An accusation of domestic violence can carry with it some very serious consequences, particularly if you are a legal immigrant. One of the potential outcomes of a domestic violence conviction for a legal immigrant is deportation, which makes it especially important for immigrants to seek strong legal representation if they find themselves accused of such crimes.
In fact, domestic violence charges are particularly dangerous for immigrants, as they can trigger deportation hearings in any of three different ways. For one, a conviction for domestic violence is itself a ground for deportation, and secondly they fall under the category of “crimes involving moral turpitude.” Thirdly, they may be classified as aggravated felonies. All three of these circumstances are enough to warrant possible deportation.
First offenders convicted of domestic violence tend to face the following criminal penalties:
If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is of critical importance to reach out to a skilled criminal defense lawyer. An attorney works to either dismiss the charge outright, or reduce the charge to a level that minimizes the penalties associated with a conviction as well as reduce the risk of possible deportation. As an immigrant facing a domestic violence charge, having adequate legal representation can mean the difference between maintaining stability for you and your family in America and being deported. Don’t take chances with the court system by yourself — contact a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.