Self-defense

[BeverlySamms 1]

I am sure that I probably need to see a lawyer about this, but I thought it would help first to ask the forum.

My husband and I are getting ready to apply for a visa here and I have looked over the forms (I am American, he is not). There are questions that ask about criminal background, imprisonment, etc.

My husband has told me some things that happened in his past for which there is no criminal record. He was involved in a fight in which a man died. The man was part of a group which confronted

him when he was in a strange place with two female family members. He fought to protect his family and a man was killed. He went to court, but it was ruled self-defense. There is nothing on his

record about this....absolutely nothing. I know it only because he told me.

There are questions on the visa application that ask if you have ever been involved in a person dying, basically. Then there is room to explain.

We do not know how to handle this. It was not a crime of moral turpitude. It was self-defense. Nobody knows about it now except the people closest to him. If we say yes, won't it prejudice and complicate

his application? What are we supposed to say? Do we need to get a lawyer?

I have never lied on a form in my life, but I feel between a rock and a hard place.

If you can give any advice, please do.

[NikLR 13,220]

He will still need to supply his his police records. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/MO.html#docs If there is not an issue, then there is not an issue. I don't see anywhere where court records are available for Morocco either. I can't see how this is going to be an issue since it's not on his criminal record (essentially he was ruled at not-guilty because self-defense right?) But maybe someone else who has gone through Casablanca can comment or we can move your thread to a regional forum if you want.

[Happytobe 164]

It's best to disclose the truth. If it was deemed self-defense, that should not be an issue. What would be is not disclosing it, and the government finding out about it during background checks.

At the NVC stage, he will submit both the police record and court record.

[BeverlySamms 1]

There is nothing about it on his police record at all. It was completely removed. His record looks like nothing even happened. He does not even want to mention it. He does not like to talk about it and he only told me after having known each other for quite some time.

[Happytobe 164]

I guess see what lawyers say. If you don't put it on the form, and our government finds out about it.... that would be misrepresentation and look like he's guilty of a crime whereas I'm sure the persons death was not the intention when he fought to defend himself and his family. Things happen. If misrepresentation is discovered, that could result in a ban from entering the US. Truth is the only way to go when dealing with our government in these matters. Best of luck. Seek the advice of more than one lawyer. You will see forum members always recommended truth on forms vs. Risking the ban

[BeverlySamms 1]

For me myself, I also always believe in the truth; it is my own personal ethic and I've never much had any real motive for deviating from that. But he feels strongly against disclosing; he's convinced that, if he does, his petition will be denied. So, actually, we are both worried about that now.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hide it and you may get away with it. If the omission is discovered and it is deemed a material misrepresentation, then prepared to have your family ripped apart when he is deported and ban for life.

Or disclose as required and deal with the consequences before you start a family with children.

[aaron2020 11,651]

For me myself, I also always believe in the truth; it is my own personal ethic and I've never much had any real motive for deviating from that. But he feels strongly against disclosing; he's convinced that, if he does, his petition will be denied. So, actually, we are both worried about that now.

Ask what would happen if the truth is later discovered and his punishment is deportation and a lifetime ban. Maybe at that time, you will have several small children. What happens then?

He needs to think about the worst possible consequences if he choose to lie on an immigration form.

[CanadianMom 45]

I am sure that I probably need to see a lawyer about this, but I thought it would help first to ask the forum.

My husband and I are getting ready to apply for a visa here and I have looked over the forms (I am American, he is not). There are questions that ask about criminal background, imprisonment, etc.

My husband has told me some things that happened in his past for which there is no criminal record. He was involved in a fight in which a man died. The man was part of a group which confronted

him when he was in a strange place with two female family members. He fought to protect his family and a man was killed. He went to court, but it was ruled self-defense. There is nothing on his

record about this....absolutely nothing. I know it only because he told me.

There are questions on the visa application that ask if you have ever been involved in a person dying, basically. Then there is room to explain.

We do not know how to handle this. It was not a crime of moral turpitude. It was self-defense. Nobody knows about it now except the people closest to him. If we say yes, won't it prejudice and complicate

his application? What are we supposed to say? Do we need to get a lawyer?

I have never lied on a form in my life, but I feel between a rock and a hard place.

If you can give any advice, please do.

Just because it's not on his police record, doesn't meant that there isn't a record of it somewhere that they could easily find. I would include it, and explain it. Maybe include some sort of court record that shows he was not guilty. Not including it is very risky IMO.

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

Welcome to VJ

You write " There is nothing on his record about this....absolutely nothing. I know it only because he told me"

You know this becuase your husband told you...If it were me and because you will need these papers anyways down the line

Before you decide on how you fill out your forms. That part I have no advice, never been there.

Have your husband pull his records

fiche anthropométrique = police record --- حسن السيرة والسلوك

Casier Judiciaire = court record -- السجل العدلي

Do your homework. For your knowledge too not just what goes on the application

[Boiler 43,434]

No arrest, no conviction, nothing. What is there to declare?

[NikLR 13,220]

Welcome to VJ

You write " There is nothing on his record about this....absolutely nothing. I know it only because he told me"

You know this becuase your husband told you...If it were me and because you will need these papers anyways down the line

Before you decide on how you fill out your forms. That part I have no advice, never been there.

Have your husband pull his records

fiche anthropométrique = police record --- حسن السيرة والسلوك

Casier Judiciaire = court record -- السجل العدلي

Do your homework. For your knowledge too not just what goes on the application

Thank you for chiming in! I had linked the reciprocity tables but had hoped someone from Morocco would be along to help.

So this should be on his court records because he went to court, while it may not be on a police record and he NEEDS those records for the NVC and consular interview.

This will have to be disclosed but should not be an issue.

[Boiler 43,434]

Where did he go to court?

[BeverlySamms 1]

I don't know. I will find out.

[BeverlySamms 1]

He did not go to court. My mistake. It just simply happened, and there is no court record.