Arrested for domestic violence charge which was dismissed. Need to apply for citizenship, HELP!!!

[dividedby0]

I was arrested earlier this year for a domestic violence charge. I got in an argument with my ex gf as I was breaking up with her, she then started going crazy and slapping me. I help her arms down to calm her down which led to bruises. The arrest record states that she has bruises from me holding her arms down. I was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor which has a maximum punishment of 1 year. She later called the DA and admitted to hitting me, the DA then dropped the charges and the case was dismissed and sealed. I did not plead to anything or have to do any community service etc.

I got a Certificate of Disposition which states that my case was dismissed. My arrest record states that the case is sealed but has the specifics of my arrest (what my ex told the cops). I need to apply for citizenship and was wondering if this will affect my case at all. Would this count as a crime of moral turpitude even though the case was dismissed and I never plead guilty or no contest? I am a grad student so I can't afford a lawyer unless that is my only resort. If I attach the arrest record and certificate of disposition will they be enough for my application to be approved? How could an immigration lawyer be of help? Would he/she help in any way besides telling me what documents to attach?

Thanks for any help you might provide. I have been putting this off for months now and I finally have all the documents in my possession.

 

[baikal3]

I was arrested earlier this year for a domestic violence charge. I got in an argument with my ex gf as I was breaking up with her, she then started going crazy and slapping me. I help her arms down to calm her down which led to bruises. The arrest record states that she has bruises from me holding her arms down. I was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor which has a maximum punishment of 1 year. She later called the DA and admitted to hitting me, the DA then dropped the charges and the case was dismissed and sealed. I did not plead to anything or have to do any community service etc.

I got a Certificate of Disposition which states that my case was dismissed. My arrest record states that the case is sealed but has the specifics of my arrest (what my ex told the cops). I need to apply for citizenship and was wondering if this will affect my case at all. Would this count as a crime of moral turpitude even though the case was dismissed and I never plead guilty or no contest? I am a grad student so I can't afford a lawyer unless that is my only resort. If I attach the arrest record and certificate of disposition will they be enough for my application to be approved? How could an immigration lawyer be of help? Would he/she help in any way besides telling me what documents to attach?

Thanks for any help you might provide. I have been putting this off for months now and I finally have all the documents in my possession.

Since the case was dismissed and you never plead guilty/no contest or were found guilty, the charge should not preclude the approval of your N-400 and it does not constitute a conviction for a CMT (and in fact does not constitute a conviction at all). However, you must still disclose the arrest and the charge on the N-400 application and provide evidence of the case's disposition. Note that even if the case is sealed and even if the record is officially expunged, it must still be disclosed on an N-400 application.
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