As an immigrant, facing any criminal charges can be distressing due to the possibility of deportation. There may be a lot you have going on regarding work or family, which you may have to leave behind once you are deported. However, not all crimes are deportable. It all depends on the extent of your charges.
In addition to other serious offenses, being convicted of a crime of moral turpitude will certainly lead to deportation. This only applies when you are sentenced to more than one year in prison for such a crime within five years of admission to the US. In addition, you could also face deportation if you’ve been found guilty on more than one occasion.
But what exactly is a crime of moral turpitude??
The definition of moral turpitude
Crimes of moral turpitude are acts that shock the public and go against the rules of morality or duty owed to other people in society. Additionally, such acts are done with evil intent or recklessness.
The definition of crimes of moral turpitude is not clear-cut, and you may find that your charges fall within this threshold while it didn’t seem so from the start. Examples of such crimes include fraud, domestic violence, and kidnapping.
What do you need to do?
If you have been charged with a crime of moral turpitude, you need to know that there is a lot at stake, including the possible jail term you will have to serve before being deported.
Defending your charges is in your best interests. Remember, if you are not found guilty, your immigration status will remain unaffected. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid a conviction by all means. Having a solid defense strategy will work in your favor and help you avoid deportation.