Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

2 days ago I was charged with retail theft-$84 (the store put me to write what happened and I admitted, after this the cop came and give me the court date but he did not arrest me)right now i am with a student visa F1and this is my fiers offense. I want to know what are my chances not be deported and to keep a clean record if I going in court without a lawyer.


Asked on 7/05/10, 7:58 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Carolyn Jones Law Office of Carolyn R. Jones

You need to get in touch with a immigration lawyer asap.

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Answered on 7/05/10, 11:24 am
Aaron Slavin Slavin Law Firm, LLC

I think you need to also get in touch with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can convince the State Attorney's Office to NOT file the criminal charge (possibly in exchange for you doing some community service hours and/or taking a shoplifter's awareness course). Retail Theft is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (in immigration/deportation language), so you definitely need an attorney and a way (possibly through a diversion program or Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) to get this charge dismissed.

The stakes are simply too high (because of your student visa) to try to handle this alone.

Good luck,

Aaron J. Slavin, Esq.

SLAVIN LAW FIRM, LLC

727.474.3785

1.877.HIRE.SLF

www.slavinlawfirm.com

[email protected]

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Answered on 7/05/10, 11:36 am


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