Facing Criminal Charges in Tennessee?

Nashville attorney Perry A. Craft defends your rights as an immigrant

Being charged with a crime can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. For both citizens and immigrants, however, those feelings are often intensified by being booked, arrested, or given a citation to appear in court, by being handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a police care, hauled away to jail to face the unknown — alone.

Immigrants face another harsh reality. A criminal offense, plea or conviction may trigger a hold by ICE, removal or being deported to another county. But here in America, you have rights regardless of whether you are a citizen or an immigrant. At the Tennessee Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC, we fight to protect those rights every single day for citizens and immigrants.

If you’re facing criminal charges in Tennessee, you don’t have to face them alone. Our dedicated legal staff works with lead attorney Perry A. Craft to build a case for your defense. Attorney Craft has years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. We want to put those years of experience to work for you.

The consequences of a criminal conviction

If a citizen or immigrant pleads to or is convicted of a criminal offense – even a relatively minor offense – he or she may be required to serve jail time, pay fines and court costs, ordered to appear for random drug testing (at the citizen or immigrant’s expense), report regularly to a probation officer and be subject to search by law enforcement at any time. For citizens, a criminal conviction can have long-term consequences on their future. A citizen may lose the right to vote, job opportunities, the right to carry a weapon, and depending on the crime, the ability to receive an education because he or she may become ineligible to obtain student loans.

But for an immigrant, consequences often prove even more serious. Even petty crimes can lead to deportation if they are deemed crimes of “moral turpitude,” or are in a category that calls for deportation.  Many criminal convictions are deportable offenses, including:

Other criminal charges, however, are less clear. For example, shoplifting is a petty crime, but because it’s a theft crime it may be grounds for removal.

Regardless, even if convicted of certain crimes that may lead to removal, at times, we may be able to delay the removal or persuade the immigration authorities not to deport.

Facing criminal charges can be especially difficult for people who came here from abroad, but never underwent the process to obtain citizenship; you may face removal to a country you’ve never known, where you cannot speak the language, and where you have no loved ones to help you.  Even citizens born in the U.S. face uncertainties and a confusing process. At the Law Office of Perry A. Craft, we don’t believe that one poor choice should affect your future so drastically. That’s why we fight hard to protect your rights, whether you’re a citizen or an immigrant. At our Nashville law firm, we believe that everyone deserves a fair shot, and if it comes to it, a fair trial, and a lawyer who fights for you and your rights.

Because the laws regarding immigrants and criminal charges are so complex, and often so unclear, it is vitally important that you seek help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer and an immigration attorney.  We understand the nuances of immigration laws and how they can affect your future. A criminal defense attorney who does not regularly handle immigration law may not fully comprehend what could happen to you.

Merely keeping you out of jail might not allow you to stay in Tennessee. Attorney Craft’s background in criminal defense combined with his focus in immigration law makes him an ideal choice for your lawyer. He never forces you to take a deal that isn’t in your best interest, and he can explain to you what steps you need to take to protect yourself and your future here in America.

Facing removal from Tennessee? Let us help

The Nashville Immigrant Criminal Defense attorney at The Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC protects the rights of immigrants and undocumented workers facing criminal charges. We offer you caring and practical advice to help you through the justice system. To discuss your case with an attorney who understands the consequences of a conviction, call 615-953-3808 or fill out our convenient contact form.