Can you get deported for a DUI? - Blacks Law Dictionary
By James Hirby
Being convicted of a DUI can change your life dramatically. Regardless of whether you lose your privilege to drive, spend time in jail or end up being convicted of other crimes, you could be facing serious charges with a DUI looming over your head. Upon being arrested for a DUI, you will want to enlist the help of a qualified defense attorney to help understand what options you have available to you.
Even though many people have faced a DUI conviction, the problem with those who are in the county legally and illegally could wind up facing something much more than just time in jail or loss of a license. Criminal convictions could end up leading to deportation from the United States. Most of the time, the crimes that involve deportation are those that are of a violent nature. An aggravated felony is typically the time where the government will take matters into their own hands and send you back to your home country. Depending on the circumstances and the state in which you reside, you could be allowed to remain in the country with traditional consequences. On the other hand, you could be forced to leave the country because of your conviction.
Countless cases over the past few years have demonstrated how the local law enforcement officials and prosecutors are working together to deal with potential DUI convictions for those who are here illegally. State legislators are looking at enacting some type of measure that would revise the deportation process for immigrants that were convicted of a serious crime, especially that of drunk driving.
In the end, the decision is up to the jurisdiction where you reside, prosecutor, law enforcement officials and the judge. They have the option of choosing to send you out of the country or allowing you to remain here and serve time for your offense. The seriousness of the crime also comes into play with what type of actions they are going to take against you. Drunk driving is not something that states are letting slide because of the seriousness of the offense. Since you never can predict what is going to happen when you get behind the wheel drunk, there are consequences that must be put into place to safeguard those in the area. In reality, you could wind up being forced out of the country for making some bad decisions and getting behind the wheel.