When a non-citizen faces criminal charges in Oakdale, the consequences go far beyond the typical criminal penalties. A conviction, even for a misdemeanor, can lead to immigration detention, loss of legal status, or deportation. Because Oakdale is home to the Oakdale ICE Processing Center, one of the largest immigration detention facilities in Louisiana, the connection between criminal and immigration law is especially strong here.

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we defend immigrants in criminal court while simultaneously protecting their rights and legal status under U.S. immigration law. Our attorneys understand that a single criminal case can determine whether a client stays in the country or is removed from it entirely. With decades of combined experience handling both criminal and immigration matters, we build comprehensive defense strategies that safeguard our clients’ futures at every step.

Why Criminal Charges Are Especially Serious for Non-Citizens

Criminal charges can have life-altering consequences for immigrants. While a U.S. citizen may only face fines, probation, or a brief sentence, a non-citizen can be detained by ICE, lose lawful permanent residency, or be permanently barred from reentering the United States.

In Louisiana, local law enforcement agencies often cooperate with federal immigration authorities, meaning even minor arrests can trigger ICE involvement. Once detained, individuals may be transferred to the Oakdale ICE Processing Center, where deportation proceedings can begin immediately.

Certain types of criminal cases carry particular risks for immigrants, including:

• Drug-related offenses, even involving small quantities
• DUI or DWI arrests
• Domestic violence or assault charges
• Theft, shoplifting, or fraud
• Firearm possession or related charges

Each of these offenses can impact immigration eligibility in different ways. Some may result in mandatory detention; others can render a person inadmissible or deportable. The key to protecting your rights is hiring an attorney who understands how both systems, criminal and immigration, work together.

How Our Oakdale Attorneys Protect Immigrants in Criminal Cases

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our approach to criminal defense is informed by a deep understanding of immigration law. We know that a plea deal, conviction, or even a dismissed charge handled incorrectly can affect a client’s immigration status. That’s why we evaluate every criminal case with immigration consequences in mind from day one.

Our attorneys conduct a thorough investigation into the charges, assess how potential outcomes could impact immigration eligibility, and negotiate with prosecutors to minimize or eliminate those risks. When possible, we pursue resolutions that prevent deportation and preserve pathways to lawful residency or citizenship.

In some cases, we represent clients simultaneously in both criminal court and immigration court, ensuring that one strategy doesn’t undermine the other. This dual representation is especially important for clients detained after an arrest, as their cases often move through both systems at once.

For example, an immigrant facing a misdemeanor drug charge might be eligible for a plea deal that avoids jail time. However, if that plea includes an admission that triggers removal proceedings, the result could be far worse than a short sentence. Our attorneys ensure that no decision, whether in plea negotiations or court hearings, jeopardizes your right to stay in the United States.

Avoiding Immigration Consequences After an Arrest in Oakdale

After an arrest, every decision matters. From the moment law enforcement becomes involved, your immigration status is at risk. Many non-citizens make critical mistakes early in the process, speaking to police without legal counsel, signing plea agreements without understanding the immigration consequences, or missing court dates that lead to bench warrants and ICE detainers.

Our attorneys act immediately to protect clients from these risks. We communicate directly with prosecutors, immigration authorities, and family members to secure release, prevent unnecessary detention, and preserve eligibility for relief. We also handle emergency bond motions for clients who have been detained at the Oakdale ICE Processing Center, ensuring that their rights are not violated while they await resolution of their criminal case.

In Oakdale, time is everything. Acting quickly can mean the difference between returning home to your family and being transferred to federal custody. When you work with Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, you gain a legal team that moves fast, understands the system, and knows how to stop a criminal case from turning into a deportation order.

Post-Conviction Relief and Immigration Remedies

A criminal conviction does not always have to mean deportation. Many immigrants believe that once a guilty plea or sentence is entered, their options are gone, but that is not the case. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we help clients pursue post-conviction relief and related immigration remedies to repair the damage caused by past criminal cases.

Our attorneys review every case to identify opportunities for legal relief, such as vacating a conviction, reducing a sentence, or reopening a case that was handled incorrectly. These remedies can make the difference between deportation and a second chance at lawful status. We also pursue immigration relief in tandem, such as cancellation of removal, waivers of inadmissibility, or adjustment of status, to help clients rebuild stability and remain in the United States.

Common post-conviction and immigration remedies we handle include:

• Vacating convictions that were entered without proper legal representation or full understanding of immigration consequences.
• Filing for sentence modifications to reduce penalties that make clients removable.
• Reopening closed cases where new evidence or legal errors are discovered.
• Seeking waivers or cancellation of removal to prevent deportation.
• Restoring eligibility for immigration benefits, including green cards and naturalization.

For clients whose prior attorneys did not consider immigration consequences, our firm takes action to correct those mistakes. We file motions and petitions in both criminal and immigration court to restore clients’ rights and eligibility for relief. In every situation, our goal is to find the legal path that protects your future, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Defending Immigrants Detained at the Oakdale ICE Processing Center

The Oakdale ICE Processing Center is one of the largest immigration detention facilities in Louisiana, and it frequently holds individuals who were first arrested on criminal charges. For immigrants in this situation, the challenges are immense. They must defend against both a criminal case and removal proceedings, often at the same time and under tight deadlines.

Our attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez handle both sides of these cases, ensuring that our clients’ defenses are coordinated and consistent. We work to secure release from custody, advocate for bond when possible, and present strong evidence showing why deportation would be unjust. When clients are detained, we maintain constant communication with their families, providing updates and helping them stay informed throughout the process.

We also address procedural issues that frequently arise in detention cases, such as video hearings, language barriers, and limited access to evidence, ensuring that our clients receive the fair treatment they deserve. By combining criminal defense knowledge with immigration advocacy, our firm gives detained immigrants the best possible chance at success in both courts.

Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez for Criminal Defense in Oakdale

Few law firms in Louisiana have the experience and focus that Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez brings to criminal defense for immigrants. Our attorneys have represented clients in both criminal and immigration courts for decades, giving us the insight needed to handle even the most complicated cases.

We understand how the Louisiana criminal justice system interacts with federal immigration enforcement and use that knowledge to protect clients at every stage, from initial arrest to final resolution. Our team is bilingual, offering representation in both English and Spanish, and we are available to act immediately for clients who have been detained or charged in the Oakdale area.

Clients choose our firm because:

• We combine criminal defense and immigration law experience to protect clients on both fronts.
• Our attorneys have decades of combined courtroom experience in Louisiana and federal courts.
• We provide bilingual legal support in English and Spanish to ensure every client understands their case.
• Our firm takes immediate action for detained clients, coordinating bond, release, and defense efforts.
• We are strategic, communicative, and focused on results, prioritizing your ability to remain in the United States.

Whether negotiating with prosecutors, challenging ICE detention, or filing appeals, we work with one goal in mind: protecting your right to remain in the United States.

Contact Our Oakdale Criminal Defense Attorneys for Immigrants Today

If you or a loved one have been arrested or detained in Oakdale, you need an attorney who understands how criminal and immigration law intersect. Waiting too long to get help can lead to unnecessary detention or even deportation.

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we represent clients throughout Oakdale, Jena, New Orleans, and nearby Natchez, Mississippi. Our attorneys are ready to step in immediately to defend you in criminal court and protect your immigration status at the same time.

Contact us today at (216) 284-7591 or connect with us online to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Oakdale criminal defense attorney for immigrants. Our team is prepared to fight for your freedom, your future, and your right to stay in the United States.