If you are facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania, you should be aware that certain pleas or convictions in criminal cases may expose you to deportation and removal proceedings. Even if you are a lawful permanent resident, conviction for some crimes may result in the government’s taking action to rescind your green card.
It is vitally important for you to understand the potential immigration consequences you might face before you agree to any plea offer. People often benefit by seeking help from an immigration attorney before proceeding in any criminal case.
You should be aware of the rights that you do have when you are facing criminal charges. One of the important rights is your right to remain silent. You may want to exercise that right until you have been able to consult with someone who understands both immigration and criminal law, as what you say may be used against you in your criminal case. If you have already been convicted or pleaded guilty to a crime and are now facing deportation and removal proceedings, you may be able to seek post-conviction relief, especially if you were not advised of the immigration consequences you would potentially face.
At the Law Office of Law Office of Troy J. Mattes, P.C., our staff are experienced with helping clients who are facing criminal charges along with the possibility of immigration consequences. We regularly advise our clients regarding the possible deportation related to a proposed plea offer, and we help those who have already been convicted with filing for post-conviction relief. The possible penalties for people who are facing criminal cases along with the potential for deportation are especially severe, and we understand our clients often have many questions. If you would like to learn more about your case, you may want to read our consequences of criminal pleas page.