A domestic violence conviction can have very serious consequences – including jail time, the imposition of restraining orders, and a permanent criminal record. And in the case of non-citizens, immigration issues present even further difficulties. The Bay Area is a melting pot, and we regularly represent immigrants from all over the world. In those cases, our defense attorneys will work with the specialist immigration attorney on our team to prioritize the protection of our client’s immigration status.
Yes, unfortunately it will. Non Citizens facing Domestic Violence charges may face deportation, denial of admission into the country or denial of naturalization. While there are immigration safe plea options for Domestic Violence cases, the outcome will depend on your current status. For example, a plea to violation of Penal Code 243(e) is generally considered safe for a permanent resident but could result in deportation if you have no status at all. In general terms, a conviction for violation of penal code section 273.5 can and will lead to serious and adverse immigration consequences.
If you are an immigrant, it is especially critical that you have an attorney who is prepared to defend your matter aggressively. We know that many people come to the Bay Area from all over the world to live and work, and many are not US citizens but are on visas, such as the H1 or H1B visa, or have green cards. We know that if you’re not a US citizen, you need extra assistance to protect against negative immigration consequences. Our clients are educated, hard-working professionals and we do not want to see them suffer the loss of their job, their good reputation, or their immigration status. We bring both our immigration and our criminal defense expertise to the table, and fight to get charges dropped.
Every case is different – but if you leave the country, it is possible that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (the INS) will not let you back in if you have a case pending. Our specialist immigration attorney can advise you on the best course of action to take in your case.
Immigration issues affect many of our clients, which is why we have an expert immigration attorney at Summit Defense team. He is part of the team for every case where our clients are facing immigration issues, and works with our criminal defense attorneys to develop the best strategies to preserve and protect our clients’ immigration status.
Our Domestic Violence lawyers includes three former prosecutors, a former police officer and attorneys educated at the country’s top law schools. We fight domestic violence charges—often resulting in dismissal, acquittal or reduced charges.
Feel free to contact us at (800) 929-0451 for a Free Case Review or schedule a consultation online.
