USA visa query for an Aussie with a chequered past..

Hi guys,

I have posted this on the USA forum and will also post elsewhere to get as much feedback as possible..

We are a group of Australian friends who would like to visit USA.
Two of the guys in our group have a criminal history dating back to thier teens and 20's,
they are now in thier mid 40's.
Before we get too carried away with our planning, I'd like to know what you guys think of thier chances of being welcomed into the USofA / able to get a visa.

Here's a rap sheet of the worst offender..

approx 1983.. he got caught with about 30grams of Marijuana. He was charged and convicted of supply, administer, and owning a smoking implement.... outcome = No Jail, a fine and 12 month good behaviour bond.

approx 1989.. charged and convicted of Drive Manner Dangerous To Public, Not Stop On Police Directive, Drive Under The Influence Of Alcohol... outcome = No Jail, a fine and a 12 month good behaviour bond.
He was overseas when these charges were first mentioned in court, he was represented by a lawyer at the time but the judge was not happy with him not showing his face so there was a first intant warrant issued for his arrest, on his return to Australia.. He was not arrested at the airport on his return, he produced himself to the courts the following day.

approx 1999.. Drive Under Influence of Alcohol (low range).. It was a very low range charge which attracted an automatic 3 month drivers license suspension, NO court appearance required.

He has had numerous speeding fines during the 80's and as a young driver on a provisional license, it was suspended 3 times for 3 month periods, no Court required.

Ather than all that, he just got fined for doing a U Turn at traffic lights.. slapped with a fine only..

Are we wasting our time applying for a visa, for him ??

Any one care to share thier experience / knowledge with me, i really appreciate your time.

Thanks.

glad to hear he finally changed careers as he was clearly a rubbish criminal.

Bizarrely the biggest issue is probably the drugs, despite the years of being death-on-wheels. Suggest contacting the American embassy in your state to make enquiries. He certainly won't get a visa waiver but this may all be long enough ago that he could apply for a visa. Asking the embassy should avoid spending unnecessary money on doomed applications.

thanks..

better travel separatly.

that's the last place, I'd travel IN TO, with a checkered past partner.

Meet him somewhere after his 4 hour interview.

hahaha really? a drug charge from 20 years ago could jeopardize his chance of going to the states?

Big Brother lurks.{:{