PRACTICE AREA:      Immigration and Criminal Law:

                                   Immigrants Charged with a Crime

 
Even if you are a legal immigrant, you can be deported if you are involved in a crime. Even if you are not convicted.

It happens every day.

Why?  Because immigrants rely on lawyers who do not know the difference between state criminal law and Federal immigration law.

Those differences can ruin your life.

Let me give you an example.

Suppose the police find you with an ounce of marijuana. This is not enough for the state to charge you with a felony. Many lawyers would advise you to plead guilty. In exchange, the state would probably let you keep your driver's license.

But for an immigrant, this is the worst thing you could do. Under Federal Immigration law, one ounce of marijuana is a serious crime. Plead guilty in State court and the Federal Immigration Court will deport you.

If you are an immigrant charged with a crime, the most important thing you can do is pick the right lawyer.

Mitch Ignatoff has practiced criminal law for more than 20 years. His experience and training set him apart.

Mitch Ignatoff is one of only 96 Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys in all of New Jersey, and one of the state's only lawyers with a Masters degree in Trial Advocacy. He teaches other lawyers criminal defense, publishes in law journals, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Click here for more information.

Don't Give Up Hope

You can fight deportation.

If you've been charged with a crime, we fight it the same way we fight any other charges with an aggressive and knowledgeable defense. Only certain types of crimes show up on Immigration's radar. If we mount a strong defense, prosecutors might reduce the charge to something that does not have immigration consequences.

Even if you have been convicted of a crime and deportation proceedings have begun, you may have a chance if your lawyer never told you that your plea bargain could get you thrown out of the country.

In fact, you may be able to fight deportation if you never told your lawyer that you were an immigrant.

So don't give up hope.
And remember, never talk with the police or walk into a court without your lawyer.

Call Mitch Ignatoff today at 732-356-2212. 800-400-6908 or click here

The first consultation is always free. And you'll walk away with a much better understanding of where you stand.