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Как отменить старую судимость в Калифорнии, если она мешает иммиграции.
Старая уголовная судимость в Калифорнии может неожиданно стать большой проблемой спустя много лет. Человек уже давно живет в США, имеет семью, работу, детей, платит налоги — но при подаче на грин-карту, гражданство или другое иммиграционное заявление выясняется, что старая судимость создает риск депортации, признания недопустимым для въезда или отказа в иммиграционных льготах. В таких ситуациях может помочь ходатайство об отмене судимости. В Калифорнии для этого часто используются Penal Code § 1473.7 и Penal Code § 1016.5. Когда используется PC 1473.7? PC 1473.7 часто применяется, когда человек утверждает, что во время старого признания вины он не понимал настоящие иммиграционные последствия своей судимости. Например, человек мог не знать, что признание вины приведет к депортации, отказу в грин-карте, отказу в гражданстве или невозможности […]
What Happens at a PC 1473.7 or PC 1016.5 Motion Hearing in Los Angeles.
A common question in post-conviction cases is: What actually happens at the hearing for a motion for post-conviction relief? This question often comes up in cases involving our criminal defense specialty practice involving Penal Code section 1473.7 and Penal Code section 1016.5 – to vacate an old California conviction because of immigration consequences. For many people, the conviction happened years ago. You may now be facing deportation, denial of a green card, denial of naturalization, inadmissibility, or immigration detention, or various other immigration related problems. In some cases, you may not even be able to personally attend the hearing because you are detained by immigration authorities or are outside the United States. That is why it is important to understand […]
Getting Your California Criminal Record Updated
Many people need to obtain a copy of their California criminal record for employment, professional licensing, immigration matters, background checks, firearm eligibility reviews, or simply to verify what appears on their record. In the practice of a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney and a Los Angeles Post-Conviction Attorney, we frequently help clients confirm that their criminal history was properly updated after post-conviction relief was granted by the court. This issue commonly arises after a conviction has been vacated, dismissed, expunged, reduced to a misdemeanor, or otherwise modified under California law, including relief granted under California Penal Code sections 1016.5 and 1473.7 for immigration-related consequences. Even after a judge signs an order granting relief, it is important to verify that all […]
When Vacatur Isn’t Enough: The Limits of Dismissal After Section 1473.7 Relief — Lessons from People v. Vaca
Introduction In California criminal defense practice, motions under Penal Code § 1473.7 have become an important tool for noncitizen defendants seeking to undo a plea entered without a meaningful understanding of immigration consequences. But a common misconception is that winning a § 1473.7 motion automatically forces the court to dismiss the underlying complaint or information. The 2023 appellate decision in People v. Vaca (89 Cal. App. 5th 1113) rejects that notion. As a criminal defense attorney based in Los Angeles, I emphasize aggressive post-conviction relief strategies — yet I also caution clients about statutory and judicial limits. Below’s a deeper dive into Vaca and why this decision matters to anyone pursuing § 1473.7 relief in California. The decision teaches us […]
Immigration-Safe Pleas and Motions to Vacate Convictions Under California Penal Code §1473.7
As a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, one of the most critical parts of protecting a non-citizen client is ensuring that a plea is “immigration-safe.” Many immigrants in California have found themselves in removal (deportation) proceedings years after taking a plea deal they did not fully understand. Fortunately, under California Penal Code §1473.7, you may have a legal right to vacate your conviction if your prior attorney failed to properly advise or negotiate an immigration-safe plea. Legal Background: Padilla v. Kentucky and People v. Bautista The U.S. Supreme Court in Padilla v. Kentucky (2010) held that a defense attorney provides ineffective assistance of counsel when they fail to advise a non-citizen client about the immigration consequences of a guilty plea. […]
Plea Vacating Penal Code 1473.7 – Recent Changes (Kuzmichey)
Understanding California Penal Code 1473.7 and Its Impact on Immigration Consequences: Insights from a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney California Penal Code 1473.7 offers a lifeline for noncitizens who face immigration consequences due to prior criminal convictions or guilty pleas. This crucial statute allows individuals to challenge their convictions if they were not properly informed about the immigration consequences of their plea. As a Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, I’ve helped many clients navigate these complex post-conviction relief proceedings to protect their immigration status. However, recent rulings, such as in People v. Kuzmichey, highlight how misunderstandings about the law can unfairly deny individuals the relief they deserve. This blog explores the issue and what it means for those seeking […]
Avoid Deportation: Post Conviction Relief For Immigrants in Los Angeles
Post Conviction relief discussion for immigrant including motions to withdraw plea under PC 1016.5 and PC 1473.7. Relief from deportation and denial of immigration status