Immigration Issues Decided in Padilla v. Kentucky

Immigration Attorney John E. MacDonald Speaks on the Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling in Padilla v. Kentucky

On December 8, 2010, Attorney John E. MacDonald, Esquire spoke at the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ annual Fall Continuing Legal Education Seminar regarding Developments in Criminal Law and Procedure. Attorney MacDonald presented an update relative to the recent Supreme Court Immigration ruling in Padilla v. Kentucky. The seminar encompassed effective strategies and tactics for providing effective assistance of counsel, and avoiding removal in criminal and immigration matters.

The case of Padilla v. Kentucky is a precedent setting Supreme Court case involving the rights of a criminal defendant to be informed regarding the possibility of deportation when entering into plea agreements, or being found guilty of all but the most minor criminal offenses. With the recent changes to the Immigration laws, private counsel is now in the position of having to inform criminal clients about the possibility of deportation in all but the most obscurely referenced Immigration laws. In all criminal cases involving immigrants, counsel must at least inform the client that the chance of deportation exists.

Attorney MacDonald is known for his experience in Criminal matters that also involve Immigration issues, and when asked about his engagement to speak at the CLE seminar dealing with this issue stated, “Padilla is a landmark decision from our Supreme Court. It places an affirmative duty on criminal defense lawyers to properly advise their clients as to the immigration consequences of a plea. Lawyers can no longer turn a blind eye to the harsh immigration consequences that may result from a plea to a criminal case.”

The CLE seminar took place on Wednesday December 8, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the Frank Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island.
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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.