San Fernando Criminal Defense Lawyer Providing Assistance in Criminal Immigration

If you are a not a U.S. citizen, having a criminal record can greatly jeopardize your ability to remain in the United States. If you are an immigrant in the United States and you are convicted of certain criminal offenses, you can end up being deported, or removed, from the country. You can even be subject to deportation if you a permanent resident. Being removed from the country will force you to be completely uprooted from your current life, potentially forcing you to be separated from your loved ones here in the U.S.

Whether you were wrongfully accused of a crime or you are simply looking for a second chance, it is in your best interests to retain of an experienced lawyer. At the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Vallens, we have a San Fernando criminal defense lawyer who can help you challenge your criminal charges so that you can increase your chances of staying in this country.

Criminal Grounds for Deportation

There are various criminal grounds for deportation. Individuals with the types of convictions outlined below (as listed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Resource Manual) can be at risk of being removed from the U.S.

Crime of moral turpitude—An immigrant can be deported for a conviction for a crime involving “moral turpitude.” The offense must have been committed within five years from the time the individual entered the U.S., and the individual must have been sentenced to at least one year of confinement, even if the sentence is entirely suspended. Crimes of moral turpitude tend to be more serious, particularly those that involved conduct that “shocks the public conscience,” according to administrative case law. Examples of these types of crimes include murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault.

Multiple crimes of moral turpitude—When an alien receives a conviction for two or more crimes of involving moral turpitude that did not arise from a single incident or criminal scheme, he or she can be deported. In these cases, it doesn’t matter at what point after entry the offense occurred, and it also doesn’t matter whether the individual was subsequently confined. Even two misdemeanors can lead to deportation through this rule—as long as the offenses are considered crimes of moral turpitude.

Aggravated felonies—A conviction for an aggravated felony can result in a deportation. An aggravated felony takes many different shapes and sizes. Some misdemeanors can be considered aggravated felonies under the Immigration Act of 1996. The record of conviction is important in determining what is and what is not a deportable or excludable offense.

Deportable offense vs. Excludable offense–Some convictions can simply get an immigrant deported. Others can render the immigrant excluded from re-entry in the future. Talk to a lawyer who knows the difference.

Help Getting Legal Status — If you are presently in the country illegally and you want help getting legal status, call our office immediately. You or someone close to you may be eligible for legal status, a driver’s license or other relief thanks to President Obama’s new executive order. Call us so we can help you establish your rights to stay here and get legal: (888) 764-4340 or (818) 783-5700. Hablamos Español.

Don’t try to handle your criminal charges alone. Attorney Jeffrey S. Vallens has more than 22 years of experience, so he is fully prepared to provide you with top-quality legal representation for your criminal immigration matter. Contact our office today!