Is paying restitution and getting a dismissal still considered a conviction for immigration purposes?

This person was given pre-trial probation, never entered a plea in court and the case was later dismissed after he paid $30 to the store where he pumped gas and left without paying. This happened in Massachusetts by the way. He's 31 years-old and has been a legal permanent resident since age 4. He's worried that he will not be able to apply for citizenship. Someone told him he can apply for citizenship, but he needs to wait and show 5 years of good moral character counting from the last day he was in court. Also will he be able to travel and re-enter the US even though he wasn't convicted and didn't get a jail sentence? He's my best friend and he's a good quiet guy who made a dumb mistake.

These days there are a lot of horror stories told about people in similar circumstances. The person needs to find a lawyer, one with a good reputation in immigration matters. It will depend on the way records are kept in Massachusetts and on the exact wording of the complicated Immigration and Naturalization Act.

A lot of people who made not-so-dumb mistakes are being screwed by inhumane officials these days who seem to think their only job is to get as many non-citizens out of the country as possible, as fast as possible.

NO.
He was never convicted of anything.
With an attorney's help he probably can have his record "expunged"....wiped clean. They actually destory the records of the arrest etc. Wanting to become a citizen is good reason to allow expungment.

Hope that helps

Seems like the fact of the matter is you friend is a thief. He still has a record. I am not sure about immagration laws. He needs to get a lawyer. Why did he wait 27 years to become a citizen?