Small Claims Court

[MyOwnWorld]

I was taken to "small claims court". My ex filed a case against me and court asked me to pay ~$1500 to him. Do I need to answer Yes to any of the following questions?

15. Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested? Yes No
16. Have you ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason? Yes No
17. Have you ever been charged with committing any crime or offense? Yes No
18. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or offense? Yes No
19. Have you ever been placed in an alternative sentencing or a rehabilitative program (for example: diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, deferred adjudication)? Yes No
20. Have you ever received a suspended sentence, been placed on probation or been paroled? Yes No
21. Have you ever been in jail or prison? Yes No

 

[Vorpal]

I was taken to "small claims court". My ex filed a case against me and court asked me to pay ~$1500 to him. Do I need to answer Yes to any of the following questions?

15. Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested? Yes No
16. Have you ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason? Yes No
17. Have you ever been charged with committing any crime or offense? Yes No
18. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or offense? Yes No
19. Have you ever been placed in an alternative sentencing or a rehabilitative program (for example: diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, deferred adjudication)? Yes No
20. Have you ever received a suspended sentence, been placed on probation or been paroled? Yes No
21. Have you ever been in jail or prison? Yes No

A small claims court is a civil court. You do not need to disclose it on your N-400.

 

[hopeful44]

You were not charged with any crime. So no to any questions asking if you commited to criminal offenec.

 

[vdostoi1]

I was taken to "small claims court". My ex filed a case against me and court asked me to pay ~$1500 to him. Do I need to answer Yes to any of the following questions?

15. Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested? Yes No
16. Have you ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason? Yes No
17. Have you ever been charged with committing any crime or offense? Yes No
18. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or offense? Yes No
19. Have you ever been placed in an alternative sentencing or a rehabilitative program (for example: diversion, deferred prosecution, withheld adjudication, deferred adjudication)? Yes No
20. Have you ever received a suspended sentence, been placed on probation or been paroled? Yes No
21. Have you ever been in jail or prison? Yes No

Same would be the case if you are sued for a noncriminal offense. You cannot prevent someone from suing you whereas a crime is almost always a willing act.