i am an australian citizen, and charged with petit larceny in NYC.?
I flew home before court date, a warrant has been issued. I would like to return to the USA.
How do i sort out the charge and warrant? will i be arrested if i fly into LA? are records kept? should i get an immigration lawyer to set a new court date and appear on my behalf in NY?
Don’t come back. If you are listed as wanted in NCIC (a national crime information center computer system) the minute you go through customs you will be arrested. While NYC may not be willing to extradite you on minor theft, you will sit in the lock-up until until it is sorted out. Then when they let you go, Customs Officers will put you back on the first plane back home.
You might be able to get a lawyer in NYC to go before the Court and get you a continuance. With a new Court date, you probably won’t be listed as wanted. Then you can get to NYC and try to straighten it out.
Immigration Professor, Unlawful Presence and Unlawful Presence Waivers, Part 1 of 3
