Criminal Defense of Immigrants

(C)  Minimizing Other Collateral Consequences.  Even though they are considered “collateral,” and the court is not obligated to inform the defendant of them at the time of plea to take a valid plea, competent defense counsel will always attempt to minimize not only the collateral immigration consequences of a conviction but also all other collateral consequences of a conviction that are of importance to the client.  As Professor Amsterdam has stated, counsel must in every case research “the possible consequences of a conviction” including: