Criminal Defense of Immigrants

During the process of entry of a plea, it is very important for the defendant to avoid making any factual admissions that could cause immigration damage if they are introduced against him during later immigration proceedings.  Any oral or written statements of fact made by the defendant are included within the “record of conviction” that can sometimes be consulted by the immigration authorities to determine the nature of the conviction in assessing whether it triggers deportation, inadmissibility, or other damaging immigration consequences.  See § § 8.63-8.67, 16.24, 18.8, infra.  The same holds true for at least some statements made by defense counsel.