A Nashville Immigration Lawyer Providing Criminal Defense Services
Facing charges of a criminal offense in Tennessee can cause a lot of anxiety and worry, especially if you are an immigrant who may face deportation if you are convicted. Maniatis Law PLLC, based in Nashville, can assist you by explaining your legal and constitutional rights, potential defenses, minimum and maximum penalties, and the likely outcome of your case.
Nashville criminal defense attorney Matt Maniatis assists a wide range of clients against criminal charges, including but not limited to:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- No driver’s license; suspended/revoked license
- Domestic violence and violation of orders of protection
- Drug charges
- Assault
- Theft
- Robbery
- Firearms offenses
- Kidnapping
- Prostitution
Attorney Maniatis and his team will thoroughly review your case to help you form the strongest defense possible, as well as reviewing all arrests, warrants and affidavits to ensure they conform with the law. Thoroughness can ensure a satisfactory plea deal can be worked out with the prosecutor, or that the charges against you can be disproven during a trial.
Make Sure You Understand Your Rights And Immigration Consequences
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, every criminal allegation brought against you will have an impact on your immigration status, both current and future. As an experienced immigration criminal defense attorney in Nashville, Matt Maniatis can explain the full immigration consequences of any conviction, including whether you may be deported and how it may affect your future ability to enter the United States or receive immigration benefits.
Even if you are a permanent resident of the United States, you may still face deportation if you are convicted of a crime. Never plead guilty or no contest to any criminal charge without seeking counsel from an experienced immigration attorney.
The United States Supreme Court in Padilla v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356 (2010), held that all criminal defense attorneys must advise noncitizen clients about the deportation risks of a guilty plea. Make sure your attorneys know how to advise you of the immigration consequences of a conviction.
What Happens If A Non-U.S. Citizen Commits A Crime?
While anyone in the United States can face serious consequences after committing a crime, immigrants and visa holders can have their plans completely derailed. When a non-citizen is convicted of an aggravated felony or a crime of moral turpitude, they may face deportation and be unable to return to the United States.
Aggravated felonies include violent crimes with a prison sentence of a year or more, fraud, failing to appear in court, sexual abuse, drug trafficking and conspiracy. Crimes of moral turpitude include fraud, child abuse, tax evasion and perjury. If you face criminal charges, you need to contact an experienced immigration and criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to get started on your defense.
Will You Get Deported If You Go To Jail?
Once an immigrant or visa holder completes their jail sentence, ICE can detain and deport them. However, not all crimes are deportable offenses. Generally, if the crime is violent and carries a prison sentence of one year or more, you will face deportation.
Hire A Nashville Criminal Defense Attorney Who Knows Immigration Law
Whether you are a lawful permanent resident, a foreign-citizen visitor or present in the country without any papers, defense attorney Maniatis can assist you by advising you on:
- Deportation consequences
- Future admission into the United States
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds and bonds
- Immigration detention after your state charges are disposed/completed
- Potential remedies in immigration court
If You Were Convicted Without Being Advised On Immigration Consequences, Act Fast. A Lawyer May Be Able To Help!
If you plead guilty to a criminal offense and your previous defense attorney did not advise you on the immigration consequences, your conviction may be overturned. You will need to file a petition for post-conviction relief arguing that you received “ineffective assistance of counsel.” Maniatis Law PLLC, can assist you in filing such a petition and preparing you for court. If it is proven to the court that (1) your lawyers failed to advise you on the immigration consequences of your guilty plea, and (2) you were prejudiced by the lack of your attorney’s advice, your conviction may be overturned.
Contact Maniatis Law PLLC | Nashville Immigration And Criminal Defense Attorney
Nashville defense lawyer Maniatis strives to provide excellent representation and to keep you fully informed about the consequences of your actions so you can make a fully knowledgeable decision. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or need an experienced immigration criminal defense attorney by your side, you can trust him to fight for you.
For more information, contact the Nashville office online or by calling 615-988-1441. Attorney Maniatis and his team are fluent in Spanish and English to best serve you.