If You Practice Criminal Defense, Keep this Number in Your Phone
The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that attorneys “must inform a client” any time their plea “carries a risk of deportation.” That places a huge burden on criminal defense lawyers. With the constant change in immigration laws and policies, it is not possible to stay up-to-date on the intricacies of both immigration law and criminal law.
To provide your non-citizen clients with the possible service—and protect yourself from professional liability—you need to seek advice from an experienced immigration lawyer who understands the impact that various criminal convictions can have on immigration status. You need to talk to Ahmad Yakzan at American Dream®™ Law Office.
When to Talk to Ahmad
Deportation–officially referred to as “removal” under current immigration policies—can be a risk for anyone in the U.S. who is not a citizen. Someone can live and work in the U.S. with a green card for decades and suddenly find that a brush with the law now subjects them to removal proceedings.
The list of crimes that can put non-citizens at risk of deportation is staggering. Even crimes that have been expunged from the record can be used as grounds for removal. In short, if you have a client that is not a citizen, it is wise to run the details by Ahmad before making any recommendations about how to plead in a case.
Crimes of Moral Turpitude
In general terms, an immigrant may be deported if convicted of a “crime of moral turpitude” within five years after their entry into the U.S. or if they commit more than one of these crimes at any time. The definition of crimes that fit this category is vague and subject to change based on policy considerations.
Essentially any crime with an element of dishonesty, such as theft, or intent to cause damage or harm, such as vandalism, has the potential to be treated as a crime of moral turpitude. Are there exceptions? Yes. Do you want to risk your career on your judgment about a field of law that is outside your area of expertise? Maybe not.
The Experience You Need on a Tight Timeline
You operate on a tight schedule, and you need answers fast. At American Dream®™ Law Office, Ahmad Yakzan can provide the right information when you need it. Contact our office now to learn more about how we can work with you to provide accurate immigration law information for your most vulnerable clients.
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