Guys, I was arrested on shoplifting charges at walmart 5 years ago in 2014.
I wanted to return certain stuff that I bought from walmart and the store person did not accept the returns as he thought they were damaged.
Coincidentally even I wanted to return the item because it was damaged (a leather iphone cover worth $38).
It had been just 2 days since I purchased the item. The store person handed over the item to me and asked me to make way for others in the queue.
This upset me.
I decided to keep the damaged item in the same place where I picked it 2 days ago and picked up a new cover.
I was caught and they called the cops. Cutting the long story short, I was arrested and handed over a court letter and left the same day.
I went to the court and the prosecutor after hearing everything warned me and downgraded the shoplifting charges and convicted me of a lesser charge which is municipal township ordinance.
No jail time.
I had to pay around $700 as fine.
So, the initial charge was for shoplifting but the final court conviction was for a downgraded or a much lesser offense (municipal township ordinance which is non criminal and a civil offense).
After this incident I had 2 successful H1B applications (one for transfer recently and the other for extension). I never had my visa stamped after this incident.
I am visiting India for stamping in 2 months. I have all the relevant documents.
I have answered the DS 160 question correctly (an arrest based question to “yes”). Will this case have any bearing on the stamping.
I am not sure worried about other H1B related questions as I work for a product based company and the wage level, college degree are all correct. Would be great if some one can guide here. Thanks!