'Moral Turpitude'?

[EmersonsFoot 0]

First of all, what is 'moral turpitude' exactly?

Second, am I screwing myself if I answer yes to the following question? (I think I have to say yes, because I've admitted to smoking marijuana in the past, to both customs agents and the doctor at my K-1 medical exam).

Form I-485, Q1a:

"Have you ever, in or outside the United States, knowingly committed any crime of moral turpitude or a drug-related offense for which you have not been arrested?" (If 'Yes' explain on seperate piece of paper).

So I'm thinking I should answer 'yes' and just explain that it pertains to my having smoked marijuana (years ago) in my Country of origin. Should be safe, yes?

Thanks again!

Brooke

[yogib37 3]

First of all, what is 'moral turpitude' exactly?

Second, am I screwing myself if I answer yes to the following question? (I think I have to say yes, because I've admitted to smoking marijuana in the past, to both customs agents and the doctor at my K-1 medical exam).

Form I-485, Q1a:

"Have you ever, in or outside the United States, knowingly committed any crime of moral turpitude or a drug-related offense for which you have not been arrested?" (If 'Yes' explain on seperate piece of paper).

So I'm thinking I should answer 'yes' and just explain that it pertains to my having smoked marijuana (years ago) in my Country of origin. Should be safe, yes?

Thanks again!

Brooke

i looked it up and according the the Wikipedia Encyclopida it means :

Moral Turpitude

1. n. gross violation of standards of moral conduct, or vileness, such that an act was intentionally evil, making the act a crime. The existence of moral turpitude, as used in criminal proceedings, can bring a more severe charge or penalty for a criminal defendant.

2. is a criminal behavior that gravely infringes on the moral sentiments of the community. It is classified as a malum in se type of crime. Examples include murder, larceny and aggravated assault. Such a finding can lead to deportation in the United States, one of many collateral consequences of criminal charges.

3. Conduct done knowingly contrary to justice, honesty or good morals.

4. Can result in the removal of persons in a position of legal authority.

I hope that helps you some

Yogi

[sjoefl01 1]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Since you have already admitted this to the physician on your medical I think you probably ought to write yes and send a couple of paragraphs. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you say nothing and the doctor noted your confession in your file then it may look like you are not being honest with them. Being dishonest is much more serious than smoking a little pot a long time ago.

There may be folks that disagree with me on this. My reply is not based on VJ experiences, just common sense.

[EmersonsFoot 0]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Since you have already admitted this to the physician on your medical I think you probably ought to write yes and send a couple of paragraphs. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you say nothing and the doctor noted your confession in your file then it may look like you are not being honest with them. Being dishonest is much more serious than smoking a little pot a long time ago.

There may be folks that disagree with me on this. My reply is not based on VJ experiences, just common sense.

My common sense agrees with your common sense, and that's what I'm going on. Thanks!

First of all, what is 'moral turpitude' exactly?

Second, am I screwing myself if I answer yes to the following question? (I think I have to say yes, because I've admitted to smoking marijuana in the past, to both customs agents and the doctor at my K-1 medical exam).

Form I-485, Q1a:

"Have you ever, in or outside the United States, knowingly committed any crime of moral turpitude or a drug-related offense for which you have not been arrested?" (If 'Yes' explain on seperate piece of paper).

So I'm thinking I should answer 'yes' and just explain that it pertains to my having smoked marijuana (years ago) in my Country of origin. Should be safe, yes?

Thanks again!

Brooke

i looked it up and according the the Wikipedia Encyclopida it means :

Moral Turpitude

1. n. gross violation of standards of moral conduct, or vileness, such that an act was intentionally evil, making the act a crime. The existence of moral turpitude, as used in criminal proceedings, can bring a more severe charge or penalty for a criminal defendant.

2. is a criminal behavior that gravely infringes on the moral sentiments of the community. It is classified as a malum in se type of crime. Examples include murder, larceny and aggravated assault. Such a finding can lead to deportation in the United States, one of many collateral consequences of criminal charges.

3. Conduct done knowingly contrary to justice, honesty or good morals.

4. Can result in the removal of persons in a position of legal authority.

I hope that helps you some

Yogi

Thanks Yogi, that does help (and makes me laugh - they actually use the word 'evil' in relation to LAW. Wow).

I appreciate your help!

[Jenn! 918]

Are you sure "drug-related offense" includes smoking some pot years ago? I would think that they mean more along the lines of selling drugs. But I have no idea, really. I myself would probably do as much research as possible into the intent of that question before I wrote something that could open up a can of worms...

[pax 0]

Also, do they really want you to confess to every time you ran a stop sign or drove over the speed limit?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Since you have already admitted this to the physician on your medical I think you probably ought to write yes and send a couple of paragraphs. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you say nothing and the doctor noted your confession in your file then it may look like you are not being honest with them. Being dishonest is much more serious than smoking a little pot a long time ago.

There may be folks that disagree with me on this. My reply is not based on VJ experiences, just common sense.

I agree. Especially since it was admitted to before.

[Kajikit 65]

Were you arrested? Because it seems to me that that part of the question is relevant too... ooops, I went back to check and I read it wrong. Sorry, ignore my answer!

Yes you need to tell them again... it'll be in your file somewhere.

[Jasman0717 9]

First of all, what is 'moral turpitude' exactly?

Second, am I screwing myself if I answer yes to the following question? (I think I have to say yes, because I've admitted to smoking marijuana in the past, to both customs agents and the doctor at my K-1 medical exam).

Form I-485, Q1a:

"Have you ever, in or outside the United States, knowingly committed any crime of moral turpitude or a drug-related offense for which you have not been arrested?" (If 'Yes' explain on seperate piece of paper).

So I'm thinking I should answer 'yes' and just explain that it pertains to my having smoked marijuana (years ago) in my Country of origin. Should be safe, yes?

Thanks again!

Brooke

i looked it up and according the the Wikipedia Encyclopida it means :

Moral Turpitude

1. n. gross violation of standards of moral conduct, or vileness, such that an act was intentionally evil, making the act a crime. The existence of moral turpitude, as used in criminal proceedings, can bring a more severe charge or penalty for a criminal defendant.

2. is a criminal behavior that gravely infringes on the moral sentiments of the community. It is classified as a malum in se type of crime. Examples include murder, larceny and aggravated assault. Such a finding can lead to deportation in the United States, one of many collateral consequences of criminal charges.

3. Conduct done knowingly contrary to justice, honesty or good morals.

4. Can result in the removal of persons in a position of legal authority.

I hope that helps you some

Yogi

[Autumnal 25]

Owning up is probably good if you were arrested or otherwise 'noted' officially on having such a thing. It might also be wise to go further and note that you will not commit such an action now that you are wiser and more responsible, if that's the truth. ^^

[iceyspots 0]

Wow.. those definitions leave a really wide space of interpretation open...

[meauxna 15]

I'm really surprised at the cavalier replies in this thread... Not that I have a definitive answer--this is not the place to get one! ANY drug use or admitting such has major implications, like lifetime ban implications.

If I were the OP I would be having a PRIVATE consultation with an immigration attorney where I explain what I've already said and to whom (and what I'd put in writing in a sworn statement, like the application forms), and hope that the waiver process will be quick.

This is not necessarily going to be blown over at the interview, like overstaying 3 days on a VWP or driving a few over the speedlimit. It's not the moral turpitude angle, it's the zero tolerance thing.

Here is a recent related thread about their visa denial for drug use.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...topic=10900&hl=

[De & Al 0]

I think it should be no, unless you were arrested

???.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

I'm really surprised at the cavalier replies in this thread... Not that I have a definitive answer--this is not the place to get one! ANY drug use or admitting such has major implications, like lifetime ban implications.

If I were the OP I would be having a PRIVATE consultation with an immigration attorney where I explain what I've already said and to whom (and what I'd put in writing in a sworn statement, like the application forms), and hope that the waiver process will be quick.

This is not necessarily going to be blown over at the interview, like overstaying 3 days on a VWP or driving a few over the speedlimit. It's not the moral turpitude angle, it's the zero tolerance thing.

Here is a recent related thread about their visa denial for drug use.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...topic=10900&hl=

I agree, it's wise to understand the possible ramifications. I'd also add that what might be an act that could render an alien inadmissible, might not render an alien removable.

[Ban Hammer 13,624]

my thoughts on this - i believe what they are looking for is a way to rule out prostitutes, pimps, etc.