Criminal Defense
Top-Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers
Have you been charged with a crime? Richard Herman and his team of aggressive defense lawyers have a deep understanding of criminal law as well as immigration law. Our attorneys have years of experience handling all types of criminal defense cases and we pride ourselves on being advocates of the immigrant community. We are well versed in 12 languages, including Spanish, Arabic and Russian. Our ability to speak fluently with our clients give us an edge in accurately communicating all facts and obtaining favorable plea agreements and trial outcomes.
Whether you are searching for a DUI lawyer in Detroit or a criminal defense attorney in Cleveland, rest assured that Herman Legal Group takes all criminal immigration cases very seriously. We work tirelessly to defend our clients, knowing any conviction could greatly impact their lives and their immigration status in the United States.
DUI Defense
If you are pulled over and charged with a DUI (also known as OVI or OWI), you are probably understandably concerned about the possible consequences you could face. They can be very serious. A conviction of this type, or multiple convictions, can result in:
- A mandatory jail sentence (in Ohio)
- Significant fines, up to $10,000 for multiple offenses
- License suspension
- Ignition Interlock Device installed on your vehicle
- Personal and employment consequences, including loss or suspension of professional licenses
- Confiscation of your vehicle
- Mandatory alcohol treatment
However, with the guidance of an experienced immigration defense attorney, you may be able to limit or avoid the most serious of these penalties.
Every situation is different and how we fight your case will depend on our review of your specific facts. For example, some strategies that have been successful for our clients include:
- Challenging the legality of the initial stop to see if it violated
your Constitutional rights - Reviewing the police report for any factual discrepancies
- Disputing the validity of the breathalyzer or field sobriety tests
The officer has the duty to prove they have followed the proper legal procedures to ensure a violation of the law has occurred. Although police make approximately 1.5 million DUI arrests each year nationwide, we have experience in successfully defending DUI charges for our clients in both Ohio and Michigan.
Since a DUI charge can have serious consequences on your legal status, employment, and social relationships, we recommend that you speak to an attorney with experience in defending these cases. For a consultation, call +1-216-696-6170.
Criminal Charges Can Have Serious Immigration Consequences
A non-U.S. citizen convicted of certain criminal offenses could be at risk of serious immigration consequences, including removal or deportation. These consequences can apply even if the person is a green card holder!
Various felonies will trigger an immigration response, but it may surprise you to learn that other crimes, including petty misdemeanors, may also put you at risk of deportation, including:
- Theft
- Domestic violence
- Fraud (including forgery of checks or identity documents)
- Drug-related offenses
- Crimes of moral turpitude
- Two or more convictions of any type
You are considered to have a criminal conviction any time that a plea of guilty or nolo contendre was found by a judge, jury, or entered voluntarily (perhaps on the advice of your lawyer or through a plea bargain). Receiving a lenient sentence based on entering a plea does not help once ICE (U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement) becomes involved.
Because immigration is a very complex area of the law, unfortunately, many defense attorneys are not well educated on these risks.
Long-Lasting Effects
Depending on your status at the time you entered the U.S., a conviction could haunt you five or even ten years later. In addition, even if ICE did not initiate removal proceedings during that time, any crime of moral turpitude can prevent you from proving the “good moral character” necessary to gain citizenship later. Disconcertingly, which offenses qualify as crimes of moral turpitude are not defined by law and will be argued in each case.
If you already have a criminal conviction in your past, you may be able to overcome it if you were not properly advised on the potential immigration consequences by your attorney or by the judge at the time of the case.
If you are currently facing a criminal charge and are not a U.S. citizen, we suggest you consult with an attorney that is experienced in both criminal defense and immigration matters to provide you with the best advice. Because we pride ourselves on being the Law Firm for Immigrants, we are committed to assisting our clients with ALL their legal matters, now and in the future. Contact Herman Legal Group to discuss your criminal matters with a professional, dedicated and aggressive attorney.
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