Visas and pending criminal cases and ACDs

Frequently, non-citizens seeking American visas or renewal of current ones make the mistake of accepting seemingly excellent criminal dispositions without understanding the immigration consequences. For example, people arrested in New York for misdemeanor charges such as possession of marijuana (PL 221.05 or PL 221.10), trespass (PL 140.05 or 140.10), theft of services (PL 165.15), petit larceny/shoplifting (PL 155.25), or possession of a controlled substance (PL 220.03) often receive adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (“ACDs”) at their first court appearances. Under those scenarios, the case is automatically dismissed after a period of six months, assuming certain conditions are met. However, many non-citizens make the mistake of accepting these otherwise favorable dispositions (typically upon the advice of counsel) without recognizing that an American visa cannot be obtained or renewed during the six months “probationary period” of an ACD.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo regularly represent foreign citizens charged with misdemeanors in New York courts. As criminal counsel to the French Consulate and a regular representative of the nations of Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, their lawyers understand that a regular ACD cannot be accepted by some foreign citizens in cases in which it would be perfectly acceptable for citizens to accept them. The attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo have been successful on many occasions in convincing prosecutors to dismiss charges early in the interest of justice, so that people that have encountered minor arrests in New York can stay in New York, get visas to attend university, or continue to work in New York. If you or a loved one are a non-citizen facing criminal charges in New York (or if you made the mistake of accepting an ACD that you shouldn’t have accepted), you should strongly consider contacting the experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their multilingual attorneys can help you navigate the confusing issues facing non-citizens attempting to live, study and/or work in the New York while confronting criminal charges.