L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
#1
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
Hi all,
I was wondering if someone can help with a question around criminal record and L1 Visa application.
I have never been in trouble with the police but five years ago I was asked to attend a voluntary police interview to answer a very minor allegation against me.
I was NOT formally arrested and I was only interviewed voluntarily at the police station. A month later the police said they did not take any formal action. I was not cautioned, as this would have been a potential outcome if they felt I was guilty.
On the L1 visa application (ds160) I said I have never been arrested or convicted, which in my head is true. Especially as being arrested or cautioned is formal process.
I have applied for a police certificate to check if I have a record. Feel it should be clear but a bit anxious about it.
Does anyone think this would show up on police record or should be declared to embassy? Seems like a bit of a grey area.
I was wondering if someone can help with a question around criminal record and L1 Visa application.
I have never been in trouble with the police but five years ago I was asked to attend a voluntary police interview to answer a very minor allegation against me.
I was NOT formally arrested and I was only interviewed voluntarily at the police station. A month later the police said they did not take any formal action. I was not cautioned, as this would have been a potential outcome if they felt I was guilty.
On the L1 visa application (ds160) I said I have never been arrested or convicted, which in my head is true. Especially as being arrested or cautioned is formal process.
I have applied for a police certificate to check if I have a record. Feel it should be clear but a bit anxious about it.
Does anyone think this would show up on police record or should be declared to embassy? Seems like a bit of a grey area.
#2
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
Any particular facts which make you think you were arrested or convicted? Just curious.
Out of idle curiosity were you given the UK version of what Americans call a “Miranda warning.” (“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”)
Out of idle curiosity were you given the UK version of what Americans call a “Miranda warning.” (“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”)
#3
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Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
I was given the standard caution ahead of the voluntary interview, outlining what I could say could be used against me at a later date, but not given a formal caution as a warning. They took no action.
I do not feel I have been convicted of anything and did not admit to the offence through a formal caution or punishment.
The accusation was false and I had to give my side of the story. My understanding is that formal cautions, arrests or charges are on police record. However it is not clear cut whether an interview with police, without any sort of conviction, would be recorded.
I do not feel I have been convicted of anything and did not admit to the offence through a formal caution or punishment.
The accusation was false and I had to give my side of the story. My understanding is that formal cautions, arrests or charges are on police record. However it is not clear cut whether an interview with police, without any sort of conviction, would be recorded.
#4
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
I was given the standard caution ahead of the voluntary interview, outlining what I could say could be used against me at a later date, but not given a formal caution as a warning. They took no action.
I do not feel I have been convicted of anything and did not admit to the offence through a formal caution or punishment.
The accusation was false and I had to give my side of the story. My understanding is that formal cautions, arrests or charges are on police record. However it is not clear cut whether an interview with police, without any sort of conviction, would be recorded.
I do not feel I have been convicted of anything and did not admit to the offence through a formal caution or punishment.
The accusation was false and I had to give my side of the story. My understanding is that formal cautions, arrests or charges are on police record. However it is not clear cut whether an interview with police, without any sort of conviction, would be recorded.
#5
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
Thanks for follow up!
I checked with Acro and they were very helpful. This answer may be useful for others. They said only convictions appear on certificate (formal caution will show). Whereas a subject release will show any allegations and interviews. The US want to know if you were actually convicted or you admitted a crime via caution.
My certificate is in the post today, 12 hour processing, which is probably a good sign. We'll see what they say.
I checked with Acro and they were very helpful. This answer may be useful for others. They said only convictions appear on certificate (formal caution will show). Whereas a subject release will show any allegations and interviews. The US want to know if you were actually convicted or you admitted a crime via caution.
My certificate is in the post today, 12 hour processing, which is probably a good sign. We'll see what they say.
Last edited by rugbyadam; Aug 19th 2021 at 7:39 pm.
#6
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
Thanks for follow up!
I checked with Acro and they were very helpful. This answer may be useful for others. They said only convictions appear on certificate (formal caution counts). Whereas a subject release will show any allegations and interviews. The US only want to know if you were actually convicted or you admitted a crime via caution.
My certificate is in the post today, 12 hour processing, which is probably a good sign. We'll see what they say.
I checked with Acro and they were very helpful. This answer may be useful for others. They said only convictions appear on certificate (formal caution counts). Whereas a subject release will show any allegations and interviews. The US only want to know if you were actually convicted or you admitted a crime via caution.
My certificate is in the post today, 12 hour processing, which is probably a good sign. We'll see what they say.
The one I am familiar with is:
”Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject to a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action?”
Which encompasses a little more than you are indicating.
Last edited by tht; Aug 19th 2021 at 6:55 pm.
#7
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Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
It is a good point.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
#8
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
It is a good point.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
#9
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
It is a good point.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
Still not sure if someone who is arrested but no further action taken would show up as a trace. My guess is they might.
In my case I had a voluntary interview and was never arrested / charged / convicted. The whole thing was dropped. However I am sure there is probably a record on my subject release because police record every interaction with them at a local level.
Crossing fingers that police certificate says no trace.
#10
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
Had a similar situation myself when applying for green card via marriage to an American citizen, this was you 21 years ago. A neighbor made a very serious accusation against me.
Police were called, 2 arrived. Cautioned me and took statements.
Turns out the woman had history and was suffering from depression. She had been moved from a previous military housing because of accusations she had made, all false.
I think the woman was delusional. But anyway, I did check with the American embassy at the time. They said not to mention it as I was not arrested or convicted.
Police were called, 2 arrived. Cautioned me and took statements.
Turns out the woman had history and was suffering from depression. She had been moved from a previous military housing because of accusations she had made, all false.
I think the woman was delusional. But anyway, I did check with the American embassy at the time. They said not to mention it as I was not arrested or convicted.
#11
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 162
Re: L1 visa application and police volunteered interview
A caution itself is neither an arrest nor conviction, but it is an admission of a crime. Only certain questions on the DS160 go to whether you have committed a crime, the main one is whether you have ever been arrested or convicted. Attendance of a voluntary interview is, also, not an arrest. If for whatever the voluntary interview appears on your Police Certificate, I can't imagine why unless there is something more to it, you can write to the relevant Chief Constable and ask for it to be removed from your record.