Arrest

[suziq38]

I was arrested for a fight at a soccer brawl over 15 years ago. I was exonerated and was not in jail for more than a few hours. It was determined that what I did was self-defense.

What do I need to bring to the interview and what is a good way to explain this type of situation?

I can explain what happened, as I speak English well. Do I need to hire a lawyer, even though I was cleared of all original charges?

Thank you!

[erkjak]

RE: Arrest

I was arrested for a fight at a soccer brawl over 15 years ago. I was exonerated and was not in jail for more than a few hours. It was determined that what I did was self-defense.

What do I need to bring to the interview and what is a good way to explain this type of situation?

I can explain what happened, as I speak English well. Do I need to hire a lawyer, even though I was cleared of all original charges?

Thank you!

Since it happened outside of the five-year period they consider for CIMT (crimes involving moral turpitude), you should be OK. HOWEVER, to cover your bases, you should obtain a copy of the arrest record (if available) and a certified copy of the court disposition. If this is your only criminal background related issue, there is no good reason to hire an immigration attorney.