Figured id post this question here seeing its visited by a variation of people

Im 21, and i have a criminal record for destruction of property (kicked in a car door drunk and i forget the actual name of the conviction atm) and was on a good behaviour bond, no time spent in jail or anything of that sort, i was only convicted because id been in trouble when i was a bit younger and been let off a few times.

Anyway, ive been looking at going on a working holiday perhaps, and seeing i live in Australia there are basically 14 nations of which we have an agreement with in regards to working visas, now alot of the visa forms ask if you have ever been arrested or charged for anything and i want to know how this might effect my chances of being granted a working visa.

Also, if i just lie and circle no i have never been arrested or charged, i assume they do checks up ?, or do they take my word for it (*snicker* even i know thats doubtful)

Its not like ive murdered anyone or bashed anyone etc, just a drunken incident and i was convicted (not allowed to hold a gun license for 10 years, shit like this) and it was my second good behaviour bond.

The thing is, i only realise now as ive matured that ive fucked myself over in a way i never forseen happening, just got in trouble due to my stupidity a few too many times.

Can always create a new identity i suppose and go on a working holiday that way...

being arrested is nothing, i was arrested when they through my ass in detox, but its the Conviction, and did you serve time, if you didn't serve time then put no imo its what i do

yeah i was convicted, but i didnt spend any time in jail, and got a stern warning, also because i was convicted of a minor offense, my solictor explained to me it will turn into a spent conviction after some years unless i get into trouble again

so then for sure put no

Well, you've pretty much screwed your chances of ever getting a security clearance if you want to work for the govt. or a sub-contractor.

Other than that, I would just be honest. Most forms I've seen let you give an explaination if you have to answer yes.

If it wasn't a felony class conviction(which doesn't sound like it was) I wouldn't worry about it and hell id simply "forget" to mention it.


Ibudin

Your record will be checked if you're going to 9 out of 10 records, there is a big chance that you will need to go to the police station to get a copy of your record to send with the application when you try to get a visa.

Now, most likely no one will give a shit about it.. but it will most likely be checked.

//Izola

Also depends if it was a juvi offense or not.

Don't lie on the apps.. DO know the case number however for reference. Just tell the truth. Most employers look to see if it's a drug conviction or theft. Just be honest. That's your best bet.

"Also, if i just lie and circle no i have never been arrested or charged, i assume they do checks up ?"


Read the bottom of the form, it will say soemthing about lieing on the form being in and of itself a criminal offence. They may or may not charge over it, I've seen it go both ways but it will put a permanent flag on any Immigration or travel matters in the future.

Best bet is to apply for a pardon.

just dont mention anything , most countries do not exchange their criminal records databases with other countries.
i.e if you like to work in germany they wont check back your criminal records or anything since they use a totally different system and they simply lack the ability to speak and read english, but i doubt you get a working visa for germany anyways.
even inside germany the dataexchange for criminal records doesnt work properly from state to state, since every federal police organisation using different databases which are mostly incompatible with the software of other states (i was programmer for a company for a while which installed the software for the federal police of my state) so i wouldnt worry to much that your records will be transmitted to any foreign country.

Listen to hatemut, he's my rolemodel.

I thought you couldn't get a passport If you had a criminal record? I could be worng but If you can't get a passport a working visa won't do you much good.

At least you aren't posting pictures of shrooms anymore... =P

Here, anyway, they mostly ask if you've been convicted of a felony; not just of a crime -- and certainly not just arested -- as plenty of people are arested and never charged with (or convicted of) crimes.

I'm a special case, in that, when I was young, I got arested for, and plead guilty to a class-6 felony. Class-6, for some of you who dont' know, is the lowest category of felony. It exists (at least in my state) so that they state can make you a felon, and then later change the charge to a misdemenor at the end of your sentence/probation.

I may truthfully say that I was never convicted of a felony. I was convicted of a crime, and that crime is (now) a misdemenor.

Thanks for the comments guys/gals, i appreciate it.

ATM i think it would be best just to apply and be honest, id hate to turn up some place only to be put back on the next plane home.

Good choice Felicia .. you're the kind of person I'd be happy to have in my country... hell, I'd give you a job too if I had my own business :p

As can be seen in a lot of examples, an attempted coverup is way worse than whatever crime you may have commited.

Good choice.

I went to the DMV when I was 20 and tried to get a fake ID and got caught. It was 3 felony counts.

I went through pre-trial intervention, and after 1.5 years of parole I got a letter saying the charges were dismissed, congrats.

Do I have to answer yes to "Have you ever been convicted of or had adjudication withheld of a felony?"

ie, what is adjudication withheld exactly?

Yes. You didn't have a felony, but you had adjudication withheld. (held without judgment, since they let you off)

I suspect you can talk to a lawyer and they can get your record cleared of that one though. Good luck.