Criminal Defense of Immigrants

(B)  Expert v. Local Immigration Counsel.  It is important to balance expertise in this specialty against the advantages of local counsel, who:

·  knows the personalities in the immigration courts on a daily basis and enjoys their respect;

·  knows local practice; and

·  has offices very close to the immigration court.

                On the other hand, an expert:

·  knows the arsenal of various forms of relief available in immigration court to noncitizens convicted of crimes;

·  is accustomed to cooperating with criminal and post-conviction counsel; and

·  either knows or is willing to learn the necessary criminal and post-conviction law.