Few months back in Toronto Canada, I was caught for shoplifting. Shop called cop, he gave me appearance notice (Appearance notice give by peace officer to a person NOT YET CHARGED FOR AN OFFENCE) and allow me to go.

On the day of my first appearance I was told to pay few $ to charity and told your charge is withdrawn/ dismissed.

Now I have to fill one form for Visa, in that form it is asked “Have you ever committed, been arrested, or charged with any criminal offence in any country?”

Could some one please let me know what would be my answer? Is the definition of charged varying from country to country?

Usually I encountered the question like “arrested or convicted”.

Regards,
ramc

This is a tough question that I probably shouldn't answer because I don't know the answer lol; but I'll throw in my 2 cents (You should probably wait for a better answer just wanted to throw in my opinion). I don't think if it says if you have been arrested, convicted, or charged with a crime that you have to put down anything because they dismissed it, BUT the question you just put down says Have you ever committed a crime which you did. Here's the thinker, you could either be honest (which is of course the right and moral way to go) or you could be a little sneaker and not say that you have. I don't think there is any way that they can find out since your charges were dropped. If you do happen to say you committed a crime it might leave a bad impression if you are getting an interview or something like that. So, because you did commit a crime but didn't get a charge I think you shouldn't really have to put it down; AGAIN, this is my opinion and not an actually law answer so you should probably wait for a better answer.

Hello ramc:

I don't know what country wants to know if you've been arrested. Lots of people have been arrested. That means nothing. Same thing with charged.

Since it MEANS nothing, and more importantly, since there is NO RECORD that could dispute your claim, I would say NO.

excon