If you or a loved one has been arrested or accused of a crime in Connecticut or New York, we urge you to exercise your right to remain silent and seek legal advice immediately. Whether you are facing a first time DUI, a juvenile criminal offense, or a more serious felony, our attorneys CAN help.
Please contact us as soon as possible.
M.C. Law Group, LLC has experience representing clients who are concerned about the immigration consequences of their criminal law matters. Our immigration lawyers will carefully analyze the complicated and life-changing incidents that may have involved criminal activity to ensure that clients’ immigration statuses are not jeopardized. Our attorneys will make certain that our clients are aware of the potential immigration pitfalls of not only criminal convictions, but even a criminal charge that did not end in conviction.
Important Note about Plea Bargaining:
Be very cautious about entering ANY agreement to plead guilty or no contest (nolo contendere):
- If you are not a United States citizen, make sure you know what the immigration consequence might be before deciding what to do with your case. Be sure to obtain the advice of an immigration attorney. A slight change in your charged offense or sentence could make a huge difference in any deportation consequences.
- Remember, the prosecutor has to prove each and every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Every conviction, whether from a jury, guilty plea, or no contest plea, is a life sentence in that it will have a lifetime effect on your employment, licenses, and credit.
Post Conviction Relief:
It is important to remember that even if you have been convicted of a crime, or unknowingly pled guilty to a charge that may now be presenting immigration complications for you, our immigration lawyers CAN still help. Our immigration and criminal law attorneys can try to re-open your case, withdraw your plea, appeal a conviction, and research whether proper counsel and advice was given regarding your rights. Our immigration attorneys can help file for waivers to criminal conviction so that you may still be able to avoid removal and adjust your status to that of an LPR (Legal Permanent Resident) or U.S. citizen.
Even a small detail, such as a criminal judge failing to advise a defendant on the immigration effects of a criminal conviction, may be grounds for termination of deportation or removal proceedings. Needless to say, if a conviction is vacated, the immigration issues are eliminated.
For example, if a Legal Permanent Resident (a “Green Card” holder), who had been charged with soliciting of a prostitute, subsequently travels outside of the United States, he may be found inadmissible on his return because his criminal investigation is still pending. However, such a problem could have been easily avoided if the client had consulted with the right attorney in a timely manner. Only an attorney who has experience in both immigration and criminal law will be able to advise a client on how to prevent potential expenses and aggravation when dealing with U.S. immigration agencies and on the best way to return to his friends and family.
Criminal convictions come with heavy consequences for a client’s immigration future. Nonetheless, a timely and successful motion to reduce one’s conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor or a misdemeanor to an infraction may give a client a needed relief from the impending deportation.
Knowing the right solution for the appropriate client distinguishes our Connecticut law firm from other lawyers. We offer comprehensive one stop solutions, and we make immigration happen.
Please contact our Connecticut immigration attorneys to schedule your FREE case evaluation to protect your immigration rights as concerns your criminal matters.
