For an immigrant with a first-time arrest or conviction, not being a citizen adds extra complications and potentially devastating consequences. To protect your rights and your American Dream, it’s important that your criminal defense attorney is experienced in both immigration and criminal law so that you don’t lose your Green Card – or face deportation. Do you know your rights as an immigrant or non-citizen?
The United States Constitution protects the rights and liberties of all Americans – and protections for immigrants in the U.S. An amendment to the Constitution is a change to the original 1788 document to improve or correct the original document. So far, 27 amendments have been approved by Congress. These are the amendments that protect the rights of immigrants and citizens.
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and guarantee the civil rights and liberties of each individual, including freedom of speech, press, and religion.
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is important because it outlawed slavery in the US and became the source of the first Civil Rights Act aimed at establishing equality for all.
4th Amendment
The 4th Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any search warrant to be legally sanctioned and have probable cause.
5th Amendment
The 5th Amendment discusses the limits on police criminal procedures, protects people against self-incrimination, and says that everyone is entitled to due process under the law.
6th Amendment
The 6th amendment provides that someone who is arrested for a crime is entitled to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of their peers.
7th Amendment
The 7th Amendment guarantees your right to a trial by jury in civil cases or if the crime you are charged with has a value of over $20.
8th Amendment
The 8th Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and prohibits excessive or cruel fines, imprisonment or sentences.
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment awards citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the United States and gives them all the rights and privileges and equal protections of anyone born an American citizen.
Know Your Rights: Don’t Let Criminal Charges End Your American Dream
Godoy Law Office’s experience in criminal law as a former assistant state’s attorney and dedication to immigration law gives us a distinct advantage that allows us to fight zealously on your behalf.
Small offenses can have serious, long-term consequences for non-citizens. Know your rights, and protect your rights. If you or a loved one are charged with a crime, call an experienced crimmigration legal team with specialized knowledge of both criminal and immigration law. Our attorneys at Godoy Law Office practice criminal defense and immigration law. Call us today at 630-912-0322.
Se habla español.
AREAS WE SERVE: Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties
