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Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

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Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

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Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

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Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
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Criminal Defense Immigration Consequences

By Spodek Law Group | July 17, 2023
(Last Updated On: October 15, 2023)

Last Updated on: 15th October 2023, 09:35 am

The Complex Immigration Consequences of Criminal Charges

Immigrants accused of crimes face overwhelming consequences. Even minor crimes can lead to deportation, visa denials, and other serious immigration penalties. Understanding how criminal charges impact immigration status is crucial for achieving the best outcome.

How Crimes Impact Immigration

Any criminal conviction can affect an immigrant’s ability to enter the U.S., stay in the U.S., become a citizen, or secure other immigration benefits. However, not all crimes are treated equally under immigration law. Some of the most serious consequences are triggered by:

  • Crimes involving moral turpitude
  • Aggravated felonies
  • Controlled substance offenses
  • Firearms offenses
  • Domestic violence crimes

Even minor crimes like petty theft or simple assault can be deemed “crimes involving moral turpitude,” leading to deportation and other penalties. Drug possession, firearm offenses, and certain theft and fraud crimes are classified as “aggravated felonies” – triggering mandatory detention and deportation.

In other cases, multiple convictions for minor crimes can show a “pattern of criminal activity” leading to deportation. Simply being accused of a crime is enough to bar admission to the U.S. in many cases.

Immigration Consequences of Specific Crimes

Drug Crimes

Almost any drug conviction except simple possession of 30g or less of marijuana can lead to deportation and visa denials. Drug trafficking offenses and repeated possession offenses are aggravated felonies leading to mandatory detention and deportation. Even expunged or juvenile drug convictions can count.

Theft and Fraud Crimes

Theft and fraud offenses involving loss over $10,000 are aggravated felonies. Other theft/fraud convictions may be crimes of moral turpitude. Tax crimes, identity theft, forgery, racketeering and money laundering often lead to immigration penalties.

Violent Crimes

Murder, rape, sexual abuse, kidnapping, child abuse, spousal abuse and some assault offenses are aggravated felonies. Simple assault may be a crime of moral turpitude if it involves reckless conduct and injury.

Firearms Offenses

Nearly any firearms offense is an aggravated felony, including possession of an unregistered firearm, possession by a prohibited person, sale to a prohibited person, etc. Firearms convictions result in mandatory deportation.

DUI and Traffic Offenses

Multiple DUIs or a single DUI with injury to persons or property can be aggravated felonies. Even minor traffic offenses like driving without a license can be deportable if there are multiple convictions.

Avoiding Immigration Consequences

The immigration impact of a criminal case depends on the specific charges, the plea, and the sentence. An experienced criminal defense attorney considers immigration consequences at every stage. Common strategies include:

  • Avoiding charges that trigger deportation grounds
  • Plea bargaining to lesser charges
  • Getting charges dismissed through diversion or deferred adjudication
  • Avoiding sentences that trigger removal, like 1 year for aggravated felonies

Immigration-safe pleas avoid aggravated felony convictions, crimes of moral turpitude, and other removable offenses. Getting felony charges reduced to misdemeanors and pleas without jail time are often immigration-safe.

Seeking Post-Conviction Relief

It may be possible to reopen a criminal case after conviction to change the plea, vacate charges, or modify the sentence to avoid immigration penalties. Common forms of post-conviction relief include:

  • Motions to withdraw guilty plea
  • Appeals and habeas corpus petitions
  • Motions to vacate judgment
  • Governor’s pardon
  • Record expungement

When successful, post-conviction relief can eliminate grounds of deportation and allow keeping lawful status. However, it is complex and time-sensitive.

Fighting Deportation After Conviction

If criminal charges do trigger deportation, an immigration attorney can help fight removal and keep lawful status. Defenses and relief options include:

  • Contesting removability
  • Cancellation of removal for permanent residents
  • 212(h) waiver for crimes of moral turpitude
  • Prosecutorial discretion requests
  • VAWA, U visa, T visa for victims of crimes

Winning these cases requires extensive evidence of rehabilitation, family ties, and hardship. The immigration lawyer’s role is critical.

Takeaways

  • All immigrants with criminal charges need experienced criminal and immigration attorneys
  • Minor crimes can trigger deportation – don’t assume a plea is “safe”
  • Aggravated felonies and moral turpitude crimes have severe consequences
  • Work the criminal case to avoid immigration penalties
  • Act quickly if charges do cause deportability
  • Post-conviction relief and deportation waivers are complex but can help

The stakes are high when facing criminal charges and immigration penalties. Early involvement of skilled criminal and immigration lawyers offers the best chance to avoid devastating consequences.

References

[1] Immigration Consequences Texas [2] Houston Criminal Immigration Lawyer [3] Immigration Consequences for a Criminal Offense [4] San Antonio Immigration & Criminal Defense Lawyer [5] Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity [6] Criminal Immigration Law

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