Coming to Texas from another country may have been a goal of yours since you were a child. You may have believed that coming to the United States would allow you to build a better life, and for a time, you may have found that life. Now, you face a difficult situation because authorities have charged you with a crime.
Along with worrying about your criminal case, you likely also have concerns about how the charges and a possible conviction will affect your immigration status. If the crime of which authorities have accused you falls into the category of a felony, you face a serious predicament.
Felony charges and deportation
If you hold a visa or green card that allows you to live in the United States, a felony or even non-felony conviction could result in a downgrade to your immigration status. The exact outcome could depend on the facts of the case, your current immigration status and the type of offense allegedly committed. If you are a non-citizen, you could find yourself in a very precarious situation if authorities suspect you committed an aggravated felony.
Though aggravated felonies typically include more severe crimes, they could also include lesser offenses in relation to immigration cases. Unfortunately, if you are a non-citizen and the court convicts you of an aggravated felony, deportation is likely, and you may also lose the ability to return to the United States later.
Possible offenses
When some people thinking of aggravated felonies, crimes like murder and drug trafficking may immediately come to mind. However, in immigration-related cases, the following offenses could also fall into this category:
- Failure to appear in court
- Theft
- Simple battery
- Filing a fraudulent tax return
Of course, aggravated felonies go beyond those listed here.
Creating a defense
Before facing serious consequences, the court must convict you of the charges you face. Fortunately, you can create and present a criminal defense in efforts to work toward the best possible outcomes for your case. Because a lot hinges on the outcomes of the case, you undoubtedly want to put your best foot forward in this endeavor. Working with a Texas attorney experienced in immigration and criminal law may prove useful to you. Though you understandably feel overwhelmed by your predicament, you do not have to feel without hope.