How to answer moral questions 15 to 18

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seekimmi

New Member
Please help on how to answer moral questions 15 to 18

I was cited with ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ misdemeanor ticket. As part of plea, judge made case as “Impede Traffic” and ask me to pay $ 500 restitution to other vehicle owner and pay $ 250 fines/costs with NO points to driver records. I paid all fines and case is closed. Court certified disposition certificate indicates “Offence convicted of: Impede Traffic “. And there is no record in driving history.

My question;how to answer to following moral questions

15. Have you EVER committed a crime or offense for which you were NOT
arrested?
16. Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law
enforcement officer (including INS and military officers) for any
reason?
17. Have you EVER been charged with committing any crime or offense?
18. Have you EVER been convicted of a crime or offense?

And secondly should I mention ‘Impede Traffic’ or ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ which sounds severe offense than impede traffic in the moral question table?

Please advise, Thank you in advance.
 
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Personal opinion

seekimmi said:
I was cited with ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ misdemeanor ticket. As part of plea, judge made case as “Impede Traffic” and ask me to pay $ 500 restitution to other vehicle owner and pay $ 250 fines/costs with NO points to driver records. I paid all fines and case is closed. Court certified disposition certificate indicates “Offence convicted of: Impede Traffic “. And there is no record in driving history.

My question;how to answer to following moral questions

15. Have you EVER committed a crime or offense for which you were NOT
arrested?
16. Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law
enforcement officer (including INS and military officers) for any
reason?
17. Have you EVER been charged with committing any crime or offense?
18. Have you EVER been convicted of a crime or offense?

And secondly should I mention ‘Impede Traffic’ or ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ which sounds severe offense than impede traffic in the moral question table?

Please advise, Thank you in advance.
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If there is no record, I would answer "NO" to all the questions but on the other hand would still keep copies of your ticket and paperwork from the judge stating that the case was closed. If that comes up, you will have the paperwork to share with the IO and that would look more appropriate that you answered those questions but still not trying to hide anything. You show him only if he asks you too. You can always tell the IO that you didn't understand the question properly so you have brought all the paperwork with you just to be on the safe side. You are not lying but at the same time you don't want any delays with your N-400 application.
 
The record is there, even if you can't find it now. The DMV probably doesn't have it, but the court system almost certainly does.

If you say NO now and this surfaces later, it can be grounds for revocation of citizenship.

Say YES to all four questions and write what you were convicted of (Impeding Traffic). Make another attempt to get the court records. If they really don't have the records, get them to give you an official statement saying there is no record.

And get a lawyer for the interview.
 
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Jackolantern said:
The record is there, even if you can't find it now. The DMV probably doesn't have it, but the court system almost certainly does.

If you say NO now and this surfaces later, it can be grounds for revocation of citizenship.

Say YES to all four questions and write what you were convicted of (Impeding Traffic). Make another attempt to get the court records. If they really don't have the records, get them to give you an official statement saying there is no record.

And get a lawyer for the interview.
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Talk to a good immigration attorney if you are confused and get his/her opinion. Let me know where you are located. I will try to find you a good one. E-mail me at atlantabrother@hotmail.com
 
You should honestly put "Yes" in all of the questions. Lying and getting caught will be grounds for denial of citizenship on moral turpitude grounds.

That said it is not a felony offense. You have to write what you crime you have convicted of not what you were charged. I note you had "NO" in capitals for points. Points has nothing to do with court records. DMV not "showing" the record does not mean that USCIS can't see when they do the IBIS check. If they catch that (which is very likely) and you don't put it, be prepared for extended delays and subsequent denial.

Hire a good lawyer for peace of mind. I personally would have waited for 5 years from a clear record and then applied. Though this is not a serious case, I have seen cases where women who are not even living with their US spouses who have applied on the 3 year rule and now their basis for green card is being questioned.


seekimmi said:
I was cited with ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ misdemeanor ticket. As part of plea, judge made case as “Impede Traffic” and ask me to pay $ 500 restitution to other vehicle owner and pay $ 250 fines/costs with NO points to driver records. I paid all fines and case is closed. Court certified disposition certificate indicates “Offence convicted of: Impede Traffic “. And there is no record in driving history.

My question;how to answer to following moral questions

15. Have you EVER committed a crime or offense for which you were NOT
arrested?
16. Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law
enforcement officer (including INS and military officers) for any
reason?
17. Have you EVER been charged with committing any crime or offense?
18. Have you EVER been convicted of a crime or offense?

And secondly should I mention ‘Impede Traffic’ or ‘Hit and Run - Property damage’ which sounds severe offense than impede traffic in the moral question table?

Please advise, Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
 
seekimmi said:
Thank you for all your advises, I think i should apply through a attorney to avoid problems if any
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Don't necessarily apply "through" an attorney, as they will charge you big bucks for clerical stuff that you can do yourself. Just pay them for a few hours of advice, to go over the form with you and help you with the wording of the extra paper you will have to attach explaining the incident, then file the finished paperwork yourself. Then when the time comes for your interview, have the attorney accompany you.

You can also increase your chances of success by waiting until 5 years after that incident before you apply, as the most critical "moral character" period is the most recent 5 years.
 
The touch was very small; touching like beside parked vehicle when stepping out. Mine happened while parking my vehicle and i thought it is a very small touch, no need to do inform any one and parked two slots away. But being very honest and not having knowledge of immigration issues , i didn't took it very seriously and end up committing offense. Though incident is minor, will it be better to wait 5 years to avoid delays? please advise
 
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