Criminal Defense of Immigrants

(B)  Minimizing the seriousness of the offense of conviction, i.e., minimizing the maximum possible sentence for the offense, as well as any statutory minimum sentence that must be imposed.  While it is very rare for the court to impose the maximum as the initial sentence, achieving this goal has the effect of minimizing the potential sentence in the event of a probation or parole violation.  A number of immigration consequences also depend on the maximum possible length of a sentence of imprisonment that can be imposed on account of a conviction.  See § § 5.29, 10.56-10.60, infra.