting to stay in the USA for less than 90 days and being a british citizen are just 2 of the many criteria you have to meet before travelling to the USA.

Crucially for anyone, it depends what the offence was for. For example, if it was for drugs, then you are not permitted to travel. If it was for, say, drunkenss, then since this is not a crime considered to involve moral turpitude, then you are permitted to travel.

However, it is worth noting that the ondon embassy says that anyone who has even been arrested for ANY crime, at any time must apply for a visa. Although this goes further than the US's requirements.