Free Consultation (425) 533-2156

Non-U.S. Citizens

I have represented hundreds of clients who were not U.S. citizens. Seattle and the east-side is one of the most diverse areas in the country. Bellevue continues to have the largest percentage of foreign-born residents of any city in Washington state. About 31 percent of Bellevue's population, or more than 36,000 residents, are foreign born; and, one in every three residents speaks a language other than English. I am familiar and comfortable dealing with immigration consequences and language barriers of the criminal justice system. If you are not a U.S. citizen and you are charged with a crime, you need an attorney who is familiar with the possible consequences of an arrest, criminal charges, a plea bargain or a criminal conviction.

Immigration Consequences

The crossover between immigration and criminal law is one of the most complex and technical areas of law today. Depending on the crime you are charged with and your current immigration status, you could be facing immigration consequences if convicted of a crime. A “crime of moral turpitude” (CMT) can have immediate consequences as serious as deportation. I am well versed in the immigration consequences of various criminal charges and can discuss these with you during your initial consultation. You and your family's immigration status will be taken into consideration during my representation of you. A charge as minor as shoplifting (theft 3rd degree), DUI, Domestic Violence or Sex crime could lead to immigration and visa consequences.

Language Barriers

If you are charged with a crime and require the assistance of an interpreter, you are entitled to an interpreter fluent in your native language at no cost to you. Your attorney can motion the court to provide you with an interpreter at every hearing or trial. Legal English is very formal, complex and at time difficult to understand, even for native English speakers. You should discuss the possibility of having an interpreter present with your attorney before you go to court. King County Interpreter Services strives to provide interpretation services for all languages including:

  • Arabic (Egyptian),
  • Arabic (Levantine)
  • Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
  • Cantonese
  • French
  • Hindi
  • Korean
  • Laotian
  • Mandarin
  • Marshallese
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese

KING & SNOHOMISH COUNTY

King County: Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Bothell, Duvall, Woodinville, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, SeaTac, Kenmore, Tukwila, and more.
Snohomish County: Everett, Lynnwood, Bothell, Edmonds, Snohomish, Monroe

John T Law
(425) 650-9888 (fax)
Mon: 09:00am - 09:00pm
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Wed: 09:00am - 09:00pm
Thu: 09:00am - 09:00pm
Fri: 09:00am - 09:00pm
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Sun: 09:00am - 09:00pm

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