Hello, all. I am an Illinois resident who was arrested in Massachusetts for a DUI. I was placed on probation. Ordered to pay fines and attend what I assume to be the standard courses.
All of that is going fine. I am up to date on all payments, have attended all courses, etc. It was a serious mistake. I realize that. Believe me, I've "learned my lesson." So please, no lectures. I broke the law and I've accepted my punishment.
My question is this. I was hoping to make a trip out of the country. I know I would have to check with my probation officer and all of that. The main issue is, I don't have a valid passport. My previous one had expired, so I would need to apply for a new one.
Would I be denied on the grounds that I am currently serving probation? It was a misdemeanor, and I'd be checking with my probation officer before I left, but would the fact that I am still "in the system" be grounds for denial?
I read somewhere that passports were only denied on outstanding felony warrants or things like that, but I wasn't sure if the fact that I had a relatively recent arrest (10 months ago) would be a problem. I was afraid it would raise a red flag that I'm attempting to "flee" or something.
I tried looking at official sites for the answer, but had a hard time finding the answer to my particular question.
Thanks a lot for your help.
All of that is going fine. I am up to date on all payments, have attended all courses, etc. It was a serious mistake. I realize that. Believe me, I've "learned my lesson." So please, no lectures. I broke the law and I've accepted my punishment.
My question is this. I was hoping to make a trip out of the country. I know I would have to check with my probation officer and all of that. The main issue is, I don't have a valid passport. My previous one had expired, so I would need to apply for a new one.
Would I be denied on the grounds that I am currently serving probation? It was a misdemeanor, and I'd be checking with my probation officer before I left, but would the fact that I am still "in the system" be grounds for denial?
I read somewhere that passports were only denied on outstanding felony warrants or things like that, but I wasn't sure if the fact that I had a relatively recent arrest (10 months ago) would be a problem. I was afraid it would raise a red flag that I'm attempting to "flee" or something.
I tried looking at official sites for the answer, but had a hard time finding the answer to my particular question.
Thanks a lot for your help.