Difference between being arrested and being charged?

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Difference between being arrested and being charged?
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What is the difference, if any? My son is trying to go to the US for a holiday, and has been told he cant use a waiver if he's ever been arrested, and should get a visa instead. To get a visa he needed a Police ACRO form, which came back saying "No Trace" which means he has a clean record. The stipulation tho, is that you need a visa if you've ever been arrested. He has been charged, but the charges dropped, hence the No Trace, but we thought that him being charged was him being arrested. What's the story, please?

Fred P

Being charged means you've been arrested and have been/are being arraigned in court (being advised of the charges) - which means the DA is pursuing the case.

mikea109

Arrest means nothing ! It is when you are charged and found guilt that are the start of your problems!

An arrest can and should be expunged from someones records if a case is thrown out due to lack of evidence, or not guilty is the verdict to a court case.

CHARITY G

I'm assuming you don't live in the US . . . I would suggest you contact our State Department . . . or the British embassy inside the US. Both are available online and will give you reliable advice at no charge.

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