I received deferred disposition for an assault / family violence citation. Since the case was later dismissed, do I still have a conviction for immigration purposes?

Answer

You may still have a conviction for immigration purposes. A conviction for immigration purposes can exist even if the court withholds adjudication and later dismisses the case, so long as the person entered a guilty plea, no contest plea, or admitted sufficient facts, and the judge imposed some form of punishment, penalty, or restraint. This can include a fine, court costs, probationary conditions, counseling, community service, or a period of deferred disposition.

This is different from how the case may be viewed under state law. A person may truthfully have a state-court dismissal after completing deferred disposition, but the same case still may need to be disclosed and analyzed as a conviction for immigration purposes. (28.Jul.2026)

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