Boston Criminal Lawyers Blog
In circumstances where criminal defendants, for whatever reason, elect to change their plea to guilty, the attorney must ensure that the client understands the full panoply of potential consequences that might result. One of the issues that must always be addressed before any change of plea is ensuring that the client, if he is not a citizen, understands the potential consequences of deportation of a conviction.
A conviction for many crimes may lead to deportation, removal from the country, or denial of re-entry, and it is the attorney’s duty to inform the client if the offense for which he pleads guilty to would result in removal. Following certain amendments to the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, if a non-citizen commits a removable offense, his removal is essentially inevitable, with a few exceptions.
Where a client elects to plead guilty to those removal offenses, simply advising the client that he is “eligible for deportation” or that he would “face deportation” is not enough.
Rather, the attorney must convey in some way that the plea to guilty and accepting the conviction for whichever removable offense would satisfy the conditions for removal and, under federal law, there would be virtually no avenue for discretionary relief once that fact came to the attention of immigration officials. In other words, the attorney must provide the client with accurate advice about any deportation consequences of change his plea to guilty.
Persons who are non-U.S. citizens and charged with any criminal offense should be proactive and inquire of their attorney what, if any, potential deportation or removal consequences may result should they either change their plea to guilty or be found guilty after trial. Knowing the potential immigration consequences is not only critical in ensuring that you are aware and understand all of your rights and consequences, but the information might also sway your decision whether to proceed to trial or seek a plea bargain on perhaps, reduced and non-deportable offenses.
Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis is available 24/7 for consultation on all Massachusetts criminal charges.
Contact Attorney Lefteris K. Travayiakis to schedule a Free Consultation or call 617-325-9500.