Riverside Criminal Defense Lawyer for Non-Citizens

When you are not a U.S. citizen living in California, a criminal arrest is a threat to the life you’ve built in this country. Even a minor misdemeanor can affect your family and impact your path to citizenship. Fortunately, you can contact a Riverside criminal defense lawyer for non-citizens to protect your future. At Arsany & Barraza, Attorneys at Law, we provide strong representation and help make sure one mistake today doesn’t cost you your home tomorrow.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

At Arsany & Barraza, Attorneys at Law, we provide a powerhouse criminal defense for people facing their toughest legal battles. Founded by Arsany Said and Alejandro Barraza, our firm serves Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, and Los Angeles with a blend of elite legal skill and relentless advocacy.

We have experience in high-stakes firearm law and are routinely called on to speak on Southern California panels about conflict. We are also dedicated to the representation of veterans, immigrants, and those facing mental health challenges. We make sure every client feels valued and receives a strategic, dignified defense without judgment. We work hard to help you reclaim your future.

Regardless of your citizen status, reach out to speak with a knowledgeable Riverside attorney right away. We are here to schedule your initial meeting.

Defending Non-Citizens Facing Criminal Charges

With roughly 47.8 million immigrants making up 14.3 percent of the national population, the impact of immigration policy is deeply personal to many Californians. In Riverside, where 25.1 percent of our neighbors are foreign-born, any legislation or immigration-based rulings can cause immediate trauma to our community.

In our state, you have a right to know how a criminal case may impact your immigration status. Defending a non-citizen involves an intersection of criminal law and immigration referred to as crimmigration. Since a criminal conviction can trigger a mandatory immigration, a permanent bar from reentry into the country, or a denial of citizenship, California law requires specific duties of its attorneys, state prosecutors, and the courts.

• Duties of defense attorneys. Defense attorneys have a constitutional and statutory duty to proactively ask about a client’s immigration status, give specific, accurate advice about how a plea or conviction can impact that specific client’s immigration status, and actively try to negotiate in a way to avoid or minimize immigration harm, when consistent with the client’s goals.
• Obligations of state prosecutors. Prosecutors must consider how to avoid immigration consequences as one factor in plea negotiations to reach a just resolution.
• Obligations of the court. The judge must read a warning stating that a conviction may lead to deportation, exclusion, or the denial of naturalization before any guilty or no contest plea.

Defense Strategies

A general defense is not enough with a crimmigration defense. At Arsany & Barraza, Attorneys at Law, we can build a strong defense to protect your future. As part of our work, we can avoid triggering federal immigration penalties. Some of the consequences of a conviction include:

• Deportation. Certain convictions can lead to mandatory removal and a permanent bar from the U.S.
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) consequences. If an individual poses a threat to public safety, they may be denied DACA without a disqualifying conviction.
• Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. A criminal conviction may lead to the denial of a U.S. citizenship application.

When your residency is at risk, you need an attorney’s assistance. Call our office to discuss immigration-safe plea bargains and post-conviction relief. We’re here to advocate for you and your family and mitigate the potential consequences you could face. Reach out to learn more today.

FAQs

Q: Do Non-Citizens Have the Right to an Attorney?

A: Whether a non-citizen has a right to an attorney depends on whether they are in criminal or immigration court in California. If someone is arrested for a crime, they have the same constitutional right to an attorney as a citizen. Call a lawyer to discuss building your defense. Immigration is considered a civil issue, so you have the right to be represented, but you must pay for an attorney yourself. You have the right to counsel if detained by ICE.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A: It’s hard to give reliable information about the cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer because each lawyer sets their own fees. However, most lawyers base their rates on their experience level and the amount of time they anticipate your specific case taking. If you’re considering hiring a certain lawyer, ask them about their attorney’s fees. That way, there won’t be any surprises when it comes time to pay your bill.

Q: Do I Have to Hire a Lawyer If I’ve Been Arrested?

A: You do not have to hire a lawyer if you’ve been arrested in California. Under the Sixth Amendment, you can represent yourself. However, many people find it difficult to represent themselves in a criminal case, especially if they’re also dealing with immigration issues simultaneously. It’s hard to remain objective when your own freedom is at stake. Defense attorneys rely on their experience to secure a successful case outcome.

Q: Can an Immigrant be Deported if They are a U.S. Citizen and Are Convicted of a Crime?

A: U.S. citizens cannot be legally deported regardless of their criminal convictions. Citizenship is a protection that makes people immune to the deportation process. There are some critical distinctions based on how citizenship was obtained that are worth discussing with a knowledgeable attorney. If you have questions about deportation, immigration, and criminal defense, contact a Riverside attorney.

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Riverside Criminal Defense Lawyer for Non-Citizens

If you or a loved one needs to hire a criminal defense lawyer, connect with the team at Arsany & Barraza, Attorneys at Law, right away. We help people with their important legal issues, and we’re here to advocate aggressively on your behalf. We entered this career to guide people through their darkest moments. That’s what we show up to do every single day. Hablamos Español.

Contact us to schedule your initial meeting and let our knowledge and experience go to work alongside you.