Being accused of committing a crime can be a scary and stressful experience. It is important to know that you have rights, and a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can ensure that those rights are protected throughout the legal process. This is particularly true if you or a loved one is an immigrant to the United States and accused of committing a crime. At The Law Offices of Arnoldo Benitez, with his experience Attorney Benitez is prepared to zealously defend you in your criminal case. To learn more, call or contact our office today.
Criminal offenses are either categorized as misdemeanor or felony offenses. Misdemeanors are the lower level offenses, which are usually non-violent and come with less punishment. Small amounts of drug possession and petty vandalism are common examples of misdemeanor offenses. Penalties for misdemeanor conviction can include a jail term up to one year, fines, community service, and more.
Felony offenses are the more serious crimes that include violent offenses and nonviolent offenses of a substantial nature, such as allegedly trafficking in large quantities of drugs. Conviction for a felony offense can come with years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, a permanent criminal record, probation, and more. Felony convictions also restrict a person’s freedom after their release, with prohibitions on possessing firearms, interacting with others who have a criminal record, voting, and running for public office, to name a few.
Immigrants who are arrested and accused of committing a criminal offense face even bigger penalties, which is why you should always have a defense attorney with experience handling your case.
Criminal conviction can have even more dire consequences for immigrants to the United States. One potential outcome is being rendered inadmissible to get your legal status within the U.S. In order to become or maintain status as a legal permanent resident or naturalized citizen, a person must show that they have good moral character. If they are convicted of “crimes of moral turpitude” it can result in serious immigration issues.
Another potential outcome of criminal conviction for immigrants is deportation. Under the new immigration laws, an immigrant may be removed and deported if convicted of certain crimes. This means that a person can be forcibly removed from the country and compelled to leave even if they are already in the United States.
It is important to know that there is a significant difference between arrest and conviction, and that all immigrants need to know their rights in order to protect themselves from inadmissibility or removal. If you or someone you know is arrested for a crime, you have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney. To learn more, talk to our office today.
Do you wish to apply for citizenship or have questions about the naturalization process? If so, attorney Arnoldo Benitez is here to help with top tier legal representation. To learn more, call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation of your case.
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