If you are living in New York but are not a US citizen and are charged with any crime, immigration lawyers can quickly become some of your best allies. Immigration lawyers know that visas and green cards only provide so much protection for their holders, and the slightest misstep can lead to grave consequences. For non-citizens living in New York, the cost of being convicted of certain crimes is not just limited to severe legal penalties, but can also have a serious impact on a person’s immigration status. Committing almost any crime—however minor—of “moral turpitude” can be enough for an immigrant to be deported. Crimes of moral turpitude include theft, fraud, forgery, assault, arson, and many others. Even people who have been living legally in New York for years and have no previous criminal record may face deportation if they are merely charged with certain crimes. This is why it is wise to obtain the services of capable lawyers when you are faced with such a situation.
One of the first things lawyers will do when a New York client is faced with criminal charges is determine the impact of every possible plea deal on their client’s immigration status. Your lawyers should know whether or not the crime you are charged with is one that is likely to impact your immigration status. They should also know if a judge’s dismissal of charges would be sufficient for you to maintain residency in New York. For certain crimes—surprisingly, even some very minor ones—a dismissal may not be enough to protect a client’s resident status. It is therefore imperative that you inform your attorney of your non-citizen status during your first meeting; otherwise you might successfully avoid a conviction but still face eventual deportation as a result of simply being charged.
