Criminal Defense of Immigrants

Avoiding a conviction entirely is one method of avoiding deportation on account of a conviction-based ground of deportation.  The following dispositions do not constitute convictions for immigration purposes, and therefore do not trigger deportation under any conviction-based ground of deportation.  Since they are not considered convictions, they do not establish that the client committed certain conduct, and therefore do not provide evidence that might trigger a conduct-based ground of deportation.

(A)          Juvenile delinquency finding.  See § § 7.23, 12.20-12.37, infra. 

(B)          Acquittal.  See § 7.28, infra.

(C)          Dismissal before conviction.  See § 7.29, infra

(D)          Deferred prosecution.  See § 7.30, infra.

(E)           Deferred verdict.  See § 7.31, infra.

(F)           Deferred sentence.  See § 7.32, infra

(G)          Convictions that are not final.  See § 7.37, infra.[46]

(H)          Judicial Recommendations Against Deportation.  See § 7.41, infra.

(I)            Executive Pardons.  See § 7.42, infra.

(J)            State rehabilitative relief.  See § 7.43, infra.

(K)          Convictions vacated as legally invalid.  See § 7.44, infra.

(L)           Sentences eliminated by post-conviction relief.  See § 7.45, infra.

(M)         Convictions by court without jurisdiction.  See § 7.34, infra.

(N)          Convictions in absentia.  See § 7.35, infra.

[46] Note that this rule is not recognized in all circuits.