Serving Indio, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Coachella, La Quinta and beyond Felony Defense Attorney Indio

In 2007, Mr. Green, upon the advice of his public defender, pled guilty to a violation of 273(a)(a), a form of child endangerment. Because the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, client assumed he was safe for immigration purposes. He left the country several times over the years, raised his family, and for 11 years had no issues of any sort. Unfortunately, in 2018 he was detained while coming back into the United States after a family vacation due to this conviction. From another state, client contracted the Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz to represent him in post-conviction proceedings. Mr. De La Cruz reviewed the file, the court records, and the relevant law before filing a motion to vacate the conviction under Penal Code Section 1473.7 alleging that client had his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel violated. Mr. Green also alleged that his plea was not made knowingly and voluntarily as he did not fully understand the true immigration consequences of the plea. After a day-long tightly contested hearing, the presiding judge granted the motion based on a legal defect damaging clients ability to enter into the plea bargain knowingly and voluntarily. Due to this huge win, removal (deportation) proceedings against Mr. Green were terminated and he continues to reside with his family.

This example of the intersection between criminal and immigration law, is known as crim-imm, or “crimigration” and is a focal point of Mr. De La Cruz’ law practice

In 2002, Mr. Blue, a Legal Permanent Resident, pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code Section 273.6, commonly known as disobeying a court order related to a domestic violence charge. He was not sentenced to time in jail but was put on probation for 2 years. Years later, after marrying the protected party in the domestic violence case, and having 3 children with her, Mr. Blue was put into deportation proceedings as a result of this conviction. His immigration attorney correctly determined that, even though Mr. Blue had been living in the United States for over 30 years (since the age of 11), and had a family (all United States Citizens) who depended on him, this conviction rendered him ineligible to receive a Cancellation of Removal waiver in immigration court. In 2017, Mr. Blue retained the services of the Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz. After carefully analyzing all court records available and pertinent law, Attorney De La Cruz filed a motion to vacate the conviction under Penal Code Sections 1016.5 and 1473.7. Relief under Penal Code Sections 1016.5 was ultimately granted when the prosecution was not able to prove that Mr. Blue was fully advised of his rights at the time of the plea. Because of this, Mr. Blue was then statutorily eligible for Cancellation of Removal for Certain Non-Permanent Residents.

This example of the intersection between criminal and immigration law, is known as crim-imm, or “crimigration” and is a focal point of Mr. De La Cruz’ law practice.

In 2017 Ms. Red, a United States Citizen, was arrested for a suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, commonly referred to as a DUI. After reviewing the police report and accompanying video, Mr. De La Cruz was able to get the officer to admit several key facts that would have made the stop of the vehicle unlawful. Unfortunately, the trial court was not persuaded, even when the law was clear. Mr. De La Cruz was able to effectively articulate to the Court of Appeals that the officer in fact violated Ms. Red’s Fourth Amendment and reversed the trial court’s decision on appeal and suppressed all evidence obtained after the illegal stop. The prosecution was unable to proceed, and the charges against Ms. Red were dismissed- nearly two years after the arrest took place.

In 2019 Mr. Y was arrested for suspected violation of Vehicle Code Sections 23152(a) and 23152(b), commonly known as driving while under the influence. His blood-alcohol level was tested at nearly double the legal limit. Concerned with losing his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, and being subject to deportation, Mr. Y retained the Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz in order to defend him and mitigate the disastrous criminal/immigration consequences. Seeing a few legal defenses, Mr. De La Cruz worked with Mr. Y to show substantial rehabilitation, even before charges had officially been filed. Based on the equities, and the tremendous amount of rehabilitation shown by Mr. Y, the Supervising Assistant District Attorney agreed to substitute the charge to a violation of Vehicle Code Section Vehicle Code Section 23103 per Vehicle Code Section 23103.5, commonly known as a “wet reckless.” Mr. Y was able to keep his DACA status, and remains in the United States, working and providing for his family.

Mr. White, a long time legal permanent resident, had been convicted in 2012 for felony charge which was considered a crime involving moral turpitude. While he never served any actual jail time, because he was given a suspended sentence of two years, immigration authorities classified this as an “aggravated felony” in immigration court, for which deportation in mandatory. Mr. De La Cruz was hired to fight the immigration (deportation) case, and after careful analysis, realized that using Penal Code Section 17(b), combined with Penal Code Section 18.5, Mr. White was no longer deportable, and his case was administratively closed- meaning Mr. White was free to continue to live his life, lawfully in the United States with his family.

This example of the intersection between criminal and immigration law, is known as crim-imm, or “crimigration” and is a focal point of Mr. De La Cruz’ law practice.