Immigration Attorney John E. MacDonald Featured Speaker for RI Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Events

John MacDonald Speaking at RIBA

On March 10 and March 16, 2011, Attorney John MacDonald will provide two Food for Thought seminars entitled The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions, in conjunction with the RI Bar Association's CLE program in coordination with the president of the Newport County Bar Association. The seminars will be available in Providence on the 10th, and in Middletown RI on the 16th, and will run from approximately 12:45PM to 1:45PM.

This session focuses on the possible consequences of criminal convictions upon non-citizens, and your duty to advise your client in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Padilla v. Kentucky.

The immigration consequences of a criminal conviction may be far greater than any punishment of jail time, probation or a fine. This program will help you evaluate whether criminal conviction, diversion, or a plea will have an adverse affect on your client's immigration status and offer practical strategies for advising your client.

Attorney MacDonald stated, “My experience in Padilla v. Kentucky has given me an in depth understanding of the immigration implications involved in criminal matters. I am looking forward to speaking on this important topic again.”

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.

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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.