Updates to criminal defense

CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE - DRIVING OFFENSES - HIT AND RUN

Garcia-Maldonado v. Gonzales, 491 F.3d 284 (5th Cir. Jun. 29, 2007) (Texas conviction of failure to stop and render aid under Texas Transportation Code 550.021 is a CMT for immigration purposes; "subsection of section 550.21 that criminalizes failure to render aid proscribes behavior that runs contrary to accepted societal duties.")



NOTE: The statute of conviction does not require any intent. The court seems to imply a knowledge element, but does not cite any statutory language or cases that require knowledge.

jurisdiction: 
Fifth Circuit

CONVICTION - FINALITY

Garcia-Maldonado v. Gonzales, 491 F.3d 284 (5th Cir. Jun. 29, 2007) (even if the conviction is on direct appeal, the conviction remained a conviction for immigration purposes under Fifth Circuit controlling precedent), following Discipio v. Ashcroft, 369 F.3d 472 (5th Cir. 2004), vacated on denial of rehearing en banc by Discipio v. Ashcroft, 417 F.3d 448 (5th Cir. 2005).

jurisdiction: 
Fifth Circuit

POST-CON RELIEF - EFFECTIVE VACATUR - FIFTH CIRCUIT

Garcia-Maldonado v. Gonzales, 491 F.3d 284 (5th Cir. Jun. 29, 2007) (court recognizes the DHS will follow Pickering even in the Fifth Circuit: "we vacated the Discipio I opinion because the Government modified its position and terminated deportation proceedings against Discipio because his conviction had been vacated on procedural and substantive defects, the Government bowing to the BIA's opinion in In re Pickering.FN10 See Discipio II, 417 F.3d at 449-50.")

jurisdiction: 
Fifth Circuit

JUDICIAL REVIEW - CODES OF CONDUCT FOR IJ AND BIA

"The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is proposing newly formulated Codes of Conduct for the immigration judges of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge and for the Board members of the Board of Immigration Appeals. EOIR is seeking public comment on the codes before final publication. ... Comments may be submitted not later than July 30, 2007." FR, June 28, 2007.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo...

jurisdiction: 
Other

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - INADMISSIBILITY - SOLICITATION TO COMMIT A DRUG OFFENSE IS A CONVICTION RELATING TO A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Mizrahi v. Gonzales, 492 F.3d 156 (2d Cir. Jun. 27, 2007) (New York conviction for fourth-degree solicitation to sell drugs in violation of the state's generic solicitation statute, N.Y. Penal Law 100.05(1), constituted a conviction relating to a controlled substance, and rendered him inadmissible to the United States pursuant to INA 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II)).

jurisdiction: 
Second Circuit

DIVISIBLE STATUTE ANALYSIS - CONJUNCTIVE CHARGING

Kitchens v. State, 823 S.W.2d 256, 258 (Texas. Crim. App. 1991) (conjunctive pleading represents an alternative pleading of the differing methods of committing one offense" and allows the jury to return "a general verdict if the evidence is sufficient to support a finding under any of the theories submitted"). See also Omari v. Gonzales, 419 F.3d 303 (5th Cir.

jurisdiction: 
Lower Courts of Fifth Circuit

IMMIGRATION OFFENSES - ALIEN SMUGGLING - CONTINUING OFFENSE TERMINATES WHEN SMUGGLER DROPS THE NONCITIZEN OFF AT A LOCATION WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

United States v. Lopez, 484 F.3d 1186 (9th Cir. May 7, 2007) (bringing a noncitizen to the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(2), is a continuing offense that terminates when the initial transporter who brings the alien to the United States drops off the person at a location in this country), overruling United States v. Ramirez-Martinez, 273 F.3d 903, and United States v. Angwin, 271 F.3d 786.

jurisdiction: 
Ninth Circuit

JUVENILE - ADJUDICATION REVERSED FOR DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FJDA TO IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION AND PROMPT ARRAIGNMENT, AND TO THE RIGHT TO ADVISE FROM RESPONSIBLE ADULT PRIOR TO INTERROGATION REQUIRING SUPPRESSION OF C

United States v. C.M., 485 F.3d 492 (9th Cir. May 8, 2007) (adjudication of delinquency of a juvenile Mexican national for transporting illegal aliens and related counts is reversed, and the juvenile information dismissed, where the juvenile was deprived of his rights under the Juvenile Delinquency Act to immediate notification and prompt arraignment, and to the advice and counsel of a responsible adult prior to interrogation; and a resulting confession was highly prejudicial and should not have been used against him to initiate his proceedings).

jurisdiction: 
Ninth Circuit

AGGRAVATED FELONYMANSLAUGHTER - 18 U.S.C. 16(a) - MINNESOTA CONVICTION FOR SECOND-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER NOT A COV SINCE NO ELEMENT OF USE OF FORCE

United States v. Torres-Villalobos, 487 F.3d 607, ___, (8th Cir. May 9, 2007) (Minnesota conviction for second-degree manslaughter, in violation of Minn.Stat. 609.205, did not qualify as crime of violence, under 18 U.S.C. 16(a), and is therefore not an "aggravated felony," under INA 101(a)(43)(F), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)(F), since it does not have as an essential element the intentional use of force: "Under Minnesota law, a person can commit second-degree manslaughter without using force or risking the intentional use of force. Minn.Stat. 609.205.

jurisdiction: 
Eighth Circuit

AGGRAVATED FELONY - CRIME OF VIOLENCE - 18 U.S.C. 16(b) - SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF CAUSING PHYSICAL INJURY INSUFFICIENT

United States v. Torres-Villalobos, 487 F.3d 607, ___ n.4, (8th Cir. May 9, 2007) ("substantial risk" test for crime of violence, under 18 U.S.C. 16(b), is not met by substantial risk of causing physical injury; it requires ignoring "the [substantial] risk that the use of physical force against another might be required in committing a crime."), quoting Leocal v. Ashcroft, 543 U.S. 1, 10 (2004) (emphasis added); see also United States v. Hudson, 414 F.3d 931, 935 (8th Cir.2005), cert. denied, 126 S.Ct. 1769 (2006); compare United States v.

jurisdiction: 
Eighth Circuit

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