Individuals who are immigrating to the United States, including those who are already in the country, are expected to be ethical. Anyone who’s facing a crime involving moral turpitude and those who have a conviction run the risk of not being able maintain a valid immigration status.
Understanding the definition of moral turpitude and how it impacts immigration goals may be beneficial for potential immigrants and those who have already immigrated alike.
What is moral turpitude?
Moral turpitude is a legal concept that violates what’s considered socially acceptable. These crimes are typically serious matters that go against morality. Some examples of these include aggravated assault murder, fraud, theft and similar charges.
Being charged with one of these crimes might not have an immediate impact on immigration status. A conviction is what will trigger an immigration issue. Because of this, it’s critical that anyone facing one of these charges builds a solid defense that can either result in a them being not convicted or possibly being convicted of a lesser charge. This might not be an easy task, but a legal representative may be beneficial for anyone battling these charges.
It’s sometimes possible to seek waivers and relief from removal for crimes involving moral turpitude. These matters must be handled very carefully because the laws and precedents are very specific. It’s critical to get everything set carefully because any missteps could have a negative impact on the case.
How can a legal representative help?
A legal representative can help in these cases in several ways. It’s critical that the individual speaks frankly and honestly about everything related to the case. Attorney-client privilege provides protection because the attorney can’t speak to the court about what they discuss with their clients.
Anyone who’s facing the potential denial of an immigration petition or who’s facing deportation because of criminal charges should ensure they explore their options for addressing these matters. Having a legal representative who can assist with this may help them determine how the most up-to-date guidance and laws will impact their case.
