Tourist Charged with Petty Theft

[ihs818]

A tourist i know has been charged with petty theft,a misdemeanor, they are posting bail after the arraignment, however they are worried about the consequences of the charges. I have a couple of questions , will this affect their status in the USA , will they be deported, will it affected their re-entry ? Right now they are in status and this is their first offense. This is a recent incident and the petty theft is shoplifting. This happened in Florida. They have a court hearing in a about a month or so . As i said this just happened recently, do they need to hire a criminal lawyer or a immigration lawyer or both . What should they do if they want their case to be deferred, dismissed or pardoned , again this is their first offense. what are the consequences of them pleading either guilty or not guilty,that is immigration wise? I don't want them to be deported or have obstacles if they re-enter the USA in the future ( they have a 10 year visit visa).

[keyang]

Tourist Charged with Petty Theft

Try to see if they can get into ARP first. Or if they can have the case dismissed.

[rayb]

Are you the same poster who gave us a similar message earlier today or yesterday?

The answer to your question depends on what immigration benefit the "tourist" is now seeking. They shouldn't use an immigration attorney for a criminal defense, unless it is an "immigration attorney" who does everything because he can't generate enough business with his immigration specialty.

If your friend is here on a visitor visa , she has to leave the U.S. soon or in a few months, else she will be compounding her shoplifting experience by becoming a visa overstay.

I don't think you have provided enough information to get a qualified answer. The "short version," however, is that your friend made a big mistake which will surely affect any future immigration procedure she pursues if a criminal records check is done after she is fingerprinted.

--Ray B

A tourist i know has been charged with petty theft,a misdemeanor, they are posting bail after the arraignment, however they are worried about the consequences of the charges. I have a couple of questions , will this affect their status in the USA , will they be deported, will it affected their re-entry ? Right now they are in status and this is their first offense. This is a recent incident and the petty theft is shoplifting. This happened in Florida. They have a court hearing in a about a month or so . As i said this just happened recently, do they need to hire a criminal lawyer or a immigration lawyer or both . What should they do if they want their case to be deferred, dismissed or pardoned , again this is their first offense. what are the consequences of them pleading either guilty or not guilty,that is immigration wise? I don't want them to be deported or have obstacles if they re-enter the USA in the future ( they have a 10 year visit visa).