Question about Travelling With a Section 10

MadMardegan

Hey folks, sorry about the long winded post, and please try and not judge me too much. I've never in my life been in any trouble with police, anywhere, and this was probably the 3rd time I had tried drugs. I'm a 26 year old male.

Anyway,

In March of this year I was found in possession of 4 capsules of MDMA while in NSW, Australia (I am an Irish citizen on my second year working visa) They were for personal use. I was given a court summons and attended court in May of this year. The judge gave me a section 10 with a 2 year good behaviour bond.

I can't seem to find any concrete answers through Google but how will this affect me getting a working holiday visa for New Zealand or Canada? Or getting a tourist visa for the US, to which I've been to 3 times previously with no issues at all.

Obviously honesty is best policy but am I obliged to offer this information? Is that dependant on the duration of my bond in NSW?

A lot of people seem to think that this is not the worst thing that could happen and I should be fine but I really feel like I've messed things up hugely. I'm even worried that this will affect me going back to college in Ireland when I return.

Can anyone give me concrete answers or is it just going to have to be one of those things that I worry about on a case by case basis?

Thank you a lot!

Pro Hoc Vice

http://www.armstronglegal.com.au/criminal-law/penalties/section-10

"there would be no penalty, no loss of licence, and no criminal record. In all Criminal and Traffic Law cases a Court has the discretion not to convict you but deal with you under the terms of section 10."


Not advice but if you are worried after reading that contact a solicitor in Australia. But to be honest that is very clear.

BTW your friends are muppets as a fine is a conviction, you are best advised to ask the solicitor or barrister who you used to confirm.

MadMardegan

Thanks for the reply man!

I said "my friends think I should be fine" as in I shouldn't have any problems obtaining a visa for the countries listed.

Pro Hoc Vice

MadMardegan wrote: »

Thanks for the reply man!

I said "my friends think I should be fine" as in I shouldn't have any problems obtaining a visa for the countries listed.

Lol sorry I misunderstood. While a s.10 without bond would be better my reading is as long as you don't come before a court within 2 years you should be ok but be advised in applying for any visa get legal advice from the country you are going too and Australia.

nuac

Mod
As PHV advised get legal advice from a lawyer practising in the relevant court