DUI & Its Effects on Your Immigration Status

Discuss Your Case with Our Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C. DUI Lawyers

The immigration process in the United States is very involved and lengthy. Individuals who are awaiting citizenship or are in this country using a temporary visa will face serious consequences if convicted of a DUI or DWI. It is already tough enough to obtain citizenship in the United States as an immigrant, so you do not want to give the U.S. government any reason to deny you.

Contact our Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. DUI defense attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. for a free, confidential consultation. Call (410) 995-1515 or submit an online form. We offer legal services in multiple languages.

Understanding the Stakes

A drunk driving conviction (DUI or DWI) can negatively affect whether the government grants you citizenship or denies it. It is important that you hire an experienced DUI/DWI attorney who can work with the prosecutor to avoid having a criminal conviction on you record.

For those individuals who do not speak English, it is imperative that you seek a law firm with several multilingual (Spanish, Chinese, Korean) paralegals to assist you. Also, remember that if you only speak a language other than English, the officer who pulls you over for a possible DUI/DWI must obtain an interpreter to go over your rights and advise you about what is happening during the field sobriety tests, as well as the breathalyzer test.

A drunk driving conviction does not only affect an individual’s ability to gain citizenship in the United States, but it also can lead to being deported if you are here on a temporary visa or are here illegally. U.S. immigration laws allow the government to remove or deport any individuals with a temporary visa or no documentation at all who commit criminal offenses. Drunk driving offenses, such as DUI and DWI, are serious criminal charges, especially if someone is killed as a result of the offense.

Why Choose Portner & Shure, P.A.

Again, it is important to hire an experienced DUI/DWI attorney if you are in the United States on a temporary visa and are charged with a DUI or DWI in order to avoid deportation or removal. An experienced attorney can work with the prosecutor to try and avoid a conviction to prevent being deported.

If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI, it is important that you consult an attorney immediately because DUI is a criminal offense and carries potentially severe penalties. An attorney can guide you through the court process and find any possible defenses that can either mitigate the penalties in the case, or in some instances, lead to an acquittal or dismissal.

To discuss your case with a Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. DUI defense attorney, please complete our online contact form or call (410) 995-1515.