A DUI may get you a one-way ticket back to your home country!
For the average Michigan resident, being arrested for drunk or drugged driving presents a whole host of challenges. Coming up with the money for bail, finding a good DUI attorney, spending time in jail, and adjusting to life without a vehicle are all inconvenient and difficult. But for immigrants living in Michigan, those problems are only the tip of the iceberg. There’s another, even bigger issue that needs to be dealt with – possible deportation!
How you got to Michigan matters!
We have to point out the most obvious point first – if you’re an illegal alien, which means you’re in the US illegally, “undocumented”, then almost ANY contact with law enforcement could result in your deportation. A DUI is only one possible way you could encounter a police officer who discovers your status and arrests you. However, if you’re a legal immigrant, and you entered the country through legal channels, a DUI might mean a one way ticket back to your homeland. Then again, it might not. It all depends…
Your prior criminal record plays a role too!
So what do we mean by that? Well, for most legal, law-abiding immigrants, a DUI isn’t likely to get you deported all on its own. If you don’t have a criminal record, and this is your first encounter with our criminal courts that resulted in your arrest, there is a chance you might not have to leave the country. (Please remember that every case is dealt with differently, and if you are arrested we recommend you discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney and also with an immigration attorney!)
Are you being charged with any other crimes besides a DUI?
However, if you have been arrested in the past, the prosecutor and U. S. immigration officials might make the argument that you are a repeat offender and lack the appropriate respect for the laws of your host country. This argument has also been made if your drunk driving charge comes paired with other charges. For example, if you were driving under the influence and you had children in your car at the time, you could be charged with Child Endangerment. Or if you attempted to leave the scene of the accident without waiting for an officer to arrive, you could end up facing additional charges of fleeing or eluding the police.
Do you need help from a skilled drunk driving attorney in Michigan?
As we mentioned earlier, if you have concerns about your immigration status, we recommend you discuss your situation with an immigration attorney very quickly. However, if you need help from a highly skilled and experienced drunk and drugged driving attorney, call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245 immediately. Being arrested for operating under the influence in Lansing, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids or any other part of Michigan can have a serious impact on your future – regardless of whether you’re an immigrant or a native resident of Michigan!
