Padilla v. Kentucky: Immigration consequence advising for non-citizen defendants.
Why This Matters Now
Specialized requirements, specialized consulting.
Padilla v. Kentucky made immigration consequence counseling mandatory for all criminal defense cases in which the defendant is not a citizen. Our team of professional crimmigration attorneys make it manageable. Protect your practice. Protect your clients. Protect your reputation. Outsource your crimmigration analysis to experts.
In Padilla v. Kentucky, the U.S. Supreme Court held that criminal defense attorneys have a constitutional duty to advise non-citizen clients of the immigration consequences of criminal charges and plea agreements. This is no longer optional, and it is not "best practice." It is required.
Criminal law has a defined set of consequences based on the criminal conduct. Seemingly criminal matters, like protection order violations or petty theft, tend to result in fines or probation rather than jail. However, these charges can directly lead to the loss of lawful residency and indefinite detention for non-citizens. A criminal charge that will result in a small fine for a U.S. Citizen may result in mandatory detention and removal from the U.S. for a Lawful Permanent Resident. Yet immigration law intersects with criminal charges in ways that are highly complex, constantly evolving, and often counterintuitive. Even seasoned criminal defense practitioners risk misadvising or failing to advise clients with immigration exposure.
Our crimmigration consulting service exists so you don't have to become an immigration lawyer to meet Padilla obligations. Our team of attorneys combine years of experience representing clients, and the government, in criminal and immigration proceedings. You can rest assured knowing that our attorneys have practiced criminal defense at the highest levels. We know that there are complexities to cases that go beyond the probable cause affidavit, and we are here to listen and advise.
What Clients Are Saying About Our Team
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Polaris Law in Lincoln exceeded expectations. Knowledgeable, dedicated, and compassionate. They made the process smooth and successful. Definitely 5 stars!- Jon Q. -
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Our Crimmigration Team
Your consulting team includes:
- · Crimmigration specialists
- · Former prosecutors
- · Experienced criminal defense attorneys
- · Removal defense litigators
- · Law students and legal scholars.
The Risk
Failure to properly advise clients about immigration consequences can result in: legal malpractice exposure; ineffective assistance of counsel claims; post-conviction relief petitions; state bar complaints; ethics violations; and/or damage to professional reputation.
Your clients' outcomes, and your license, are too important to gamble on guesswork, AI, or hurried research in an unfamiliar field of law.
The Solution
On-Demand Crimmigration Consulting for Criminal Defense Attorneys
We partner with criminal defense attorneys nationwide to provide case-specific immigration consequence analysis for:
- Charges filed
- Potential plea offers
- Trial vs. plea strategy considerations
- Post-conviction impacts
- Risk of removal or inadmissibility consequences.
You will receive clear, client-ready guidance on immigration outcomes so you can confidently advise your clients and protect your practice without spending hours learning immigration law.
Want to Learn More?
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Have Questions? Start HereFind answers to common questions about our services and process. -
Explore Topics That May Impact Your CaseClear, helpful information from our team.
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Get to Know the Team Behind Your CaseLearn more about our approach and the people supporting you.
What You Receive
- Case-specific immigration consequence analysis
- Identification of removal, inadmissibility, and relief eligibility issues
- Practical guidance tied to plea options
- Clear explanation suitable for client communication
- Written reports available in six languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Benefits to Your Practice
- Malpractice risk reduction
- Protection from bar complaints and ethics claims
- Educated client decision-making
- Time savings
- Enhanced professional reputation
- Multilingual capabilities
- Flat fee payment structure
- Ability to sell a premium service
Protect your practice and your clients today by clicking the button below to schedule a consultation, request sample reports, and learn about pricing and referral options.
If you represent non-citizen clients, immigration consequences are part of your cases whether you want them to be or not.