When criminal charges threaten your freedom and your ability to remain in the United States, having the right legal team matters. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our Akron criminal defense attorneys for immigrants understand how criminal and immigration law overlap and how the outcome of one case can affect the other. We represent non-citizens across Akron and Summit County, protecting their rights in both criminal court and immigration proceedings.
Criminal accusations can lead not only to fines or jail time but also to removal from the country, denial of immigration benefits, or loss of lawful permanent residency. Our firm combines years of experience in Ohio criminal defense with in-depth knowledge of federal immigration law, allowing us to build strategies that safeguard both your legal status and your future in the United States.
Our Akron attorneys provide representation for:
Our attorneys know how much is at stake when a criminal case intersects with immigration law. We fight to minimize penalties, preserve eligibility for immigration relief, and defend your ability to continue building a life in the United States.
The Relationship Between Criminal and Immigration Law
Criminal convictions can have life-changing consequences for non-citizens. Even minor offenses that seem routine in state court can lead to deportation, denial of adjustment of status, or bars to reentry. Our Akron immigration and criminal defense attorneys help clients understand how every charge, plea, and conviction can impact their immigration future.
Immigration law divides offenses into specific categories that determine whether removal is possible or mandatory. Crimes involving moral turpitude, aggravated felonies, and controlled substance offenses are especially serious. However, not every criminal conviction results in deportation. Our attorneys evaluate each case carefully to determine possible defenses, alternative pleas, or waivers that can protect our clients’ immigration status.
Key facts about criminal and immigration law include:
- Convictions or guilty pleas can lead to removal or loss of immigration benefits.
- Deferred sentences or dismissed charges may still appear in immigration records.
- Certain misdemeanors can have the same impact as felonies under federal law.
- Post-conviction relief may provide options for those already convicted.
Our firm works to ensure that clients understand every consequence before making decisions in criminal court. By coordinating both sides of the defense, we help Akron immigrants protect their rights, their status, and their future.
Common Criminal Charges with Immigration Consequences
Many criminal charges in Ohio can have serious immigration consequences, even when they seem minor at first. Our Akron criminal defense attorneys for immigrants regularly defend clients facing a wide range of allegations in municipal, state, and federal courts. We focus on protecting both your immediate criminal case and your long-term immigration status.
Criminal convictions can trigger removal proceedings, limit your eligibility for immigration benefits, or prevent future applications such as green cards or citizenship. Because each case is unique, we take time to understand the full picture before recommending any plea or defense strategy.
Common charges that can affect immigration status include:
- DUI or OVI offenses, which may impact immigration eligibility and trigger ICE involvement.
- Drug possession or distribution, often leading to mandatory removal proceedings.
- Domestic violence or assault, which can be treated as crimes of moral turpitude.
- Theft or fraud offenses, which may result in denial of adjustment of status.
- Weapons or firearms violations, which can lead to deportation under federal law.
We understand how these charges can disrupt lives and families. Our firm works to minimize penalties, negotiate favorable outcomes, and protect your right to remain in the United States.
How Our Attorneys Defend Non-Citizens in Akron
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we provide legal strategies designed to protect immigrants facing criminal charges in Akron. We understand that every decision made in criminal court can affect future immigration options, so our attorneys evaluate both sides of the case before taking action.
Our team has extensive experience in both criminal defense and immigration law, allowing us to anticipate immigration consequences and take proactive steps to protect clients’ status. We also communicate directly with prosecutors and judges to pursue resolutions that minimize or eliminate immigration risks.
Our Akron defense attorneys help by:
- Reviewing criminal and immigration records to identify potential risks.
- Negotiating plea agreements that protect future immigration eligibility.
- Filing motions for dismissal, reduction, or diversion when appropriate.
- Representing clients in both Akron criminal courts and the Cleveland Immigration Court.
We handle every case with the goal of achieving a resolution that protects our clients’ freedom and their ability to continue living in the United States legally.
Post-Conviction Relief and Immigration Consequences
For many immigrants in Akron, a past criminal conviction can continue to create barriers to lawful status. Our attorneys provide representation in post-conviction relief matters, helping clients correct errors, withdraw pleas, or reopen cases that are still affecting their immigration future.
Post-conviction relief is often the key to restoring eligibility for immigration benefits or preventing removal. We evaluate whether your case qualifies for legal remedies under Ohio law and take action to challenge improper convictions or sentences that carry immigration penalties.
Our post-conviction services for immigrants include:
- Motions to withdraw guilty pleas when clients were not informed of immigration consequences.
- Requests for record expungement or modification to reduce immigration impact.
- Petitions for post-conviction relief under Ohio statutes.
- Coordination with immigration attorneys to ensure the best possible outcome.
Our firm is committed to giving Akron immigrants a second chance by addressing the criminal convictions that stand in the way of lawful status or family unity.
Protecting Your Immigration Status During a Criminal Case
When facing criminal charges as a non-citizen, every decision matters. A single guilty plea or conviction can jeopardize your ability to remain in the country or apply for future immigration benefits. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our Akron criminal defense attorneys for immigrants provide proactive legal guidance that protects your immigration status while defending your rights in court.
We encourage clients to contact us as early as possible after an arrest or charge. The sooner we are involved, the more options we have to prevent long-term immigration harm. Our attorneys communicate with prosecutors, immigration authorities, and the court system to pursue resolutions that preserve your eligibility for lawful status or relief from removal.
To protect your immigration status during a criminal case:
- Consult an attorney before accepting any plea agreement.
- Inform your defense lawyer about your immigration status immediately.
- Avoid missing court dates or probation requirements.
- Keep detailed records of all criminal and immigration proceedings.
Our goal is to protect not only your freedom but also your ability to continue living, working, and supporting your family in Akron.
Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we combine decades of legal experience in both criminal defense and immigration law. Our firm is uniquely positioned to represent immigrants in Akron whose cases involve overlapping issues in both systems. We know the local courts, the prosecutors, and the immigration processes that affect clients throughout Akron and Summit County.
We believe in direct communication and personalized attention. When you work with our firm, you speak directly with the attorney handling your case, not a call center or intermediary. We treat every client with respect and focus on solutions that protect their future.
Clients throughout Akron choose us because:
- We have decades of combined experience in criminal and immigration law.
- Our multilingual team serves Akron’s diverse communities.
- We provide personalized representation in both state and federal courts.
- We maintain a strong record of success in complex immigration-related defense cases.
Our attorneys are dedicated to defending your rights, preserving your status, and helping you move forward with confidence.
Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Today for Criminal Defense for Immigrants in Akron
If you are an immigrant facing criminal charges in Akron or Summit County, do not wait to seek experienced legal representation. Criminal allegations can quickly escalate into immigration consequences, including removal or loss of lawful status. Our attorneys are ready to defend your rights and help you understand every option available.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we take pride in representing Akron’s immigrant community with skill, integrity, and dedication. Our team has the experience to handle both your criminal case and any related immigration matters from start to finish.
Call us today at (216) 294-2835 or connect with us online to schedule a consultation. Our firm is here to protect your freedom, your status, and your future in the United States.
