Imagine a moment when you're driving home, only to see flashing lights in your rearview mirror.
Your heart sinks.
No one likes getting pulled over, but the situation grows much worse if officers suspect you of drinking and driving. These traffic stops often result in an arrest and charges of driving under the influence (DUI).
A DUI charge is serious for anyone, but it can jeopardize not just an immigrant’s driving privileges but also their immigration status. Or perhaps you're already going through the U.S. immigration system, seeking a better life. In these times, an experienced legal team of Los Angeles immigration and DUI attorneys can make all the difference.
Welcome to Chudnovsky Law, an award-winning team of experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys who handle DUI cases involving immigrants. Our offices are conveniently in Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara. Wherever you are in California, legal advice is just a short drive away.
Los Angeles Immigration and DUI Guide
- DUI in Los Angeles
- What to Do After a DUI for Immigration Purposes
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- The Importance of Seeking Chudnovsky Law
- Contact a Los Angeles Immigration and DUI Lawyer
Why Choose Chudnovsky Law
Our legal team has more than 75 years of combined experience. Our attorneys have been involved in over 8,000 cases and trials, giving us a unique insight into what it takes to win even the most complicated cases.
Peer and Client-Recognized Excellence
Chudnovsky Law is consistently ranked among the top attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange County, and throughout California by both clients and professional colleagues.
Our awards and ratings include:
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
- Rated Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles & Orange County by Expertise
- 5 Star Ratings on Google Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach
- 5 Star Peer-Reviewed on Martindale-Hubbell
- 10.0 Superb Rating on AVVO
- 5 Star Rating on Findlaw
- 5 Star Rating on Lawyers.com
- 10.0 Lawyer Rating on Justia
Nationwide Media Recognition
Our trial attorneys have been featured in national media, including The Washington Post, NBC News, Los Angeles Times, American Bar Association, and National Public Radio, reinforcing our reputation as legal authorities in our practice areas.
Immigration and U.S. Law in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city that attracts people from all corners of the world, making it a melting pot of cultures, aspirations, and dreams. However, navigating the U.S. immigration system to get to Los Angeles involves its own set of complexities and nuances.
With immigration offices often backed up and court hearings notoriously difficult to schedule, immigrants in L.A. can face an even more uphill battle.
At Chudnovsky Law, our L.A.-based team of Los Angeles DUI and criminal defense attorneys has experience maneuvering through the courts. We're familiar with federal immigration laws and understand how they play out in the City of Angels, where the immigrant community is substantial and diverse.
Call (213) 212-5002 for a Free Consultation
If you are looking to hire a immigration and DUI lawyer, we invite you to call (213) 212-5002 for a Free consultation.
DUI in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is notorious for its strict DUI enforcement, driven by the high levels of traffic and the LAPD. If you're facing DUI charges in L.A., you're facing not just a legal battle but also the high likelihood of penalties that may include mandatory jail time, even for first-time offenders.
At Chudnovsky Law, our lawyers are skilled at dealing with local prosecutors and understand the tactics the LAPD uses in DUI arrests, allowing us to build a strong defense tailored for our clients in Los Angeles.
The Intersection of Immigration and DUI in Los Angeles
For immigrants in Los Angeles facing a DUI charge, the challenges multiply exponentially. Los Angeles, being a border state city, has immigration enforcement that is far more active than most other parts of the country. A DUI charge can potentially draw the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to disastrous outcomes like detention and deportation.
It is this complicated mix of immigration and DUI laws at the state and federal levels that makes the situation in Los Angeles so unique. And it's also why you need legal counsel from Chudnovsky Law.
Our attorneys, based in Los Angeles, are uniquely positioned to understand the cross-section of DUI and immigration laws as they are applied locally. We evaluate your situation from both criminal and immigration perspectives to create a defense strategy that protects your right to remain in the United States while also fighting the DUI charge on solid grounds.
When you hire Chudnovsky Law in Los Angeles, you're getting a team of attorneys who understand the laws as they apply in one of the most diverse and legally challenging environments in the United States.
Our Los Angeles-specific knowledge and experience can successfully navigate the high-stakes intersection of DUI and immigration laws, offering you the best possible defense tailored to your unique situation.
What to Do After a DUI for Immigration Purposes
First and foremost, after a DUI, get in touch with our knowledgeable attorneys as quickly as possible. In immigration-sensitive cases, the strategy and timing of your defense can be the determining factors in your case's outcome. Our legal counsel can guide you through:
Assessing the Case and Identifying Weaknesses in the Prosecution's Arguments
When facing a DUI charge as an immigrant, the prosecution will often build a case using evidence such as Breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and police officer testimonies.
Our experienced attorneys at Chudnovsky Law analyze every piece of evidence presented. We examine the circumstances surrounding your arrest, including the legality of the initial traffic stop and the methods used to collect evidence. Any procedural errors or inconsistencies can weaken the prosecution's case against you.
For instance, a Breathalyzer machine that was not properly calibrated can produce incorrect results, or the police may have conducted a field sobriety test in a way that didn't adhere to legal standards. Our legal team can challenge such evidence, raising reasonable doubts that can lead to reduced charges or even an outright dismissal of your case.
In the context of immigration, a conviction can lead to severe immigration consequences, including jeopardizing your eligibility for immigration benefits or even triggering deportation proceedings. Weakening the prosecution's DUI case against you can be crucial.
Advising on Plea Bargains, if Applicable
A plea bargain is an agreement between the defense and prosecution where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
While this might seem like an attractive option, especially if the evidence against you appears strong, the implications for your immigration status can be far-reaching.
At Chudnovsky Law, we carefully evaluate the ramifications of any plea deal on your immigration status before advising you to accept or reject an offer. Some convictions, even for lesser charges, can be classified as crimes involving moral turpitude or be considered an aggravated felony under immigration law, which can lead to deportation.
Our legal guidance considers your long-term goals and immigration objectives. When you consult with us, we understand the full scope of your options and the legal and immigration consequences of each.
Understanding the Immigration Consequences of Convictions or Pleas
When you face a DUI charge, you don’t just go through the criminal justice system; there's also the challenge of ensuring that the case's resolution won't adversely impact your immigration status.
A DUI can carry several implications in immigration proceedings, from affecting your eligibility for naturalization to putting you at risk for deportation. For example, certain DUI convictions can lead to mandatory detention during removal proceedings or disqualify you from forms of relief like asylum or cancellation of removal.
At Chudnovsky Law, our attorneys have extensive experience in both criminal defense and immigration law, allowing us to provide well-rounded advice tailored to your circumstances. We explore all avenues, including potential post-conviction relief options that can minimize the immigration consequences of a DUI conviction.
By taking an approach that considers both immediate criminal penalties and long-term immigration outcomes, Chudnovsky Law helps you make the most informed decisions for your future.
Our deep understanding of the interplay between criminal and immigration laws sets us apart as the legal team best suited to guide you through these challenging times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Understanding the interplay between immigration and DUI laws by yourself can be overwhelming. Here at Chudnovsky Law, we understand that you probably have questions.
Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help ease your concerns. While this section can be informative, please note that the best way to get personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances is to contact us for a legal consultation.
Q: Can a DUI Conviction Lead to Deportation?
A: A DUI conviction can have serious implications for your immigration status, especially if you are a non-citizen or in the process of changing your immigration status.
While a standard, first-time DUI may not directly result in deportation for those who are lawful permanent residents, complications arise for visa holders, refugees, and undocumented immigrants.
DUI cases with aggravating factors — involving injury, death, or significant property damage — are especially problematic and can initiate deportation proceedings.
Also, multiple DUI convictions can accumulate into a portrait of moral turpitude, substantially raising your risk of deportation.
Given these stakes, secure representation from attorneys who handle cases in both criminal defense and immigration law, like the team at Chudnovsky Law.
Q: What Are My Chances of Winning a DUI Case?
A: The prospects of winning a DUI case depend on several factors, including the nature of the evidence against you, the procedures followed during your arrest, and the jurisdiction where the case occurs.
At Chudnovsky Law, we take a comprehensive approach to defending DUI charges. We look at every aspect of your arrest, from the legality of the traffic stop to the administration and calibration of breath or blood tests.
We identify any weaknesses or errors in the prosecution's case that we can leverage to your advantage. With our extensive experience and careful attention to detail, we maximize the odds of a favorable outcome in your case.
Q: Can I Apply for U.S. Citizenship with a Criminal Record?
A: Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from applying for U.S. citizenship, but it does make the process considerably more difficult. U.S. immigration authorities will scrutinize your record as part of their good moral character assessment, which is an essential component of the naturalization process.
Certain convictions, especially those categorized as crimes involving moral turpitude or aggravated felonies, can adversely impact your eligibility for citizenship. Therefore, consult an attorney well-versed in both immigration and criminal law to guide you through this complicated process.
At Chudnovsky Law, we can explain how your criminal record may impact your citizenship application and what steps to mitigate those effects.
Q: How Do Plea Bargains Affect My Immigration Status?
A: Plea bargains may seem like a quick way to resolve a criminal case, but they can have unforeseen consequences on your immigration status. A plea deal that reduces your criminal charges can still fall under the categories of crimes involving moral turpitude or aggravated felonies under immigration law.
Such classifications can trigger removal proceedings, make you ineligible for certain immigration benefits, or even bar you from re-entering the United States. Therefore, consult an attorney experienced in both criminal and immigration law before accepting any plea deals.
Chudnovsky Law's team of attorneys will carefully evaluate the potential immigration outcomes of a plea bargain, ensuring you make a fully informed decision.
The Importance of Seeking Chudnovsky Law
When the stakes are as high as your ability to remain in the country you call home or to secure a future for yourself and your family, you can't afford to go it alone.
With Chudnovsky Law, you are not just hiring an attorney; you're gaining a dedicated team committed to fighting for your rights. Our accolades, years of experience, and numerous successful case outcomes are testaments to our commitment to achieving the best possible results for our clients.
Contact a Los Angeles Immigration and DUI Lawyer
Don't leave your future to chance. If you face immigration issues, DUI charges, or the complex intersection of both, contact Chudnovsky Law today at (213) 212-5002 for your confidential, free consultation. Our attorneys are ready to guide you through your case and fight for your rights every step of the way.
Make the call. Secure your future. Choose Chudnovsky Law.
Los Angeles
Address: 1933 S Broadway #1100,Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 212-5002
Fax: 844 325-1444