Los Angeles Immigration Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal Defense for Immigrants in Los Angeles & the Bay Area

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Being arrested for a crime is already a stressful experience. If you are an immigrant in the U.S., the threat of deportation makes the situation even more difficult. The Los Angeles immigration criminal defense lawyers at the Law Firm of Anish Vashistha, APLC are committed to helping immigrants maintain their visas or green cards.

We understand how criminal law and immigration law relate to each other and can defend your innocence while also fighting to keep you in the country.

What Crimes Put Me at Risk for Deportation?

One critical thing to keep in mind when you are facing criminal charges is that you have more to lose than an American citizen facing the same charges. Criminal defense attorneys often arrange plea deals and reduced charges for their clients, and while these may help someone avoid jail time it is still a guilty verdict which could put an immigrant at risk for deportation.

This is why it is important to hire a lawyer who knows how "inadmissible crime" and "deportable crimes" can impact your immigration status.

Not all criminal convictions can put you at risk for deportation. The following types of crimes could threaten your immigration status and make you inadmissible:

• Crimes of “moral turpitude”
• Drug crimes (with the exception of minor marijuana-related charges)
• Firearm (gun) offenses
• Domestic violence
• Aggravated felonies (murder, rape, felony theft, etc.)

Being "inadmissible" means that you will not be able to benefit from U.S. immigration authorities such adjustment of status, re-entry to the U.S. after leaving, applying for citizenship, or applying for permanent residence.

What are Moral Turpitude Crimes

Moral turpitude crimes are the broadest category of deportation crimes. There is no singular definition for these crimes, meaning courts are often left to interpret if a crime constitutes moral turpitude on their own. Crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, or harmful antisocial behavior such as repeated DUI offenses are often classified as moral turpitude crimes.

We Can Protect Your Immigration Status

Not only can a criminal conviction get you deported, it can also permanently bar your eligibility for citizenship and even prevent you from ever re-entering the country. Our criminal defense immigration lawyers in Los Angeles and the Bay Area know how much is at stake here. We spare no effort to protect our clients from the serious consequences of a criminal conviction.