Just because you were convicted of a crime doesn’t mean that your conviction must forever haunt employment background checks, stop you from becoming a U.S. citizen or remain a deportation threat.
There is no reason to let a youthful mistake, misunderstanding, past criminal record—or especially a criminal identity theft—be a barrier to future opportunities. Many options of post-conviction relief are available to help you, even after you have served time, finished probation, or paid your fines. Relief is critical for clearing the records of victims of criminal identity theft.
Through post-conviction proceedings, the Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus can attempt to lessen the negative consequences of having been convicted of a crime. Your background may be used against you in rental matters, employment and education opportunities, by Immigration and Naturalization—and even socially.
Today’s political climate is not the most favorable for immigrants. Those who have not gained full citizenship can face deportation for even minor drug offenses. In addition, it makes it more difficult to gain citizenship in the future. Here, we will take a look at your options if you are a green card holder or lawful resident who has been charged with DUI in Illinois. A Chicago immigration DUI lawyer with Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus can offer legal guidance.
If you have full citizenship status, there are very few crimes that will rise to the standard needed to deport you. Those crimes are sedition or taking adverse actions against the U.S. government. So as long as you are not trying to overthrow the U.S. government or otherwise interfere with its operations, you will not face deportation. You will, however, face criminal charges for which you could receive jail time. If that is the case, then you will require a Chicago criminal defense attorney to ensure that you get the best possible deal or beat the charges.
Non-naturalized legal residents (green card holders) can be deported for legal infractions. Those who have not applied for green cards or do not have a legal right to be here can be deported simply for being here illegally.
Before you take a plea deal, your lawyer should advise you as to the consequences of a conviction on your immigration status. If they do not, this constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel and can be used as grounds for an appeal. Judges in Illinois are now required to tell legal residents that a conviction on a drug plea can have a serious negative impact on their residency status. It may be grounds for deportation.
This does not mean that a conviction or plea will definitely have an impact on your residency status. It only means that it could. The judge will not know because the laws often shift. Under President Obama, it was customary to deport lawful residents who were convicted of minor crimes and this has also been the case under President Trump.
It is also important to realize that, even if a defendant is not convicted of a crime, factual evidence that suggests that they should have been convicted can be used against them in immigration court. Illinois has programs that allow offenders to make amends without confessing to a crime. While their record will not show a conviction, an immigration court might use this as the basis for taking an action against them.
The Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus have successfully helped our clients remain in the U.S. even after being convicted of a crime in Illinois. Contact our immigration defense attorneys immediately if you are worried about your lawful residency status.
I hired Mr. Jonathan Minkus for a criminal drug conviction which I needed to be removed from my record that I had pled guilty to over seven years ago. Without going into too much detail about the difficulty of my case, I would like to emphasize how difficult it is to convince a Judge 7 years after pleading guilty to drop a charge. Well, Jonathan...
Jonathan was great! He successfully reopened an old felony conviction of my husband from 2003! It was vacated and no longer a cloud over our future. Thank you so much, Jonathan.
I hired Minkus to help me with some serious legal problems, and he was my last hope. Other lawyers told me they could not help me, but he did. Because of him, I no longer have any criminal record. he saved me. I highly support this man.
The best attorney around helped me get my felony vacated and was easy to work with.
I hired Mr. Minkus to represent me for a post-conviction petition to clear an old criminal conviction of mine. I spoke to many lawyers who told me it was not possible and Mr. Minkus told me that it would be difficult. Still, he was able to completely clear my record. He always returned my calls and his office was very easy to deal with. I...
I came to Mr. Minkus with little hope for the matter I had with a drug conviction that happened when I was 18. I’m now 29, so the case was a long time ago. He listened to my story and which in my mind I found impossible to get rid of, but he restored my hope and helped me till the end with the help...
My immigration attorney suggested I call Mr. Minkus to help me get some criminal cases taken off of my record. When I went to see him I was hesitant at first because the other lawyers I had only got me convicted of cases. I trusted him and he did not let me down. he got each of my cases totally off of my record. highly...
I highly recommended this lawyer! Mr. Minkus help me! I had a very difficult case. He gave me hope!! IF YOU LOOKING FOR A CRIMINAL LAWER HE IS THE ONE!! THANK YOU, MR.MINKUS!
He is one of the attorneys that really helped me. I dont know what I would do if not him. My case got vacated really quick. If you are looking for a lawyer with experience and that really cares about people you should hire Jonathan. Also his secretary Carol is a sweetheart. She will explain to you everything you need.
I was referred to attorney Jonathan Minkus by my immigration attorney for a very old conviction from 2003. Mr. Minkus was able to get my conviction vacated very quickly. He was very upfront with the process as well as with any of the fees associated. He is very well connected, and I highly recommended his services. Thanks again Mr. Minkus.
This goes back to 2003. Mr. Minkus got my Driver's License back for me after it was revoked. Very quickly, too, considering the trouble I got myself into & the circumstances. Advised me every step of the way. Followed his advice to the *T* and all went well.
5 Stars!
Today was a great day for us. Only because of the hard work and professionalism that Mr. Minkus did to make this day happen. After a long year of my husband's CDL license being suspended. It was officially reinstated on the day that it was expected. We feel like things are going to finally change for the better because of it. Thank you again, Jonathan!
5 Stars!
Jonathan Minkus is a great lawyer, I highly recommend him to anyone that has any serious issues. Jonathan and his staff is very friendly and professional. I couldn’t be more satisfied with their help and service. Thank you!
I am forever grateful for Jonathan Minkus and his assistance with my clemency petition. I found myself in an exceptionally troubling situation in which my legal status in the US was in jeopardy due to my criminal record. Per the advice of my immigration attorney, I engaged Mr. Minkus’s services in the hopes that he might be able to assist with a clemency petition. Mr....
My wife and I have tried 3 times for her green card and was rejected three times because of some trouble she was accused of before she spoke English. I asked another Lawyer is there anything we can do and she referred us to Jonathan Minkus. We meet with Jonathan and said he might be able to help us but it would be difficult. Jonathan...
Jonathan helped me to vacate two of charges against me, and both of them are successfully vacated. I had a very good experience working with Jonathan and he is a very kind person and very considerate. I would like to highly recommend someone that has same situation as me to go get help form Jonathan.
For 6 years my wife and I tried to receive our Green Card. After being declined 3 times, I asked our immigration lawyer is there anyway to correct some legal issues my wife fell into before she learned to speak English. We were referred to Jonathan and he has done miracles in clearing her name so we finally have a chance at receiving our Green...
Jonathan is not only a brilliant attorney but he is a genuinely good human being. A petty misdemeanor mistake was holding back our immigration process. We came to him seeking options and hope. Upon meeting Jonathan during our initial consultation, his overwhelming knowledge, positivity and kindness were on full display and we immediately felt hope again. I know in my heart Jonathan deeply cares for...
I highly recommend his services.
Jonathan was the only one willing to help my husband and me during a tough time. My husband was facing deportation and had no chance to beat his case unless Jonathan was able to vacate a previous conviction. Jonathan was persistent and genuinely advocated for my husband and family. Jonathan was able to vacate the 12-year-old conviction with DuPage County, giving us a fighting chance...
I hired Mr. Jonathan Minkus for a criminal drug conviction which I needed removed off of my record that I had pled guilty to over 7 years ago. Without going into too much detail about the difficulty of my case, I would just like to emphasize how difficult it is to convince a Judge 7 years after pleading guilty to drop a charge. Well, Jonathan...
I was wrongfully advised by an immigration lawyer to expunge my criminal record that consisted of a drug related charge in order to apply for residency. My wife and I quickly found out this was not true and were referred by two different lawyers (who did not know one another) to contact Mr. Minkus. We were without hope and filled with stress.
I almost never write reviews and when Mr. Minkus just finished representing my brother and I looked for him online I felt like I had to write this. Yes, he is not the cheapest lawyer around but he did exactly what he said he would do. My brother was being deported and we were sent to Mr. Minkus to try and fix his criminal record.
I hired Mr. Minkus a month ago after a convoluted incident that left me with criminal trespass and criminal damage to property, possibly pending a burglary charge. The confessions I had written and the police notes that were taken while I was in custody painted a very bad portrait of me and the system likely would have given me a severe sentence if not for
My experience with mr. Minkus was outstanding. Mr.Minkus really help me with difficult criminal case for Resisting Arrest and extremely bad traffic ticket for agrivated speeding . I would recommend this lawyer to anyone who are in deep trouble. I would love to say again THANK YOU mr Minkus for Excellent work on my case.
I had a conviction in my record that affect my ability to get my citizenship. Mr Johnatan came highly recommend from my immigration attorney and he was right. Mr Minkus went out of his way to get my conviction changed to the level that won't affect me anymore. I highly recommend his services.
Senior Partner Jonathan Minkus has successfully defended individuals charged with every conceivable criminal offense, from traffic misdemeanors to death-penalty eligible homicides.
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