CRIMINAL LAW IN FLORIDA
Being arrested is always distressing, and can cause great harm to anyone’s future. Jobs, marriages, and mortgages may be lost when someone is arrested and jailed for felonies or serious misdemeanors.
Naturalization, Immigration, and Crime: Status Challenges
Foreign visitors or immigrants face even greater problems when they are arrested on charges such as DUI or assault. If you are a non-citizen dealing with criminal charges, have your case reviewed by a knowledgeable naturalization and immigration lawyer such as Alma Defillo at the Law Offices of Alma Defillo in Jacksonville, Florida. Whether your case is in Florida, another state, or outside the US, contact the Law Offices of Alma Defillo though this Web site or by phone to schedule a consultation.
Crimes such as DUI or vehicular manslaughter may have devastating consequences on immigrants. Convictions can cause visa holders or non-US citizen permanent residents to lose their immigration status, and lose their chance to become citizens through naturalization.
If you are not a US citizen and are facing criminal charges, ask your defense lawyer to contact an immigration lawyer before you go to court.
Defense attorneys working with foreign visitors or immigrants whose criminal records may affect their change at naturalization or harm their visa status are urged to contact Alma Defillo. If your client has been arrested for any serious misdemeanor or felony in the US, please do not make final decisions about how to plead before consulting with Alma.
Practicing as both a criminal lawyer and U.S. immigration attorney Alma Defillo has been able to avoid the problems other lawyers have who are not experienced in both immigration and criminal law and procedure. As a criminal defense attorney, she is able to avoid convictions which have immigration consequences. As an immigration lawyer, she emphasizes obtaining post conviction relief for clients by filing motions to modify, reduce, dismiss and expunge their convictions. By doing this, she can eliminate the basis upon which removal proceedings are based. If you are a non-citizen facing prosecution in state court, U.S. federal court, or in U.S. Immigration Court, then you will want an experienced Jacksonville criminal defense attorney and U.S. immigration lawyer to handle your case.
If you or someone you care about is under suspicion or has been arrested or charged with state or federal criminal charges, whether the case involves a felony or a lesser offense, it is important that you seek the advice of a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney before making any statement or responding to questions from police, investigators, or prosecutors.
At the Law Offices of Alma C. Defillo, our lawyers know the laws and know the facts and know the evidence. We make a point to know more than the opposition knows. With our knowledge of both criminal law and immigration law we understand the full impact the case may have on your life. Often, we can get a case dismissed by demonstrating that the state lacks the evidence necessary to prove its case against our client, or that due to improper procedures have been used.
The current penalties and consequences of a criminal conviction(s) in either state or federal courts, even for a first offense, are substantial. My first priority in defending my clients is to avoid and eliminate convictions, especially those having adverse immigration consequences.
White Collar Crime / Fraud
Defense against white collar crime charges requires knowledge of federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, ATF, DEA and ICE as well as administrative agencies such as the IRS and Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). We can handle your case against all types of federal and state white collar charges stemming from these and other agencies.
DUI / DWI
Our firm knows that people who are accused of drunk driving and DUI are worried about losing their license or driving privilege, their employment, or even their freedom. We know that when this happens people need quick and clear answers to their legal questions. We also often arrange for a bail bond to be posted, or fight for a bail reduction to release your loved one, so that we can defend the case with the client free while we work to defend the case.
Because we know the consequences you are facing, our knowledgeable Florida criminal defense lawyers are not afraid to challenge the police and prosecutor’s version of the facts in your DUI case.
Domestic Violence/ Abuse
Domestic violence is a very serious problem. Each year thousands of domestic violence cases are filed. While most of the cases have merit, there are many instances where defendants are falsely accused. Persons who are falsely accused of domestic violence face severe legal consequences. A court can evict a defendant from his or her home. A domestic violence complaint can lead to heavy fines, counsel fees, and money damages. Moreover, child custody, child support, alimony, and other forms of emergent relief can be addressed in a domestic violence (DV) case.
Under Florida law, a person who is arrested for domestic violence can be charged with battery, assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or certain kinds of sexual abuse. The accused must also be held in jail without bond until he or she speaks with a judge. A conviction for a DV charge can haunt a person for life. Therefore, because the stakes are so high, it is imperative that a zealous defense is mounted against a DV charge.
Any non-citizen who, at any time after admission into the United States, is convicted of a crime of domestic violence or stalking is deportable. You are right to worry about your immigration status if you have been accused of violent actions against your wife, husband, or domestic partner.