West Virginia Immigration Criminal Deportation Lawyer

West Virginia Immigration Criminal Deportation Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, it can be a terrifying situation. Suddenly, you have to think about the endless implications for your future. From jail time, costly fines, and changes to your employment and immigration status to the prospect of a criminal record following you, there is a lot to be concerned about. If you are facing criminal deportation in West Virginia, you need to get in touch with a West Virginia immigration criminal deportation lawyer as soon as you possibly can.

At Meadows Law Office, I know how scary it can be to be facing deportation on criminal charges. Leaving behind the life you’ve built in the United States can be incredibly daunting and unfair, especially if you have children or other family members who will remain here. You might feel as if your life, as you know it, is falling apart and that legal and governmental officials are against you, but there is hope.

I have years of experience standing up for West Virginia residents who have been accused of crimes and who are facing immigration implications as a result. I can help you determine your legal options going forward and help advocate for you to maintain your status in this country.

What Is Criminal Deportation?

If you are found guilty of a serious crime in the United States and are not a citizen, you might have to face implications for your immigration status. For example, in West Virginia, if you are found guilty of any of the following crimes, you might have to worry about changes to your immigration status:

• Fraud: In any situation in which you provide false information to deceive people for personal gain, you are committing fraud. Depending on how much money you take from people or the severity of your actions, you could face penalties that include deportation. Taking things that are worth more money or using a weapon while committing the crime will increase your chances of being deported.
• Theft: Theft can range from small shoplifting offenses to large, orchestrated robberies. For U.S. citizens, smaller instances might only include small consequences, but any instance of theft can be risky if you are not a citizen.
• Drug Trafficking: If you manufacture, possess, sell, or distribute drugs in any way, you could be risking your standing in this country. Of course, the impacts on your immigration status will depend on a myriad of factors, like what substances you trafficked and how much.
• Domestic Violence: Violence against people in your household is an incredibly serious offense, but unfortunately, it is a common one. Even if you have been falsely accused or were involved in an accident, you might find yourself found guilty and faced with a ticket out of the country.
• Sexual Assault: In most cases, you will be looking at felony charges if you are charged with sexual assault. This can seriously jeopardize your immigration status, so you need to get in touch with a legal professional to defend you right away.
• Offenses With Firearms: The United States has all kinds of rules and regulations surrounding the possession and use of firearms. They vary based on where you are, so it is important to understand your rights. If you are charged with an offense involving a firearm, you can anticipate facing serious consequences.
• Violent Crimes: Any kind of crime in which your actions cause someone else to be harmed or killed, you can expect serious implications for your immigration status. These include assault, battery, violent robbery, murder, and more.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): If you are found guilty of operating your vehicle under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs, you will face DUI penalties that correspond with the factors of your case.

For instance, if it was your first offense ever and you had a low blood alcohol content (BAC), your punishment will be lower than someone who has been convicted of three previous DUIs in the past ten years and hurt someone as a result of driving their car while drunk. However, you should keep in mind that if you are not a U.S. citizen, even your first offense could hold a great weight in terms of your residency status in the country.

• Aggravated DUI: If you have had prior DUI offenses, have a high BAC on your first offense, or engage in reckless behavior that results in harm to another person, you can expect to be charged with an aggravated DUI, which has harsh consequences regardless of your citizenship status.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you find yourself charged with an aggravated DUI, you should get in contact with a U.S. immigration lawyer to consider the impacts on your residency status.

• DUI With Wrongful Death: In the event that you are intoxicated while driving a vehicle on the road and another person dies as a result of your actions, you should expect the harshest penalties for a DUI.
• Child Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment: There are all sorts of crimes involving children that can result in threats to your immigration status. For example, failing to enroll children in school, clothe them, feed them, and provide them with proper medical and sanitary care can all result in criminal charges.

On top of this, proven physical or emotional abuse can also result in penalties, including a threat to your immigration status, as can leaving them unsupervised and prone to dangerous situations.

It is important to bear in mind that while most of the crimes that are likely to have a major impact on your immigration status are felonies, you could still see consequences from misdemeanor convictions, depending on what they are.

Your lawyer can help you understand what the implications of your situation are for your immigration status. While some crimes might have minimal consequences for U.S. citizens, those same crimes could shatter your immigration status as you know it.

Will I Be Deported for a Criminal Offense?

The impact of a criminal conviction on your immigration status will depend on the unique factors at play in your case, like what your crime was and what your immigration situation is. For example, if you are an asylum seeker who is looking for a home from persecution, a criminal conviction can have a negative impact on your asylum claim.

In order to have a successful asylum claim, you need to prove that you are a credible, upstanding citizen, and criminal charges can tarnish your reputation. If you have any of the following immigration statuses, you may also be at risk of deportation, depending on your circumstances:

• You have permanent residency (green card)
• You are an asylum seeker
• You have a visa
• You are a DACA recipient
• You are a temporary resident

What Is a Criminal Deportation Lawyer?

When you hire a criminal deportation lawyer, your attorney will focus on the implications of your criminal charges or criminal conviction on your immigration status. Whether you are facing serious charges or you have been convicted and are frightened about the changes in your immigration status, your lawyer can help review the circumstances you are facing and what your legal options are going forward.

How Much Does a U.S. Immigration Lawyer Charge?

The amount that you are going to have to invest in paying for a U.S. immigration lawyer will depend on a lot of factors. For instance, you can expect all of the following factors to play a role:

• The Details of Your Case: The amount of research and work that a lawyer will have to put into your case will almost always influence how much you have to pay. For instance, several lawyers charge by the hour, and the more hours that they have to put into your case, the more you can expect to owe.
• Your Lawyer’s Experience: When an immigration attorney has been practicing for a long time, you might find that their fees are higher than newer attorneys because they have a longer proven track record of success.
• Your Lawyer’s Reputation: When your lawyer has a proven record of success and is trusted by your community, they might charge more for their impactful services. It is always in your interest to invest in the services of someone who has a positive reputation for helping people in your situation.

How Can a Criminal Deportation Lawyer Help?

A criminal deportation lawyer is one of the most important assets to have on your side if you are looking at deportation charges. Your attorney can help you with all of the following steps and more:

• Review Your Situation: If you are unsure about the implications of your situation for your immigration status, your lawyer can help you understand them. Often, when it comes to immigration, the processes and requirements are not quite black and white. Your lawyer can help sort through the facts of the matter, dissect any confusing legal jargon, and ensure you understand what lies ahead of you.
• Craft a Legal Plan: Once it is clear what you are up against, your immigration attorney can strategically devise a strong defense strategy so you have a strong shot at being able to maintain your immigration status and stay in this country. Even if you think that your case is hopeless or if you have already been convicted, you still have options, and your lawyer can help you explore them.
• Gather Evidence: No matter how tight a spot you are in, your lawyer will weigh your legal options and determine what evidence could help persuade the court to protect your immigration status. From witness testimonies to proof that your situation was an accident and more, the list of possible effective defense strategies is longer than you might think.
• Negotiate: Never underestimate the power of a well-trained attorney’s negotiation skills. Your immigration lawyer can work their hardest to negotiate a positive outcome for your situation.
• File Appeals: If you receive a notice of deportation after a criminal conviction, then you might be panicking about what to do. If you already have a criminal deportation lawyer, then you are in luck, as your attorney will already be familiar with your case and can immediately jump into filing an appeal if you wish.

This gives you a chance to have the court reevaluate your deportation notice. If you do not already have a lawyer on your case, you should get one as soon as possible if you want to appeal the deportation notice.

• Keeping You and Your Family in the Know: If you are facing deportation, it is understandable if you and your family have questions. Whether it be about your case strategy, your potential future, or what is required of you through this process, your lawyer can ensure that you know. The right lawyer will provide you with individualized attention and compassion so you can have a sliver of peace of mind in this difficult time.

An Ardent Advocate for You and Your Family

The prospect of deportation can be terrifying. On top of worrying about your own fate and how you will handle having to abruptly leave the country you worked hard to get to, you also have your loved ones to consider.

Be it your family that lives here or your friends with whom you have built a strong community, leaving them behind is always extremely difficult. Plus, on top of everything you have to worry about leaving behind, you might be stressed about what you will do when you leave.

No matter what circumstances led to this possibility, you do not have to bear the weight of this stress alone. I have experience defending West Virginia residents facing deportation and can respectfully and critically examine your situation and advocate for your rights.

If you are facing the prospect of deportation, you cannot afford to waste any time seeking support. Every minute wasted is a minute I could be fighting to defend your right to stay in this country. Contact Meadows Law Office today to get started on building a strong defense.