Hi my query is an awkward one. I was previously in America a couple of years ago and I was arrested for theft for less than $100. I spent the night in jail where they took my details and finger prints and set a court date for a date that was after my flight home to Ireland. I checked the criminal records for the state of Maryland under my name and my case is there with the status set to warrant and failure to appear.

My question is this I want to return to America on a j1 work exchange programme. How is the best way to go about this? Is there any way to sort out the warrant in Ireland.

The other option I have relies on wether or not my case is on the national data base and wether or not it will show up when I try to get past customs if I don't sort it and leave it as is. Also I plan to go to the state of California on the other side of the country if that matters

Advice would be greatly appreciated!