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Riverside Criminal Defense Immigration Attorney

Riverside Criminal Defense Immigration Attorney

As someone who is not a US citizen, you may face extreme consequences if you are even investigated for a crime. If convicted, you could not only lose your job, but also your freedom. Furthermore, a conviction—or, in some cases, even the investigation—could interfere with your immigration status. Working with a public defender or even a criminal defense attorney isn’t enough; for the best defense, you need a law firm that understands your unique situation and—most importantly—has experience with immigration law. You need a Riverside criminal defense immigration attorney to help protect you as much as possible.

 

Facing Criminal Charges in Riverside as a Non-citizen?

Criminal charges can be frightening for anyone. For non-citizens, however, those consequences can feel even more daunting. If you are facing criminal charges in Riverside as a non-citizen, you need a highly-qualified attorney who specializes in criminal defense and possesses knowledge of immigration law. Having a Riverside criminal defense immigration lawyer on your side will help you protect your rights and your freedom. From ensuring that you understand the charges against you and the potential consequences to helping to minimize the consequences as much as possible, we want to help.

 

Top-Rated Riverside Criminal Defense Immigration Attorney

Immigration Consequences for Criminal Convictions

A criminal conviction can threaten your immigration status and lead to a number of potential problems. A criminal record could prevent you from remaining in the United States and prevent you from obtaining citizenship. Furthermore, a criminal conviction could mean:

  • Arrest by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division
  • Detention
  • Removal from the United States/deportation
  • Revocation of your current status, including your right to immigrate

In addition, you could face many of the same criminal consequences faced by citizens when they commit a crime, including fees, jail time, and revocation of privileges like your ability to drive (in the case of a DUI or vehicle-based conviction). Having a Riverside criminal defense immigration lawyer on your side can go a long way toward helping to protect your rights and minimizing the consequences you may face.

 

What Are Deportable Crimes?

Deportable crimes or offenses include those that could challenge your immigration status and lead to your removal from the United States. These crimes may include:

  • Aggravated felonies, like human trafficking or kidnapping
  • Crimes that show extreme amorality in the individual, including lewd acts with a minor child, arson, or burglary
  • Any type of drug offense, potentially including minor drug offenses
  • Federal firearms offenses, including purchasing, selling, or exchanging firearms in a federal offense
    • Note: Many firearms offenses are charged as state crimes, not federal crimes, and as such are not considered deportable offenses.
  • Domestic violence

Often, these crimes may carry much more serious consequences for potential non-citizens than they would for United States citizens. As such, it is critical that you have a criminal defense immigration attorney on your side to help protect your immigration status and right to reside in the United States as well as your personal rights and freedoms.

 

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Which Crimes in California Can Lead to Inadmissibility?

There are several crimes in California that can lead to a status of inadmissibility, which means that the individual cannot reenter the United States once they have left, cannot become a US citizen, and cannot apply for permanent resident status in the United States. These crimes include:

  • Crimes of “moral turpitude,” including those that show a serious lack of moral judgment or cause immense harm to another party
  • Many types of drug crimes
  • Cases of multiple convictions, when the total sentence means five years or more in jail

Immigration law is complex and multifaceted, and even minor convictions can carry serious consequences to your immigration status, including leading to inadmissibility.

 

A Riverside Criminal Defense Immigration Attorney Can Help

A criminal investigation or even criminal charges do not necessarily have to mean disaster for your immigration status. In many cases, a Riverside criminal defense immigration attorney can help protect your rights and your immigration status. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate this complex situation.

 

Our Process

I’VE BEEN CHARGED. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

  • Arrest
    01

    Arrest

    The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.

  • Reading Your
    Rights
    02

    Reading Your
    Rights

    You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.

  • Booking
    03

    Booking

    The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.

  • Arraignment
    04

    Arraignment

    The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.

  • Discovery
    05

    Discovery

    In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.

  • Plea Bargaining
    06

    Plea Bargaining

    Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.

  • Trial
    07

    Trial

    The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.

  • Sentencing
    08

    Sentencing

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.

Possible Penalties For A Criminal Conviction

Jail or Prison Time

Substantial Fines

Lengthy Probation

License Suspension

Mandatory Education

Frequently Asked Questions

If I plead guilty, will I be deported?

In some cases, you may be deported if you plead guilty to a crime. Whether you will be deported will depend on the type of crime and the consequences for it. If you receive a criminal conviction that leads to less than 12 months in jail, you might not have your visa canceled, and you might be able to remain in the country.

However, keep in mind that in some cases, pleading guilty to lesser charges could result in deportation. For example, many types of drug convictions, such as Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, may lead to deportation from the United States, even crimes that might have relatively minor consequences for US residents. As such, you should make sure that you work closely with a Riverside criminal defense immigration attorney to protect your immigration status as well as your personal freedoms.

What crimes affect immigration?

Even a criminal misdemeanor can lead to consequences that may impact your immigration status. While there are specific crimes that may lead to revocation of your current status if you are convicted, even a misdemeanor could prevent you from being eligible for a visa or green card. In general, you can only get a “petty offense” exception for a single crime, including a misdemeanor.

Unfortunately, many non-citizens will plead guilty to lesser charges or plead guilty in exchange for seemingly minor consequences, like community service hours or a short jail term. Later, that criminal conviction could make it impossible for the non-citizen to apply for current residency or slow down the immigration process. A Riverside criminal defense immigration attorney can help take your immigration status and changing needs into consideration as you manage those criminal charges.

Should you tell your lawyer everything?

Yes. You should always tell your lawyer all the facts so that your lawyer can represent you as effectively as possible. Lawyers cannot prepare for things they do not know about ahead of time, whether that means surprise evidence that crops up as you attempt to defend your case or past criminal convictions. Providing your lawyer with all the details can help them build a better defense that is more likely to protect your rights.

Criminal Defense for All

We Serve All Riverside County

The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?

Southwest Courthouse

  • Murrieta
  • Temecula

Riverside Courthouse

  • Moreno Valley
  • Riverside

Banning Courthouse

  • Beaumont
  • San Jacinto

Indio Courthouse

  • Indio
  • Palm Desert

Santa Anna Courthouse

  • Santa Ana
  • Orange

Fullerton Courthouse

  • Anaheim
  • Fullerton

Irvine Courthouse

  • Irvine
  • Costa Mesa

Westminster Courthouse

  • Huntington Beach
  • Garden Grove