Strategic and Aggressive Criminal Defense And Immigration Representation

Experienced Criminal Defense For Immigrants

If you are seeking to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization or you are here as a lawful permanent resident, then you are required to adhere to the laws of the state in which you reside. Further, if you are here with a temporary visa, then you are also required to abide by state and federal laws. A violation of these laws can have extremely severe consequences. Some results of conviction of a crime can include deportation and removal from the United States. In addition, if you are deported for the commission of a crime, then you may be barred from reentry in the future.

At Bartell Georgalas & Juarez, we have built a strong practice guiding clients through all facets of the immigration process and have years of experience providing criminal defense.  Through the long history of our practice, we have represented clients facing both immigration and criminal law matters. We understand the severity of criminal charges on your immigrant status or your ability to remain in or re-enter the United States.

Immigrant Defense Lawyers Fighting For You

Our firm is dedicated to helping immigrants. A large part of our practice is helping those clients protect their immigration status through skilled and vigorous criminal defense. According to title 8 USC §1227, there are many crimes that can result in the deportation of aliens from the United States; others can result in inadmissibility at the time of arrival. We can provide legal advice and representation to clients facing a wide range of criminal allegations and immigration violations, including:

  • DUI/DWI (drunk driving)
  • Domestic violence and protective order violations
  • Drug crimes
  • Serious felonies (murder, robbery, sexual assault, etc.)
  • Weapon offenses
  • White collar crimes (fraud, tax fraud, embezzlement)
  • Identity theft and forgery
  • Marriage fraud to obtain entry to the U.S.
  • Falsely claiming citizenship
  • Criminal re-entry after deportation
  • Smuggling other aliens into the United States
  • Human trafficking
  • Other deportable crimes

We will make every effort to avoid a conviction (or guilty plea) that would threaten your ability to stay in the United States. We aim to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a non-deportable offense, and our attorneys are prepared to go to trial to fight for your freedom and your immigrant status.

What Does It Mean For Your Immigrant Status?

In 2010, the United States Supreme Court heard the case Padilla v. Commonwealth of Kentucky. This ruling was groundbreaking in the sense that the court said it was a violation of the Sixth Amendment if an individual’s defense attorney failed to advise his or her client of the immigration consequences of pleading guilty to any criminal charge. This situation can be used as grounds to reopen a previous case.

Illegal Reentry Into The United States After Removal

Illegal reentry – or criminal reentry – is the term used to describe a situation where an individual comes back to the United States after being deported. There are obvious criminal repercussions of illegal reentry, including significant prison time. Additionally, if you re-enter the country unlawfully, you can be considered ineligible for waivers of inadmissibility.

It can be challenging to defend an illegal reentry case. We will thoroughly examine your situation to determine the best defense. Our firm will strive to keep you informed about the progress of your case at every stage. These are serious matters that must be handled by an experienced lawyer.

Citizenship And Marriage Fraud

There are serious risks involved in falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen or claiming to be married to one, including deportation. There are several ways that noncitizens can make a false claim, including:

  • Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a job application
  • Registering to vote in an election
  • Indicating that you are a U.S. citizen on an I-9 Employment Eligibility form
  • Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a student loan application
  • Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a mortgage loan application

If you are concerned that you are under investigation for marriage fraud or have been charged with a crime, it is important to contact a skilled immigration attorney. We can defend you no matter the complexity of your situation. If you have questions regarding the immigration process, criminal defense or specific aspects of a marriage fraud charge, contact our firm for a free consultation.

There are certain exceptions and effective defenses to a false claim to citizenship. You need to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible. We will fight to protect you from both immigration consequences and criminal penalties.

We Are Immigration And Criminal Defense Lawyers

Our experience and special focus provide the best protection of your rights if you are a noncitizen charged with a crime. Call us today at 216-710-6700 for a free consultation or contact us by email, and we will respond promptly.