crimes of moral turpitude

[copacabana]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

Last summer I worked in the USA with non-immigrant visa. I had taken 7-8 books from the city’s library. At the time, when I was about to leave the USA, my work-schedule was full, and I didn’t have time to return them. I left the books to a friend of mine, who was a local resident to return them to the library. But it seems that this friend of mine has has misused and "forgotten" to do so, since I received an e-mail that the library has billed the books to my account.
This year I received notification letter that I’ve won from the Green card lottery. I am concerned of whether this story with the books could be an obstacle for me to obtain a green card. I’ve read that green card could be rejected due to crimes of moral turpitude. Is the non-returning of borrowed books to the library considered as a crime and if it is could be considered as a crime of moral turpitude? I could only read that larceny (grand and petty) do fall into this cathegory. However I have not done the non-returning with an evil intent, which is also a prerequisite for such a crime.
As long as I remember the library did not take my SSN when I was registering, only my Int. passport in order to record my name. Could they sue me for the balance charged on my account?

 

[Just Blue]

How about sending the library a American Express Money Order for the cost of the books? Or call and pay by credit card....

 

[copacabana]

re

I will pay for the books anyway. But it won't help paying if the failure to return books is considered as a crime. Moreover a year has passed since then and I am afraid if it is too late?

 

[Just Blue]

I will pay for the books anyway. But it won't help paying if the failure to return books is considered as a crime. Moreover a year has passed since then and I am afraid if it is too late?

I doubt that the Library has pressed charges for the books...But pay the fine. AttyLana should be on today and perhaps she can be more helpfull...She is an Immigration Attorney.

 

[copacabana]

re

I'll be very grateful. My question is not whether I should pay or not, it is clear if I want to start a new life in the US I should pay. If I haven't paid until I arrive in the US, they'll find a way to make me do it - probably I will not be able to register in any library until I pay to this one (just like banks do for outstanding debt). I only want to know of whether the deed (or the absence of deed in this case - failure to return) is a crime and whether it could be classified as a crime of moral turpitude or as a larceny (which is a crime of moral turpitude). Next time I will not be that trustful and I will not entrust books, DVD's or whatever to someone else if they have been checked out on my account.