The Florida Supreme Court has issued an opinion that is of great
importance to aliens who may be threatened with deportation as the result of a
criminal conviction. Under Peart v. State, if you were not warned
by the judge who accepted the guilty or no contest plea that your conviction
could possibly result in your deportation, and you are in fact being threatened
with deportation, you should be able to set aside the criminal conviction.
Of course, this means the state may go back and try to prosecute you anew for
the old offense, but it should be the basis for relief from INS on the
threatened deportation.
If you are an alien facing
immigration consequences from a prior Florida conviction, please contact Mr.
Kent to review your situation. Representation on a motion to set aside the prior conviction starts at
$7,500 at the trial court
level, without an appeal. Contact Mr. Kent at 904-355-1890.
There are strict deadlines for filing this type motion. Do not delay.