Raleigh, NC Criminal Conviction Immigration Lawyers

Attorneys in Charlotte and Smithfield for Immigrants Facing Criminal Charges

The laws that pertain to immigration matters in the United States are incredibly complex. Foreign nationals coming from other countries to the U.S. are often unaware of how various factors could affect their ability to stay in the United States legally. These same factors could even impact their immigration status overall. For many would-be immigrants, a common issue is being charged with or convicted of a crime. Those who are here legally, as well as undocumented immigrants, frequently fail to consider that being convicted on many types of criminal charges could cause immigration officials to initiate removal and deportation proceedings.

At the Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC, our skilled attorneys have vast experience in both matters of immigration and criminal defense. With more than 35 years of combined legal experience, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help non-citizens throughout the region protect their best interests, their rights, and their immigration status in the United States.

How Criminal Prosecution Could Affect Immigration Status

As a non-U.S. citizen, if you are convicted of committing a crime, your immigration status and ability to stay legally in the U.S. could be affected. This is true even if you are a lawful permanent resident—also known as a green card holder. The particular consequences associated with your case, however, will depend on a host of different factors, including but not limited to:

• Your current immigration status, e.g., lawful permanent resident, non-immigrant visa holder, etc.
• How long you have been living in the U.S.
• The severity and nature of the criminal charges that you are facing
• Your prior criminal record, if any, including past immigration law violations

In most criminal cases, the prosecuting attorney will offer a plea bargain, ostensibly to reduce charges against the suspect, as well as the associated penalties. If you are a non-citizen foreign national, however, you need to keep in mind that a plea deal generally requires you to plead guilty to some type of criminal offense. A guilty plea, in most situations, will have the same effects as a conviction handed down by a judge or jury. With this in mind, you must know if your immigration status is in danger before you accept any deals offered by prosecutors. Once a plea deal has been accepted and the judgment has been entered, it is too late to change your mind.

Johnston County Counsel for Non-Citizens in Criminal Matters

When you are facing charges related to a deportable offense, it is crucial to work with a law firm that is well-versed in both criminal law and U.S. immigration policies. The attorneys at the Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC have helped many non-U.S. citizens throughout Wake County and the surrounding areas with their most complex criminal cases, and we have obtained many favorable results. We know that a conviction could result in your deportation—an outcome that could have devastating effects on your family. Our lawyers understand the stakes, and we will do all we can to assist you in avoiding a conviction and protecting your right to remain in the United States legally.

At our firm, we are also prepared to help non-citizens who have already been convicted of a deportable offense. We will review the details of your case and explain your available options, which may include getting the judgment vacated or demonstrating to immigration officials that you should be allowed to remain in the U.S. despite your conviction. No matter how serious your situation may be, we are committed to helping you protect your best interests at every stage of the proceedings.

We Are Ready to Help You

To learn more about our firm and our approach to criminal cases that could affect your immigration status, contact our office. Call 919-533-7000 or 919-989-3000 to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team today. We serve individuals and families in Raleigh, Smithfield, Charlotte, Wake County, Johnston County, Mecklenburg County, and the neighboring communities. Hablamos Espanol.