Misdemeanor - H1 B Visa

[njituser]

Hello,

I stay in New jersey. This incident happened in April 2007. I was a student(F1 visa) at that time and I was I caught for shoplifting in New York City. I was taken to local police station and fingerprinted. I was taken to Municipal Court where I plead guilty and the judge charged me with Class A misdemeanor. I was charged some fine and told to do 3 days of community service. The judge also told that if I remain clean for the next 6 months, my records would be sealed. I have remained clean since that incident happened.

Later, I graduated in Dec 2007 and I'm currently working on OPT(F1 visa) now. Next year(2009), my company would be applying for H1-B visa.

While applying for H1-B visa, I believe I should answer "yes" to the question "Have you have been arrested or convicted?"

I'm in great distress about this matter. I would like to know what is the procedure that I should follow with this issue. Will this be a problem of any sort for me to get H1-B visa next year?

Can someone please please help me out in any possible way. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
njituser

 

[Dougthegreat]

While applying for H1-B visa, I believe I should answer "yes" to the question "Have you have been arrested or convicted?"

Yep

Will this be a problem of any sort for me to get H1-B visa next year?

I sure hope so. You see, we don't need more criminals in this country.