Understand the role of an immigration lawyer
Question: I have have committed a crime but do not know if I should plead guilty or not and if I do plead guilty. I do not know what I should plead to.
Answer: These are very valid questions. Citizen. Every single crime could potentially affect your ability to legally remain in the United States.
Only if the criminal and immigration lawyers work together can you obtain the correct advice. An Immigration Lawyer is not an expert in Criminal Law and a Criminal Lawyer is not an expert in Immigration Law.
Neither the Criminal Attorney or the Criminal Judge are aware of how your particular criminal situation will affect your immigration status.
Question: How will the Criminal and Immigration Attorneys work together? What will they do to help me?
Answer: Generally, the Immigration Attorney can prepare the necessary criminal evaluation which will document to you and the criminal attorney exactly what is your immigration situation and the best alternatives for a plea that will have the least effect on your immigration status and will minimize the damage that could occur in future deportation hearings even if you get put into deportation or removal proceedings. The criminal and immigration lawyers working together will minimize the harm in deportation proceedings. As an aggravated outlaw, you would not be eligible for most forms of relief.
Question: What happens if I just plea guilty now as I am being told by my Criminal Lawyer that it is the best thing to do?
Answer: That would be a very large mistake. It is critical that you get the help of Criminal and Immigration Lawyers working together before you plea not after. It is possible to try to set aside the plea afterwards. However, it is considerably more difficult.