US with probation act and no arrest ?

ticktoe

I'll be travelling to the US with work next week ( unexpected business trip that I haven't been on before). Filling out the online visa waiver form and unsure how to answer the question RE.conviction/arrest. Can anyone help?
I wasn't arrested ( I went to the garda station voluntarily and gave a statement) and wasn't convicted but given probation for one year and paid 1k to local charity. It does however show up on my record as far as I know.
So how do I answer? Terrified this will effect my employment clearly.
This incident ( fight) occurred 12 years ago and haunts me

Peregrinus

What exactly is the question on the form?

ticktoe

Have you been arrested or convicted of causing harm or damage to someone/something?

Little CuChulainn

Were you arrested for the purpose of charge are where you summonsed to court?

ticktoe

I went to the station and gave a statement when I heard the altercation had lead to injury, I was then charged with assault and summoned to the local district court then got the act of probation for a year and ordered to pay charity sum of €1k
I put myself forward for voluntary work a good few years back and it came up on the garda check then

Little CuChulainn

ticktoe wrote: »

I went to the station and gave a statement when I heard the altercation had lead to injury, I was then charged with assault and summoned to the local district court then got the act of probation for a year and ordered to pay charity sum of €1k
I put myself forward for voluntary work a good few years back and it came up on the garda check then

You were wither charged or summonsed. Charged is when you are arrested and brought into the station and you receive your charge and sign a bail bond. Summons is when you receive something in the post telling you to be at a certain court on a certain day.

ticktoe

Sorry! I know I sound silly its just years ago and so very vague.
Basically the incident happened in oct, I gave the statement but didn't get word until New Year's Eve that the guy was pressing charges...I got the notification by phone by a garda...I'm assuming the official date and time, location of court etc was sent by mail?!!! I can't actually remember the finer detail...just remember thinking it was over until that NYE phone call

Little CuChulainn

ticktoe wrote: »

Sorry! I know I sound silly its just years ago and so very vague.
Basically the incident happened in oct, I gave the statement but didn't get word until New Year's Eve that the guy was pressing charges...I got the notification by phone by a garda...I'm assuming the official date and time, location of court etc was sent by mail?!!! I can't actually remember the finer detail...just remember thinking it was over until that NYE phone call

It doesn't sound like you were arrested so.

Peregrinus

No, but was he convicted?

I'm open to correction here, but I think the Probation Act can be applied (a) with a conviction recorded, or (b) with no conviction recorded. (B) is usual, but if you are any doubt you may need to check.

January

If it shows up on a Garda check then I think a conviction against you was recorded but do check with the Garda, or a solicitor.

Little CuChulainn

It shows up on the Garda system either way.