Yes or No for "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime..". on DS160 form?

Question

Yes or No for "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime..". on DS160 form?

Anonymous Jul 2, 2015 8 views 4 answers

I was given a citation for minor in possession of alcohol a few months ago. I hired an attorney to represent me and the case was dismissed without any other consequences. I was definitely not convicted, and I wasn't taken into custody or had fingerprints taken or anything like that. All I had was a citation. Should I say no in good faith on the "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime..." question on DS-160 form? Thank you very much and your help is greatly appreciated!

Giacomo Jacques BeharImmigration AttorneySan Diego, CACA licensed · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:15:53+00:00

"Convicted" - certainly not. But, "arrested"? Well, if you profess not to have seen the inside of a police station during that...er "incident", then you were not arrested and can safely answer "no" to that question and move on.

Donglai Yang · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:15:53+00:00

You should say yes to that question. Most important thing is that you are not convicted. Always bring a copy of the record in your position.

Erin Fisher · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:15:53+00:00

It sounds as though you were not arrested or convicted. A citation is similar to a traffic ticket. If no handcuffs were put on you and you weren't booked, I think you should be able to answer no.

Michael Stephen PittmanDUI / DWI AttorneySurprise, AZ · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:15:53+00:00

Michael Stephen PittmanDUI / DWI AttorneySurprise, AZ

Michael Stephen PittmanDUI / DWI AttorneySurprise, AZ · Jun 15, 2026

If you were not arrested you can mark NO and move on to the next question.

0 upvotes

Yes or No for "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime..". on DS160 form?

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