Hi,
I have been arrested and charged for shoplifting in NEW JERSEY. I got 60 hours community service, 350 $ fine and 15 days jail suspended and I needed to go on a shoplifting seminar. I was on a visa in USA. I paid the fine, did 60 hours of community service but I could not go to the seminar because it was in November and my visa expired in October.So I went home in October.
I would like to know is that jail sentence (because it is probably now active) only in USA or it can also be in my country (I' m from Europe) and in other countries in Europe?I would like to know because my job includes a lot of traveling.thanks in advance.

It won't cause any problems in Europe, but if you reenter the USA it might cause problems then. I'd just write to the court stating that your visa expired before the seminar, have returned home, and ask what should be done now.

Hello nat:

I'm sure a warrant was issued when you didn't complete the requirements. I don't know why it wouldn't show up in Europe when you travel.

Community service is done in two, maybe four hour increments one or two times a week. If you completed 60 hours, it took you many weeks. It seems to me you could have attended the seminar.

But, I'm not here to judge you. It just seems like you caused yourself some MAJOR problems over a petty crime.

excon