Download - Resources Quick Reference Chart for Determining ...projectcitizenship.org/.../New-York-Crimes-Chart.pdf · Quick Reference Chart for Determining Immigration Consequences of Common

REPRESENTINGIM

MIGRANTDEFENDANTSINNEWYORK,5thEditionA-1

For i

nfor

mat

ion

on th

e ap

plic

abili

ty o

f the

se c

onse

quen

ces

to a

spe

cific

cat

egor

y of i

mm

igra

nts,

see

Cha

pter

3.

For d

etai

led

info

rmat

ion

on th

e fo

llowi

ng, s

ee a

pplic

able

sec

tions

: •

Aggr

avat

ed F

elon

y (A

F) d

epor

tabi

lity,

see

Appe

ndix

G, §

1 (

for

AF p

ract

ice

aids

and

sam

ple

case

law

dete

rmin

atio

ns, s

ee a

lso

Appe

ndix

C)•

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(CIM

T) d

epor

tabi

lity,

see

Appe

ndix

G, §

2, a

nd in

adm

issi

bilit

y, se

e Ap

pend

ix H,

§ 2

and

in b

oth

cont

exts

, see

Not

e on

CIM

T Of

fens

es, p

age

A-2

of th

is A

ppen

dix (

for C

IMT

sam

ple

case

law

dete

rmin

atio

ns, s

ee a

lso

Appe

ndix

D).

• Co

ntro

lled

Subs

tanc

e Of

fens

e (C

SO) d

epor

tabi

lity,

see

Appe

ndix

G, §

3, a

nd in

adm

issi

bilit

y, se

e Ap

pend

ix H,

§ 1

•

Crim

e Ag

ains

t Chi

ldre

n (C

AC) d

epor

tabi

lity,

see

Appe

ndix

G, §

5

• Cr

ime

Of D

omes

tic V

iole

nce

(COD

V) a

nd S

talk

ing

and

Viol

atio

n of

Pro

tect

ion

Orde

r dep

orta

bilit

y, se

e Ap

pend

ix G,

§ 5

•

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO)

dep

orta

bilit

y, se

e Ap

pend

ix G,

§ 4

•

Pros

titut

ion

and

com

mer

cial

ized

vice

inad

mis

sibi

lity,

see

Appe

ndix

H, §

4

Quic

k Re

fere

nce

Char

t fo

r De

term

inin

g Im

mig

rati

on

Cons

eque

nces

of

Com

mon

New

Yor

k Of

fens

esAP

PEND

IX

A

NOTE

! Thi

s ch

art p

rovi

des

an o

verv

iew

of th

e po

tent

ial i

mm

igra

tion

cons

eque

nces

of s

elec

t New

Yor

k St

ate

offe

nses

. Its

mai

n pu

rpos

e is

to w

arn

crim

inal

def

ense

atto

rney

s of

risk

y of

fens

es, s

o th

at th

ey m

ay a

dvis

e on

and

min

imize

imm

igra

tion

risks

to th

eir c

lient

s. T

he a

sses

smen

ts o

f wh

ethe

r a c

onvi

ctio

n wi

ll or

mig

ht tr

igge

r a p

artic

ular

imm

igra

tion

prov

isio

n ar

e th

eref

ore

cons

erva

tive—

they

tend

to e

rr on

the

side

of s

tatin

g th

at

an o

ffens

e wo

uld

fall

with

in a

par

ticul

ar c

ateg

ory (

for e

xam

ple,

agg

rava

ted

felo

ny).

Imm

igra

tion

prac

titio

ners

are

adv

ised

to c

ontin

ue c

halle

ngin

g de

sign

atio

ns o

f man

y of

fens

es a

s ag

grav

ated

felo

nies

, crim

es in

volv

ing

mor

al tu

rpitu

de, e

tc.,

even

if th

e ch

art l

ists

them

as

“pro

babl

y” o

r eve

n “d

efini

tely”

falli

ng in

to th

ose

cate

gorie

s.

This

cha

rt in

clud

es s

ome

stra

tegi

es a

nd ti

ps fo

r crim

inal

def

ense

atto

rney

s to

avo

id c

erta

in g

roun

ds o

f dep

orta

bilit

y and

inad

mis

sibi

lity,

but t

hese

st

rate

gies

and

tips

are

by n

o m

eans

exh

aust

ive. F

or a

dditi

onal

stra

tegi

es, s

ee C

hapt

er 5

.

This

res

ourc

e wa

s pu

blis

hed

in J

anua

ry 2

011

and

has

not b

een

upda

ted

sinc

e th

at ti

me.

Fed

eral

cou

rt an

d/or

age

ncy

deci

sion

s m

ay h

ave

rend

ered

som

e po

rtion

s in

corre

ct o

r inc

ompl

ete.

Thi

s ap

pend

ix is

offe

red

as a

sta

rting

poi

nt fo

r eva

luat

ion

of th

e im

mig

ratio

n co

nseq

uenc

es

of th

e lis

ted

crim

inal

offe

nses

and

not

as

a su

bstit

ute

for i

ndep

ende

nt le

gal r

esea

rch

in a

spe

cific

cas

e. P

leas

e se

e th

e Re

sour

ces,

New

s an

d Ev

ents

, and

Liti

gatio

n se

ctio

ns o

f our

web

site

(www

.imm

igra

ntde

fens

epro

ject

.org

) for

info

rmat

ion

on th

e m

ost r

ecen

t dev

elop

men

ts in

crim

inal

-im

mig

ratio

n la

w, a

nd c

onsu

lt th

e ID

P Ho

tline

at 2

12-7

25-6

422

for c

ase-

spec

ific

advi

ce.

A-2IM

MIGRANTDEFENSEPROJECT,January2011

APPENDIXA:QuICKREFERENCEChARTFORDETERMININGIMMIGRATIONCONSEQuENCESOFCOMMONNEWYORKOFFENSES

REPRESENTINGIM



NO

TE O

N C

IMT

OFF

ENSE

S

Nonc

itize

ns m

ay b

e de

porta

ble

or in

adm

issi

ble

upon

con

victio

n of

one

or

mor

e “c

rimes

invo

lving

mor

al t

urpi

tude

” (“

CIM

Ts”)

dep

endi

ng o

n th

eir

indi

vidua

l ci

rcum

stan

ces.

(See

gen

eral

ly Ch

apte

r 3 o

f thi

s M

anua

l). I

n M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I. &

N. D

ec. 6

87 (A

.G. 2

008)

, for

mer

Atto

rney

Gen

eral

Muk

asey

alte

red

the

met

hod

imm

igra

tion

auth

oriti

es m

ust u

se to

det

erm

ine

whet

her a

give

n st

ate

offe

nse

qual

ifies

as

a CI

MT.

Whi

le v

irtua

lly e

very

cou

rt ha

d pr

evio

usly

held

that

the

inqu

iry w

as “

cate

goric

al,”

focu

sing

onl

y on

the

min

imum

con

duct

requ

ired

to o

ffend

the

elem

ents

of t

he s

tatu

te a

nd ig

norin

g th

e pa

rticu

lar f

acts

und

erlyi

ng th

e de

fend

ant’s

con

victio

n, S

ilva-

Trev

ino

now

perm

its im

mig

ratio

n ju

dges

in c

erta

in c

ases

to e

xam

ine

evid

ence

out

side

the

reco

rd o

f con

victio

n, in

clud

ing

item

s su

ch

as p

olic

e re

ports

or e

ven

the

defe

ndan

t’s o

wn te

stim

ony,

to a

sses

s wh

ethe

r the

con

duct

und

erlyi

ng a

con

victio

n in

volve

d m

oral

turp

itude

.

In s

ome

case

s, S

ilva-

Trev

ino

may

mak

e it

mor

e di

fficu

lt to

pre

dict

whe

ther

a g

iven

crim

inal

offe

nse

will

late

r be

cons

ider

ed a

CIM

T, be

caus

e th

at a

nalys

is m

ay

turn

on

the

fact

s of

a p

artic

ular

cas

e, a

nd a

ple

a to

a s

tatu

te th

e el

emen

ts o

f whi

ch d

o no

t nec

essa

rily

cons

titut

e a

CIM

T m

ay n

o lo

nger

affo

rd p

rote

ctio

n ag

ains

t de

porta

bilit

y.

As o

f thi

s wr

iting

, the

met

hodo

logy

cre

ated

by S

ilva-

Trev

ino

has

been

reje

cted

by fi

ve fe

dera

l circ

uit c

ourts

of a

ppea

ls (t

he T

hird

, Fou

rth, F

ifth,

Nin

th a

nd E

leve

nth)

an

d af

firm

ed b

y tw

o (th

e Se

vent

h an

d Ei

ghth

). B

ecau

se it

s va

lidity

rem

ains

unc

erta

in, a

nd b

ecau

se it

is g

ener

ally

impo

ssib

le to

pre

dict

whe

re a

non

-citi

zen

conv

icte

d in

New

Yor

k m

ay e

vent

ually

be

subj

ecte

d to

adv

erse

imm

igra

tion

cons

eque

nces

, as

deta

iled

for p

artic

ular

offe

nses

in th

is A

ppen

dix,

def

ense

cou

nsel

sh

ould

con

serv

ativ

ely

assu

me

that

imm

igra

tion

auth

oriti

es m

ight

be

allo

wed

to c

onsi

der e

vide

nce

outs

ide

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

to d

eter

min

e th

e fa

cts

and

circ

umst

ance

s un

derly

ing

a gi

ven

conv

ictio

n an

d sh

ould

adv

ise

clie

nts

acco

rdin

gly.

• Af

ter S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

the

inqu

iry a

s to

som

e st

atut

es —

thos

e wh

ich

alwa

ys o

r nev

er in

volve

mor

al tu

rpitu

de —

rem

ains

pur

ely c

ateg

oric

al.

Whe

re th

e en

try

in

the

“CIM

T” c

olum

n of

this

App

endi

x st

ates

“Yes

” or “

No,”

it is

reas

onab

ly s

afe

to a

ssum

e th

at im

mig

ratio

n au

thor

ities

may

not

con

side

r the

par

ticul

ar

fact

s un

derly

ing

the

conv

ictio

n. W

here

the

entr

y st

ates

“May

be,”

“Pro

babl

y,” o

r “Pr

obab

ly N

OT” b

ut d

oes

not r

efer

the

read

er to

this

Not

e, th

e an

alys

is

is li

kely

to b

e ca

tego

rical

(tha

t is,

bas

ed o

nly

on th

e el

emen

ts o

f the

sta

tute

), bu

t IDP

can

not p

redi

ct w

ith c

erta

inty

wha

t the

resu

lt of

the

cate

goric

al

anal

ysis

will

be.

• W

here

exis

ting

CIM

T cas

elaw

mak

es cl

ear t

hat a

stat

ute

puni

shes

som

e of

fens

es th

at a

re C

IMTs

and

oth

ers t

hat a

re n

ot, it

is p

ossi

ble

that

the

parti

cula

r fac

ts

unde

rlyin

g th

e co

nvic

tion

will

be c

onsi

dere

d. F

or e

xam

ple,

it is

gen

eral

ly ag

reed

that

thef

t offe

nses

invo

lving

an

inte

nt to

per

man

ently

dep

rive

the

owne

r of

prop

erty

are

CIM

Ts w

hile

thos

e th

at p

unis

h an

inte

nt to

tem

pora

rily d

epriv

e ar

e no

t. In

the

case

of a

def

enda

nt w

ho p

lead

s gu

ilty t

o a

stat

ute

that

pun

ishe

s bo

th te

mpo

rary

and

per

man

ent t

akin

gs, a

utho

ritie

s m

ight

late

r con

sult

a po

lice

repo

rt, a

gra

tuito

us s

tate

men

t of f

acts

in a

ple

a co

lloqu

y, or

oth

er e

viden

ce

to d

eter

min

e wh

ich

form

of i

nten

t the

def

enda

nt w

as c

onvic

ted

of h

avin

g. W

here

the

entr

y in

the

“CIM

T” c

olum

n re

fers

to th

is N

ote,

imm

igra

tion

auth

ori-

ties

mig

ht c

onsi

der t

he p

artic

ular

fact

s un

derly

ing

the

conv

ictio

n in

juris

dict

ions

that

follo

w S

ilva-

Trev

ino.

For

thos

e st

atut

es, t

he ri

ght-h

and

“Com

men

ts,

Stra

tegi

es &

Tip

s” c

olum

n wi

ll su

gges

t som

e wa

ys th

at d

efen

se c

ouns

el c

an re

duce

the

risk

of c

onvic

tion

of a

CIM

T by

con

trove

rting

or a

void

ing

the

crea

tion

of p

oten

tially

har

mfu

l evid

ence

. •

Silva

-Trev

ino

mak

es it

nec

essa

ry to

pro

ceed

with

caut

ion

in th

e CI

MT

cont

ext.

Whe

re a

n en

try in

this

app

endi

x con

tain

s a re

fere

nce

to th

is N

ote,

it is

stro

ngly

re

com

men

ded

that

crim

inal

pra

ctiti

oner

s co

nsul

t App

endi

x L,

“Rec

ent D

evel

opm

ents

in th

e Ca

tego

rical

App

roac

h: T

ips

for C

rimin

al D

efen

se L

awye

rs

Repr

esen

ting

Imm

igra

nt C

lient

s.”

The

Adv

isor

y co

ntai

ns a

mor

e de

taile

d ex

plan

atio

n of

Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, s

teps

that

def

ense

cou

nsel

can

take

to c

orre

ctly

advis

e an

d pr

otec

t the

ir cl

ient

s, a

nd ti

ps fo

r pro

tect

ing

clie

nts

char

ged

with

com

mon

cat

egor

ies

of o

ffens

es th

at c

arry

a C

IMT

risk.

Pra

ctiti

oner

s sh

ould

als

o ch

eck

the

“Pra

ctic

e Ad

visor

ies”

pag

e an

d th

e “C

rimes

Invo

lving

Mor

al Tu

rpitu

de” t

ab o

f the

“Liti

gatio

n” p

age

of ID

P’s w

ebsi

te, w

ww.im

mde

fens

e.or

g, fo

r mor

e re

cent

upd

ates

.

A-2IM



REPRESENTINGIM



NEW

YO

RK

PEN

AL

LAW

OFF

ENSE

S(F

or N

ew Y

ork

Vehi

cle

and

Traf

fic L

aw o

ffens

es, s

ee th

e ch

art b

egin

ning

on

page

A-8

9)

Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

so

licita

tion

100.

00-

100.

13

Mig

ht b

e A

F if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

A

F.

Pro

babl

y if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

CIM

T.

Pro

babl

y C

SO

, etc

., if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

CS

O,

etc.

, but

ther

e is

som

e ca

se

law

sup

porti

ng a

con

trary

ar

gum

ent (

see

App

. E).

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

SO

, con

side

r alte

rnat

e pl

ea to

crim

inal

faci

litat

ion

(see

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8, b

elow

).

Con

spira

cy

105.

00-

105.

17

A co

nspi

racy

to c

omm

it A

F al

so is

AF.

A

cons

pira

cy to

co

mm

it C

IMT

prob

ably

is C

IMT

for d

epor

tabi

lity

purp

oses

and

tri

gger

s C

IMT

inad

mis

sibi

lity.

Is C

SO

or F

O if

und

erly

ing

offe

nse

is C

SO

or F

O.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

CIM

T, p

lead

to a

co

nspi

racy

to c

omm

it a

crim

e th

at re

quire

s a

men

s re

a of

reck

less

ness

or

less

. C

f. G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir. 2

005)

(bec

ause

a p

erso

n ca

nnot

inte

nd to

com

mit

a re

ckle

ss a

ct, a

n at

tem

pted

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh th

e co

mpl

eted

crim

e its

elf i

s C

IMT)

; Kna

pik

v. A

shcr

oft,

384

F.3d

84

(3d

Cir.

200

4) (s

ame

with

at-

tem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, 1s

t deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v. H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94,

302

(5th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.

Atte

mpt

11

0.00

A

n at

tem

pt to

com

mit

AF

also

is A

F.

An

atte

mpt

to

com

mit

CIM

T pr

obab

ly is

CIM

T fo

r dep

orta

bilit

y pu

rpos

es a

nd

trigg

ers

CIM

T in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Is C

SO

or F

O if

und

erly

ing

offe

nse

is C

SO

or F

O.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

CIM

T, p

lead

to a

n at

tem

pt to

com

mit

a cr

ime

that

requ

ires

a m

ens

rea

of re

ckle

ssne

ss o

r le

ss.

See

Gill

v. I

NS

, 420

F.3

d 82

(2d

Cir.

200

5) (b

ecau

se a

per

son

can-

not i

nten

d to

com

mit

a re

ckle

ss a

ct, a

n at

tem

pted

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh th

e co

mpl

eted

crim

e its

elf i

s C

IMT)

; K

napi

k v

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

re

ckle

ss e

ndan

germ

ent,

1st d

egre

e).

New

Yor

k co

urts

per

mit

such

“h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v. H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.C

rimin

al

faci

litat

ion

115.

00-

115.

08

Mig

ht b

e A

F if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

AF.

Pro

babl

y if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

CIM

T.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

, etc

., if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

CS

O,

etc.

, but

ther

e is

som

e ca

se

law

sup

porti

ng a

con

trary

ar

gum

ent (

see

App

. E).

A-4IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Ass

ault,

3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

00

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

sub

sect

ions

(1

) and

(2) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns

outs

ide

2d C

ircui

t.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT;

su

bsec

tion

(2)

is p

roba

bly

NO

T C

IMT,

esp

ecia

lly

whe

re o

ffens

e do

es n

ot in

volv

e us

e of

wea

pon

and

does

not

re

sult

in s

erio

us

phys

ical

inju

ry;

and

subs

ectio

n (3

) is

pro

babl

y N

OT

CIM

T. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

Sub

sect

ion

(3) i

s FO

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m. I

f the

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cur

rent

or

form

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, su

bsec

tions

(1) a

nd (2

) m

ight

be

CO

DV

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

and

5th

Circ

uits

. If r

ecor

d of

co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF

risk,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

2. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

see

k al

tern

ate

plea

to a

ttem

pted

reck

less

as

saul

t. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee

Dal

e v.

Hol

der,

610

F.3d

294

, 302

(5th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

. If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

hav

e cl

ient

ple

ad to

sub

sect

ion

(2) a

nd s

peci

fical

ly

nega

te s

erio

us in

jury

or u

se o

f wea

pon.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.3.

To

avoi

d FO

, hav

e cl

ient

ple

ad to

sub

sect

ion

(2).

4. T

o re

duce

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

def

eat r

emov

-ab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

or C

OD

V u

nder

any

sub

sect

ion.

S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; Chr

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(eve

n in

tent

iona

l infl

ictio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

n-tio

nal u

se o

f for

ce re

quire

d fo

r crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F de

finiti

on u

nder

18

US

C 1

6(a)

); U

.S. v

. Vill

egas

-Her

nand

ez, 4

68 F

.3d

874

(5th

Cir.

200

6)

(sam

e); T

ran

v. G

onza

les,

414

F.3

d 46

4 (3

rd C

ir. 2

005)

(rec

kles

snes

s is

no

t suf

ficie

nt to

be

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F).

2. P

rese

rve

argu

men

t tha

t sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s no

t CIM

T be

caus

e M

atte

r of

Sol

on, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 2

39 (B

IA 2

007)

was

wro

ngly

dec

ided

. S

ee, e

.g.,

Mat

ter o

f Gar

cia-

Her

nand

ez, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 5

90 (B

IA 2

003)

(sim

ple

bat-

tery

und

er C

al. P

enal

Law

242

hel

d no

t a C

IMT)

.3.

Sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd (3

) are

not

CIM

T. S

ee M

atte

r of F

uala

au, 2

1 I&

N D

ec. 4

75 (B

IA 1

996)

; Mat

ter o

f Per

ez-C

ontre

ras,

20

I&N

Dec

. 615

(B

IA 1

992)

.R

eckl

ess

assa

ult o

f a

child

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

02If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, p

roba

bly

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Yes.

Is a

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of s

ubse

ctio

n (2

) of A

ssau

lt, 3

rd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

120.

00(2

)) if

pos

sibl

e.3.

To

avoi

d C

AC

, con

side

r ple

a to

alte

rnat

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not

spec

ify m

inor

ity o

f com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent a

nd k

eep

min

ority

of c

om-

plai

nant

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion.

A-4IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Ass

ault,

2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

05

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

sub

sect

ions

(1

), (2

), (3

) and

(7)

pr

obab

ly a

re

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F an

d an

y ot

her s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF.

Sub

sect

ions

(1

), (2

), (3

) and

(4

) are

CIM

T.

Sub

sect

ions

(8),

(9) a

nd 1

0(b)

pr

obab

ly a

re C

IMT

and

any

othe

r su

bsec

tion

mig

ht

be C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd

(4) a

re F

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

of

fens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

. S

ubse

ctio

ns (8

) and

(9) a

re

CA

C.

Sub

sect

ion

(10)

(b)

mig

ht b

e a

CA

C a

nd o

ther

su

bsec

tions

mig

ht b

e C

AC

if

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

. If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

subs

ectio

ns (1

), (2

), (3

), (6

) and

(7) m

ight

be

CO

DV

(a

nd s

ubse

ctio

n (4

) mig

ht

be C

OD

V in

juris

dict

ions

ou

tsid

e 2d

Circ

uit).

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

n at

tem

pt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it su

bsec

tion

(4) o

f PL1

20.0

5. S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20

F.3d

82

(2d

Cir.

200

5) (b

ecau

se a

per

son

cann

ot in

tend

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt co

uld

not c

onst

itute

CIM

T ev

en th

ough

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, 1s

t de

gree

). N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee

Dal

e v.

Hol

der,

610

F.3d

294

, 302

(5th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.3.

To

redu

ce C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot d

efea

t rem

ov-

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

or C

OD

V u

nder

var

ious

sub

sec-

tions

. S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; Gar

cia

v. G

onza

les,

455

F.3

d 4

65

(4th

Cir.

200

6) (1

20.0

5(4)

, req

uirin

g re

ckle

ss c

ondu

ct, i

s no

t CO

V);

Chr

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(eve

n in

tent

iona

l in

flict

ion

of in

jury

doe

s no

t equ

al th

e in

tent

iona

l use

of f

orce

requ

ired

for

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F de

finiti

on u

nder

18

US

C 1

6(a)

); Jo

bson

v. A

shcr

oft,

326

F.3d

367

(2d

Cir.

200

3) (N

Y re

ckle

ss m

ansl

augh

ter i

s no

t CO

V);

Jim

enez

-Gon

zale

z v.

Muk

asey

, 548

F.3

d 55

7 (7

th C

ir. 2

008)

(rec

kles

s-ne

ss is

not

suf

ficie

nt to

be

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.A

ssau

lt on

a

peac

e of

ficer

, po

lice

offic

er,

etc.

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

120.

08

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF.

Pro

babl

y.

A-6IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Ass

ault,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

120.

10

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

sub

sect

ions

(1)

and

(2) p

roba

bly

are

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F an

d su

bsec

tions

(3)

and

(4) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

and

(3) a

re C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) is

prob

ably

CIM

T an

d su

bsec

tion

(4)

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s FO

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m. I

f th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht a

lso

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

, co

nvic

tion

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o pr

eser

ve a

rgum

ent t

hat c

onvi

ctio

n un

der t

his

stat

ute

mig

ht n

ot b

e A

F, k

eep

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

clea

r of m

entio

n of

whi

ch s

ubse

ctio

n de

fend

ant h

as b

een

char

ged

and

conv

icte

d un

der.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue th

at s

ubse

ctio

n (3

) is

not a

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F be

caus

e it

requ

ires

mer

ely

reck

less

con

duct

. S

ee J

imen

ez-G

onza

lez

v. M

ukas

ey,

548

F.3d

557

(7th

Cir.

200

8) (r

eckl

essn

ess

is n

ot s

uffic

ient

to b

e cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

2. A

rgue

that

sub

sect

ion

(4) l

acks

a s

peci

fic in

tent

to c

ause

inju

ry a

nd

is th

eref

ore

not a

CIM

T.

Agg

rava

ted

assa

ult u

pon

a po

lice

offic

er o

r pe

ace

offic

er

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

120.

11

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

Yes.

FO

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at o

ffens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

.

Agg

rava

ted

assa

ult u

pon

a pe

rson

less

th

an e

leve

n ye

ars

old

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

120.

12

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore

and

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

show

s cr

ime

com

mitt

ed is

ass

ault

as d

efine

d un

der

subs

ectio

n (1

) or (

2)

of P

L 12

0.00

, mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

ou

tsid

e 2d

Circ

uit.

May

be d

epen

ding

on

sub

sect

ion

of 3

rd d

egre

e as

saul

t und

er

whi

ch d

efen

dant

is

cha

rged

(see

ab

ove,

PL

120.

00).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Is a

CA

C.

Pro

babl

y FO

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

und

erly

ing

offe

nse

was

120

.00(

3)

(neg

ligen

t ass

ault

with

w

eapo

n) a

nd in

volv

ed a

fir

earm

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent a

gain

st C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

n at

tem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

120.

12 b

ased

on

an u

nder

ly-

ing

PL

120.

00(2

) (re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt). S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir. 2

005)

(bec

ause

a p

erso

n ca

nnot

inte

nd to

com

mit

a re

ckle

ss a

ct,

an a

ttem

pted

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, 1s

t deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v.

Hol

der,

610

F.3d

294

, 302

(5th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.3.

To

avoi

d C

AC

, con

side

r ple

a to

alte

rnat

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not s

pec-

ify m

inor

ity o

f com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent a

nd k

eep

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

clea

r of c

ompl

aina

nt’s

min

ority

.

A-6IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Men

acin

g, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

120.

13

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore

and

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) sh

ows

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

sub

sect

ion

(1) o

f PL

120.

14,

prob

ably

is “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF.

If R

OC

sh

ows

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

sub

sect

ion

(2) o

f PL

120.

14,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF.

If te

rm

of im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

even

if c

rime

com

es

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(3)

of P

L 12

0.14

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

Circ

uit.

Pro

babl

y.M

ay b

e FO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n (R

OC

) sho

ws

that

the

crim

e co

mm

itted

is

men

acin

g as

defi

ned

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(1) o

f P

L 12

0.14

and

that

the

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht a

lso

be

CO

DV.

Mig

ht a

lso

trigg

er

depo

rtabi

lity

unde

r CO

DV

cl

ause

rega

rdin

g “c

rime

of

stal

king

.” If

RO

C s

how

s th

at

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

, co

nvic

tion

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

def

eat r

emov

-ab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

A-8IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Men

acin

g, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

14

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

subs

ectio

n (1

) pro

babl

y is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF,

sub

sect

ion

(2)

mig

ht b

e cr

ime

of

viol

ence

AF,

and

su

bsec

tion

(3) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns

outs

ide

2d C

ircui

t.

Pro

babl

y.S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) may

be

FO if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m. I

f the

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cur

rent

or

form

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

als

o be

CO

DV.

A

conv

ictio

n m

ight

als

o tri

gger

dep

orta

bilit

y un

der

CO

DV

cla

use

rega

rdin

g “c

rime

of s

talk

ing,

” and

su

bsec

tion

(3) m

ight

tri

gger

dep

orta

bilit

y un

der

CO

DV

cla

use

rega

rdin

g “v

iola

tors

of p

rote

ctio

n or

ders

.” If

the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

3. T

o m

inim

ize

FO ri

sk, k

eep

reco

rd c

lear

of s

ubse

ctio

n of

con

vict

ion

and/

or o

f men

tion

of ty

pe o

f wea

pon

or d

ange

rous

inst

rum

ent e

mpl

oyed

un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at th

e st

atut

e is

not

“div

isib

le” a

s to

FO

offe

nse

beca

use

no

subs

ectio

n re

quire

s us

e of

fire

arm

as

an e

lem

ent.

See

Lan

ferm

an v

. B

IA, 5

76 F

.3d

84 (2

d C

ir. 2

009)

.

Men

acin

g,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

15

No.

M

aybe

. If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

mig

ht b

e C

OD

V in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns o

utsi

de 2

d C

ircui

t. M

ight

als

o tri

gger

de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

se re

gard

ing

“crim

e of

st

alki

ng.”

If th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

, co

nvic

tion

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at th

e of

fens

e pu

nish

es c

ondu

ct e

quiv

alen

t to

a “s

impl

e as

saul

t” an

d is

ther

efor

e no

t a C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Sol

on, 2

4 I&

N D

ec.

239,

244

n.5

(BIA

200

7).

Men

acin

g a

polic

e of

ficer

or

pea

ce o

f-fic

er

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

18If

sent

ence

of o

ne y

ear

or m

ore

is im

pose

d,

is p

roba

bly

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.M

ay b

e FO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m.

A-8IM



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Rec

kles

s en

dang

erm

ent,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

20

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

Circ

uit.

May

be.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

Circ

uit.

If th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

, m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

2. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent a

gain

st C

IMT,

ple

ad to

an

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it P

L 12

0.20

. S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir.

2005

) (be

caus

e a

pers

on c

anno

t int

end

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt co

uld

not c

onst

itute

CIM

T ev

en th

ough

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, fir

st d

egre

e).

New

Yor

k co

urts

per

mit

such

“hyp

othe

tical

offe

nse”

ple

as.

See

Dal

e v.

H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

thth

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

or C

OD

V. S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; Chr

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(eve

n in

ten-

tiona

l infl

ictio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce re

-qu

ired

for c

rime

of v

iole

nce

AF

defin

ition

und

er 1

8 U

SC

16(

a));

Jim

enez

-G

onza

lez

v. M

ukas

ey, 5

48 F

.3d

557

(7th

Cir.

200

8) (r

eckl

essn

ess

is n

ot

suffi

cien

t to

be c

rime

of v

iole

nce

AF)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

Rec

kles

s en

dang

erm

ent,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

25

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

but

prob

ably

not

.

Pro

babl

y.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht b

e C

OD

V. I

f the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

risk

of A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

da

ys o

r les

s) if

pos

sibl

e.2.

To

pres

erve

an

argu

men

t aga

inst

CIM

T, p

lead

to a

n at

tem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

120.

25.

See

Gill

v. I

NS

, 420

F.3

d 82

(2d

Cir.

20

05) (

beca

use

a pe

rson

can

not i

nten

d to

com

mit

a re

ckle

ss a

ct, a

n at

tem

pted

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh th

e co

mpl

eted

crim

e its

elf i

s C

IMT)

; Kna

pik

v. A

shcr

oft,

384

F.3d

84

(3d

Cir.

200

4) (s

ame

with

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss e

ndan

germ

ent,

first

deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v.

Hol

der,

610

F.3d

294

, 302

(5th

Cir.

201

0) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).

(Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

on

next

pag

e)

A-10IMMIGRANTDEFENSEPROJECT,January2011


REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

(con

tinue

d)

Rec

kles

s en

dang

erm

ent,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

25(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

) (s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(c

ontin

ued)

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

or C

OD

V. S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; Chr

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(eve

n in

tent

iona

l infl

ictio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce

requ

ired

for c

rime

of v

iole

nce

AF

defin

ition

und

er 1

8 U

SC

16(

a));

Jobs

on

v. A

shcr

oft,

326

F.3d

367

(2d

Cir.

200

3) (N

Y re

ckle

ss m

ansl

augh

ter i

s no

t CIM

T); J

imen

ez-G

onza

lez

v. M

ukas

ey, 5

48 F

.3d

557

(7th

Cir.

200

8)

(rec

kles

snes

s is

not

suf

ficie

nt to

be

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F) (c

olle

ctin

g ca

ses)

.S

talk

ing,

4t

h de

gree

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

45

No.

M

aybe

. P

roba

bly

trigg

ers

depo

rtabi

lity

as a

“crim

e of

st

alki

ng.”

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

was

a c

urre

nt o

r for

mer

sp

ouse

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

al

so b

e C

OD

V in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns o

utsi

de 2

d C

ircui

t. If

the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

sta

lkin

g” C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct o

r Tre

spas

s (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20

& 1

40.0

5).

To m

inim

ize

CA

C ri

sk if

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

kee

p m

inor

ity o

f co

mpl

aina

nt o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n.

Sta

lkin

g, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

120.

50

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

sub

sect

ion

(3)

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

and

subs

ectio

ns (1

), (2

) and

(4

) mig

ht a

lso

be “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

Circ

uit i

f RO

C s

how

s cr

ime

com

mitt

ed c

omes

un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) of

PL

120.

45.

Pro

babl

y.

Pro

babl

y tri

gger

s de

porta

bilit

y as

a “c

rime

of

stal

king

.” If

the

com

plai

nant

w

as a

cur

rent

or f

orm

er

spou

se o

r sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht a

lso

be

CO

DV.

If t

he re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

com

plai

nant

was

a c

hild

, co

nvic

tion

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

).2.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

or T

resp

ass

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

& 1

40.0

5); i

f tha

t is

not

poss

ible

and

if c

lient

has

no

prio

r CIM

Ts, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

at

tem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

155.

25, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

no

t trig

ger d

epor

tabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5 y

ears

of a

dmis

sion

.”3.

To

avoi

d “c

rime

of s

talk

ing”

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as D

isor

derly

Con

duct

or T

resp

ass

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

&

140

.05)

. To

min

imiz

e C

AC

risk

if th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, k

eep

min

ority

of

com

plai

nant

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Sta

lkin

g, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

120.

55

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s FO

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m. A

ny

subs

ectio

n pr

obab

ly tr

igge

rs

depo

rtabi

lity

as a

“crim

e of

st

alki

ng.”

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

was

a c

urre

nt o

r for

mer

sp

ouse

or s

imila

rly s

ituat

ed

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

als

o be

C

OD

V. I

f the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

If t

his

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to re

duce

risk

of A

F, a

void

con

-vi

ctio

n un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

), su

bpar

agra

ph (i

) (in

volv

ing

thre

aten

ed u

se,

as o

ppos

ed to

mer

e di

spla

y, o

f wea

pon)

.2.

If a

wea

pon

(but

not

a g

un) w

as in

volv

ed, t

o av

oid

CO

DV

or C

AC

ris

ks, c

onsi

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

).

Sta

lkin

g, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

120.

60

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) mig

ht

also

be

“rap

e, o

r sex

ual

abus

e of

a m

inor

” AF.

Pro

babl

y.

Wou

ld p

roba

bly

trigg

er

depo

rtabi

lity

as a

“crim

e of

sta

lkin

g” o

r, if

the

com

plai

nant

was

a c

urre

nt

or fo

rmer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

a C

OD

V. I

f the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o av

oid

“rap

e, o

r sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or” A

F ris

k, a

void

sub

sec-

tion

(2) i

f pos

sibl

e.

Crim

inal

ly

negl

igen

t ho

mic

ide

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

125.

10

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Agg

rava

ted

crim

inal

ly

negl

igen

t ho

mic

ide

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

125.

11N

o.P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Vehi

cula

r man

-sl

augh

ter,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

125.

12

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Vehi

cula

r m

ansl

augh

ter,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

125.

13

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) i

s pr

obab

ly C

IMT

and

othe

r sub

sect

ions

m

ight

be

CIM

Ts.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

of C

rimin

ally

N

eglig

ent H

omic

ide

or V

ehic

ular

Man

slau

ghte

r, 2n

d (s

ee a

bove

, PL

125.

10 &

125

.12)

.

Agg

rava

ted

vehi

cula

r ho

mic

ide

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

125.

14If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

a “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

out

side

2d

Cir.

Pro

babl

y.Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

decr

ease

AF

and

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es o

f C

rimin

ally

Neg

ligen

t Hom

icid

e or

Veh

icul

ar M

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

degr

ee

(see

abo

ve, P

L 12

5.10

& 1

25.1

2).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

See

Leo

cal v

. Ash

crof

t, 54

3 U

.S.

1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; C

hrza

nosk

i v. A

shcr

oft,

327

F.3d

188

(2d

Cir.

200

3) (e

ven

inte

ntio

nal

infli

ctio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce re

quire

d fo

r cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF

defin

ition

und

er 1

8 U

SC

16(

a));

Jim

enez

-Gon

zale

z v.

Muk

asey

, 548

F.3

d 55

7 (7

th C

ir. 2

008)

(rec

kles

snes

s is

not

suf

ficie

nt

to b

e cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

Man

slau

ghte

r, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

125.

15

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s N

OT

AF

in 2

d C

ircui

t, bu

t if

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns

outs

ide

2d C

ircui

t. If

te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e is

im

pose

d, s

ubse

ctio

ns

(2) a

nd (3

) mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT;

sub

sect

ions

(2

) and

(3) m

ight

be

CIM

T.

If th

e vi

ctim

was

a c

urre

nt o

r fo

rmer

spo

use

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

be

CO

DV

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

ou

tsid

e 2d

Circ

uit.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at v

ictim

was

a

child

, mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF

and

CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

crim

inal

ly

negl

igen

t hom

icid

e (P

L 12

5.10

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

Tip

1 is

not

pos

sibl

e an

d in

cide

nt in

volv

ed a

car

, to

avoi

d A

F ris

k co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as V

ehic

ular

Man

slau

ghte

r, 2n

d or

1s

t deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 12

5.12

& 1

25.1

3) o

r Lea

ving

the

Sce

ne o

f an

Inci

dent

With

out R

epor

ting

(see

bel

ow, V

TL 6

00(2

)).

3. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent a

gain

st C

IMT,

ple

ad to

an

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it 12

5.15

. S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir. 2

005)

(b

ecau

se a

per

son

cann

ot in

tend

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh th

e co

mpl

eted

cr

ime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(s

ame

with

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss e

ndan

germ

ent,

first

deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v. H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

4. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

(Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

con

tinue

d on

nex

t pag

e)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

or C

OD

V. S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; Chr

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(eve

n in

tent

iona

l infl

ictio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce

requ

ired

for c

rime

of v

iole

nce

AF

defin

ition

und

er 1

8 U

SC

16(

a));

Jobs

on

v. A

shcr

oft,

326

F.3d

367

(2d

Cir.

200

3) (N

Y re

ckle

ss m

ansl

augh

ter i

s no

t CO

V);

Jim

enez

-Gon

zale

z v.

Muk

asey

, 548

F.3

d 55

7 (7

th C

ir. 2

008)

(r

eckl

essn

ess

is n

ot s

uffic

ient

to b

e cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

Man

slau

ghte

r, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

125.

20

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

sub

sect

ions

(1

) and

(2) a

re “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in 2

d C

ircui

t, an

d su

bsec

tions

(3

) and

(4) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Sub

sect

ions

(1),

(2) a

nd (4

) are

C

IMT;

sub

sect

ion

(3) m

ight

be

CIM

T.

If th

e vi

ctim

was

a c

urre

nt o

r fo

rmer

spo

use

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

the

vict

im w

as a

chi

ld,

conv

ictio

n m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF

and

CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

crim

inal

ly

negl

igen

t hom

icid

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

125.

10) i

f pos

sibl

e.2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

inci

dent

invo

lved

a c

ar, t

o av

oid

AF

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Veh

icul

ar M

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

or

1st d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

125.

12 &

125

.13)

or L

eavi

ng th

e S

cene

of a

n In

cide

nt W

ithou

t Rep

ortin

g (s

ee b

elow

, VTL

600

(2))

.3.

If T

ips

1 an

d 2

are

not p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

AF

risk

cons

ider

alte

r-na

tive

offe

nse

of M

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 12

5.15

).4.

To

pres

erve

an

argu

men

t aga

inst

CIM

T, p

lead

to a

n at

tem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

125.

10(4

) if p

ossi

ble.

See

Gill

v. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir. 2

005)

(bec

ause

a p

erso

n ca

nnot

inte

nd to

com

mit

a re

ckle

ss a

ct,

an a

ttem

pted

reck

less

ass

ault

coul

d no

t con

stitu

te C

IMT

even

thou

gh

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, 1s

t deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. See

Dal

e v.

H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

5. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

(Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

con

tinue

d on

nex

t pag

e)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

(con

tinue

d)

Man

slau

ghte

r, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

125.

20(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(c

ontin

ued)

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (4

) is

not “

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F or

CO

DV.

See

Le

ocal

v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

le

ast r

eckl

ess

men

s re

a); C

hrza

nosk

i v. A

shcr

oft,

327

F.3d

188

(2d

Cir.

20

03) (

even

inte

ntio

nal i

nflic

tion

of in

jury

doe

s no

t equ

al th

e in

tent

iona

l us

e of

forc

e re

quire

d fo

r crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F de

finiti

on u

nder

18

US

C

16(a

)); J

obso

n v.

Ash

crof

t, 32

6 F.

3d 3

67 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(NY

reck

less

m

ansl

augh

ter i

s no

t CO

V);

Jim

enez

-Gon

zale

z v.

Muk

asey

, 548

F.3

d 55

7 (7

th C

ir. 2

008)

(rec

kles

snes

s is

not

suf

ficie

nt to

be

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F)

(col

lect

ing

case

s)A

ggra

vate

d m

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

125.

21If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Yes.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

the

risk

of A

F, c

onsi

der l

esse

r offe

nse

of a

ggra

vate

d cr

imin

ally

neg

ligen

t hom

icid

e (P

L 12

5.11

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent a

gain

st C

IMT,

ple

ad to

an

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it 12

5.21

if p

ossi

ble.

See

Gill

v. I

NS

, 420

F.3

d 82

(2d

Cir.

200

5) (b

ecau

se a

per

son

cann

ot in

tend

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt co

uld

not c

onst

itute

CIM

T ev

en th

ough

th

e co

mpl

eted

crim

e its

elf i

s C

IMT)

; Kna

pik

v. A

shcr

oft,

384

F.3d

84

(3d

Cir.

200

4) (s

ame

with

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss e

ndan

germ

ent,

1st d

egre

e).

New

Yor

k co

urts

per

mit

such

“hyp

othe

tical

offe

nse”

ple

as.

See

Dal

e v.

H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

See

Leo

cal v

. Ash

crof

t, 54

3 U

.S.

1 (2

004)

(crim

e of

vio

lenc

e A

F re

quire

s at

leas

t rec

kles

s m

ens

rea)

; C

hrza

nosk

i v. A

shcr

oft,

327

F.3d

188

(2d

Cir.

200

3) (e

ven

inte

ntio

nal

infli

ctio

n of

inju

ry d

oes

not e

qual

the

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce re

quire

d fo

r cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF

defin

ition

und

er 1

8 U

SC

16(

a));

Jobs

on v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

6 F.

3d 3

67 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(NY

reck

less

man

slau

ghte

r is

not C

OV

); Ji

men

ez-G

onza

lez

v. M

ukas

ey, 5

48 F

.3d

557

(7th

Cir.

200

8) (r

eckl

ess-

ness

is n

ot s

uffic

ient

to b

e cr

ime

of v

iole

nce

AF)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

Agg

rava

ted

man

slau

ghte

r, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

125.

22If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, is

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F

Yes.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

the

risk

of A

F, c

onsi

der l

esse

r offe

nses

of a

ggra

vate

d cr

imin

ally

neg

ligen

t hom

icid

e (P

L 12

5.11

) or,

faili

ng th

at, a

ggra

vate

d m

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

degr

ee (P

L 12

5.21

).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Mur

der,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

125.

25

Yes.

Ye

s.

If th

e vi

ctim

was

a c

urre

nt o

r fo

rmer

spo

use

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

Sub

sect

ion

(5) i

s C

AC

and

oth

er s

ubse

ctio

ns

mig

ht b

e if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

min

ority

of v

ictim

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

rimin

ally

Neg

ligen

t Ho-

mic

ide

(see

abo

ve, P

L 12

5.20

) if p

ossi

ble,

or f

ailin

g th

at, M

ansl

augh

ter,

2nd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 12

5.20

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o pr

eser

ve a

n ar

gum

ent a

gain

st C

IMT,

ple

ad to

an

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it 12

5.25

(2) o

r (4)

. S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S, 4

20 F

.3d

82 (2

d C

ir.

2005

) (be

caus

e a

pers

on c

anno

t int

end

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt co

uld

not c

onst

itute

CIM

T ev

en th

ough

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir.

2004

) (sa

me

with

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss e

ndan

germ

ent,

1st d

egre

e).

Agg

rava

ted

mur

der

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

125.

26Ye

s.Ye

s.S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) is

CA

C.

If th

e vi

ctim

was

a c

urre

nt o

r fo

rmer

spo

use

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

Mur

der,

1st

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

125.

27

Yes.

Ye

s.

If th

e vi

ctim

was

a c

urre

nt o

r fo

rmer

spo

use

or s

imila

rly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

Mig

ht b

e C

AC

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

min

ority

of

vict

im.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Sex

ual

mis

cond

uct

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

130.

20

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

and

(2) a

re “s

exua

l ab

use

of m

inor

” A

F in

2d

Cir.

whe

re

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

lack

of

con

sent

resu

lts fr

om

com

plai

nant

bei

ng

unde

r 17

and

mig

ht

othe

rwis

e be

“rap

e,

or s

exua

l abu

se o

f a

min

or” A

F in

2d

Cir.

and

ot

her j

uris

dict

ions

.If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, m

ight

als

o be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F,

espe

cial

ly w

here

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

lack

of c

onse

nt

aris

es fr

om fo

rcib

le

com

puls

ion

unde

r PL

130.

05(2

)(a)

).

Sub

sect

ion

(3)

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) an

d (2

) are

CIM

T if

lack

of c

onse

nt

resu

lts o

nly

from

ag

e of

com

plai

nant

an

d de

fend

ant

knew

or s

houl

d ha

ve k

now

n co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

, and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

the

lack

of c

onse

nt w

as

esta

blis

hed

on th

e ba

sis

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

un

der s

even

teen

yea

rs o

ld

purs

uant

to P

L 13

0.05

(3)

(a),

mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

decr

ease

risk

of “

sexu

al a

buse

of a

min

or”

AF

unde

r sub

sect

ions

(1) a

nd (2

), if

at a

ll po

ssib

le c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not h

ave

sexu

al c

ondu

ct a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime,

su

ch a

s E

ndan

gerin

g th

e W

elfa

re o

f a C

hild

, Unl

awfu

lly D

ealin

g W

ith

a C

hild

, 1st

deg

ree,

or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10, 2

60.2

0(2)

and

135

.05)

. If t

hat’s

not

pos

sibl

e, p

lead

to a

ltern

a-tiv

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not h

ave

the

min

or a

ge o

f the

com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e or

as

a de

finiti

on o

f “w

ithou

t con

sent

”, su

ch a

s Fo

rcib

le T

ouch

ing

(see

bel

ow, 1

30.5

2).

In a

ny e

vent

, try

to k

eep

out o

f th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at th

e co

m-

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

.2.

Reg

ardl

ess

of c

ompl

aina

nt’s

age

, to

avoi

d cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

risk,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

4. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k w

here

lack

of c

onse

nt re

sults

onl

y fro

m a

ge o

f co

mpl

aina

nt, s

peci

fy in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

com

-pl

aina

nt’s

age

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id a

dmis

sion

or

oth

er e

vide

nce

of s

uch

know

ledg

e. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Whe

re la

ck o

f con

sent

resu

lts o

nly

from

min

ority

of c

ompl

aina

nt,

argu

e of

fens

e is

not

cat

egor

ical

ly C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n do

es n

ot

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; Mat

ter o

f S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Rap

e, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

130.

25S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) is

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

m

inor

” AF

in 2

d C

ir. a

nd

mig

ht b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F in

oth

er

juris

dict

ions

, pa

rticu

larly

if th

e re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

un

der t

he a

ge o

f 16.

Sub

sect

ions

(1) a

nd (3

) m

ight

be

“rap

e” A

F. I

f te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e,

any

subs

ectio

n is

pr

obab

ly “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

in 2

d C

ir.

and

mig

ht b

e in

oth

er

juris

dict

ions

.

Yes,

unl

ess

lack

of c

onse

nt

aris

es o

nly

from

co

mpl

aina

nt’s

age

, in

whi

ch c

ase

is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

com

plai

nant

was

a

min

or, a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, pro

babl

y is

C

OD

V. S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) m

ight

be

CA

C a

nd if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a m

inor

, ot

her s

ubse

ctio

ns m

ight

be

CA

C

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“rap

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

this

of

fens

e al

toge

ther

. If t

hat’s

not

pos

sibl

e, to

avo

id “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

risk,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

2. If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

decr

ease

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or”

AF

risk,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (2

) and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

sexu

al c

ondu

ct a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime,

su

ch a

s E

ndan

gerin

g th

e W

elfa

re o

f a C

hild

(see

bel

ow, P

L 26

0.10

), U

nlaw

fully

Dea

ling

With

a C

hild

, 1st

deg

ree

(see

bel

ow, P

L 26

0.20

(2))

, or

Unl

awfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent,

2nd

or 1

st (s

ee b

elow

, PL

135.

05 &

135

.10)

. If

that

’s n

ot p

ossi

ble,

ple

ad to

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

that

doe

s no

t hav

e th

e m

inor

age

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime

or a

s a

defin

ition

of “

with

out c

onse

nt,”

such

as

Forc

ible

Tou

chin

g (s

ee b

elow

P

L 13

0.52

). In

any

eve

nt, t

ry to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or.

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

4. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k w

here

lack

of c

onse

nt re

sults

onl

y fro

m a

ge

of c

ompl

aina

nt, s

peci

fy in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or (s

ee P

L 15

.20(

3)).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

void

ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

suc

h kn

owle

dge.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Whe

re la

ck o

f con

sent

resu

lts o

nly

from

min

ority

of c

ompl

aina

nt,

argu

e of

fens

e is

not

cat

egor

ical

ly C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n do

es n

ot

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; Mat

ter o

f S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Rap

e, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

130.

30S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) pro

babl

y is

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF

and

subs

ectio

n (2

) mig

ht b

e “r

ape,

or s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or”

AF.

If t

erm

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or m

ore,

ei

ther

sub

sect

ion

is p

roba

bly

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F in

2d

Cir.

and

mig

ht b

e el

sew

here

.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) i

s C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT

if de

fend

ant

knew

or s

houl

d ha

ve k

now

n co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

, and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, pro

babl

y is

C

OD

V. S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) m

ight

be

CA

C a

nd if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a m

inor

, ot

her s

ubse

ctio

ns m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“rap

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

this

of

fens

e al

toge

ther

. If

that

’s n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

os-

sibl

e.2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “se

xual

abu

se o

f a

min

or” A

F, if

at a

ll po

ssib

le a

void

sub

sect

ion

(1) a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e se

xual

con

duct

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e,

such

as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10),

Unl

awfu

lly D

ealin

g W

ith a

Chi

ld, 1

st d

egre

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

20(2

))

or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(se

e be

low

, PL

135.

05 &

135

.10)

. If

that

’s n

ot p

ossi

ble,

ple

ad to

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

that

doe

s no

t hav

e th

e m

inor

age

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime

or a

s a

defin

ition

of “

with

out c

onse

nt”)

, suc

h as

For

cibl

e To

uchi

ng (s

ee b

elow

, P

L 13

0.52

) or e

ven

Bur

glar

y in

the

3rd D

egre

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

140.

20).

In a

ny e

vent

, try

to k

eep

out o

f the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on o

r ot

her e

vide

nce

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).4.

To

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(1),

spec

ify in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id a

dmis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

suc

h kn

owl-

edge

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8)R

ape,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

130.

35Ye

s, “r

ape,

or s

exua

l ab

use

of a

min

or” A

FS

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) an

d (2

) are

CIM

T.

Sub

sect

ions

(3)

and

(4) a

re C

IMT

if de

fend

ant

knew

or s

houl

d ha

ve k

now

n co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, pr

obab

ly is

CO

DV.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) and

(4) a

re

prob

ably

CA

C a

nd if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a m

inor

, ot

her s

ubse

ctio

ns m

ight

be

CA

C

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) and

(4) a

re n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 6

87, 7

07 (A

.G. 2

008)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

S

exua

l Act

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

130.

40S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) pr

obab

ly is

“sex

ual

abus

e of

a m

inor

” AF,

pa

rticu

larly

if th

e re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

is u

nder

the

age

of 1

6.

Sub

sect

ions

(1) a

nd

(3) m

ight

be

“rap

e”

AF.

Any

sub

sect

ion

mig

ht a

lso

be “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

if te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) an

d (3

) are

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

com

plai

nant

was

a

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, pro

babl

y is

C

OD

V. S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) m

ight

be

CA

C a

nd if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a m

inor

, ot

her s

ubse

ctio

ns m

ight

be

CA

C

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“rap

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

this

of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

For

cibl

e To

uchi

ng (s

ee b

elow

, PL

130.

52).

If th

at’s

not

pos

sibl

e, to

avo

id “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

risk,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e. W

here

com

plai

nant

is le

ss th

an 2

1 ye

ars

of a

ge a

nd

whe

re fa

cts

perm

it, to

avo

id A

F co

nsid

er a

ltern

ate

plea

to U

nlaw

fully

D

ealin

g W

ith a

Chi

ld, 1

st d

egre

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

20(2

)) (b

ut n

ote

that

offe

nse

may

be

CS

O a

nd/o

r CA

C).

2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o de

crea

se “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” A

F ris

k, if

at a

ll po

ssib

le a

void

sub

sect

ion

(2) a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e se

xual

con

duct

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e,

such

as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10),

Unl

awfu

lly D

ealin

g W

ith a

Chi

ld, 1

st d

egre

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

20(2

))

or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

& 1

35.1

0).

If th

at’s

not

pos

sibl

e, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not h

ave

the

min

or a

ge o

f the

com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e or

as

a de

finiti

on o

f “w

ithou

t con

sent

”), s

uch

as F

orci

ble

Touc

hing

(see

bel

ow,

PL

130.

52).

In a

ny e

vent

, try

to k

eep

out o

f the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on o

r oth

er e

vide

nce

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).4.

To

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

unde

r sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd (3

), sp

ecify

in p

lea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

kno

w c

ompl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or (s

ee P

L 15

.20(

3)).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

void

adm

issi

on o

r oth

er e

vide

nce

of

such

kno

wle

dge.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

S

exua

l Act

, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

130.

45S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) pro

babl

y is

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF

and

subs

ectio

n (2

) mig

ht

be “r

ape,

or s

exua

l ab

use

of a

min

or”

AF.

Eith

er s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

als

o be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F if

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or m

ore.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) i

s C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT

if de

fend

ant

knew

or s

houl

d ha

ve k

now

n co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, pr

obab

ly is

CO

DV.

S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

and

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

is a

min

or,

othe

r sub

sect

ions

mig

ht b

e C

AC

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“rap

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

this

of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

For

cibl

e To

uchi

ng (s

ee b

elow

, PL

130.

52) i

f pos

sibl

e. W

here

com

plai

nant

is

less

than

21

year

s of

age

and

whe

re fa

cts

perm

it, to

avo

id A

F co

nsid

er

alte

rnat

e pl

ea to

Unl

awfu

lly D

ealin

g W

ith a

Chi

ld, 1

st d

egre

e (s

ee P

L 26

0.20

(2),

belo

w).

If a

ltern

ate

plea

not

pos

sibl

e, to

avo

id “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

risk,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

decr

ease

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or”

AF

risk,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

sexu

al c

ondu

ct a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime,

su

ch a

s E

ndan

gerin

g th

e W

elfa

re o

f a C

hild

(see

bel

ow, P

L 26

0.10

) or

Unl

awfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent,

2nd

or 1

st (s

ee b

elow

, PL

135.

05 &

135

.10)

. If

that

’s n

ot p

ossi

ble,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

that

doe

s no

t hav

e th

e m

inor

age

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime

or a

s a

defin

i-tio

n of

“with

out c

onse

nt”)

, suc

h as

For

cibl

e To

uchi

ng (s

ee b

elow

, PL

130.

52) o

r eve

n B

urgl

ary,

3rd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 14

0.20

). In

any

eve

nt, t

ry

to k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n ad

mis

sion

/ evi

denc

e th

at c

ompl

aina

nt

was

a m

inor

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).4.

To

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(1),

spec

ify in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id a

dmis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

suc

h kn

owl-

edge

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Not

e th

at o

ffens

e pr

obab

ly

rem

ains

an

aggr

avat

ed fe

lony

in a

ny e

vent

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

S

exua

l Act

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

130.

50S

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) & (4

) ar

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F an

d su

bsec

tions

(1) &

(2)

prob

ably

are

“rap

e”

AF.

Any

sub

sect

ion

prob

ably

als

o is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F if

term

of

impr

ison

men

t of

at le

ast o

ne y

ear i

s im

pose

d.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

and

(2) a

re C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) an

d (4

) are

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

com

plai

nant

was

a

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

a C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, pr

obab

ly is

CO

DV.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) and

(4)

mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

and

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a

min

or, o

ther

sub

sect

ions

m

ight

be

CA

C

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

ns (3

) and

(4) a

re n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 6

87, 7

07 (A

.G. 2

008)

.

Forc

ible

to

uchi

ng

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

130.

52If

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at c

ompl

aina

nt

was

a m

inor

, pa

rticu

larly

und

er a

ge

16, m

ight

be

“sex

ual

abus

e of

a m

inor

” AF.

If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, m

ight

als

o be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Yes

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

child

, mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r (ge

t 364

day

s or

less

).2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o m

inim

ize

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F ris

k,

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

sexu

al c

ondu

ct a

s an

el

emen

t of t

he c

rime,

suc

h as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee

belo

w, P

L 26

0.10

) or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

& 1

35.1

0). I

n an

y ev

ent,

try to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

c-tio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or.

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at c

onvi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or”

AF,

eve

n if

the

com

plai

nant

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of

the

com

plai

nant

is n

ot a

n el

emen

t of t

he c

rime.

IJ

may

not

look

to th

e un

derly

ing

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

to h

old

to th

e co

ntra

ry. S

ee, e

.g.,

Sin

gh

v. A

shcr

oft,

383

F.3d

144

(3rd

Cir.

200

4); c

f. N

ijhaw

an v

. Hol

der,

129

S.

Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(not

ing

that

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or” A

F gr

ound

re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic in

quiry

)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Sex

ual a

buse

, 3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

130.

55

If th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

m

inor

, pa

rticu

larly

if u

nder

age

16

, pro

babl

y is

“s

exua

l abu

se o

f a

min

or” A

F.

Is C

IMT

unle

ss

lack

of c

onse

nt

resu

lts o

nly

from

age

of

com

plai

nant

, in

whi

ch c

ase

is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

com

plai

nant

was

a

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

w

as a

chi

ld, p

roba

bly

is

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

min

imiz

e “s

ex a

buse

of m

inor

” AF

risk,

co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e se

xual

con

duct

as

an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e, s

uch

as E

ndan

gerin

g th

e W

elfa

re o

f a C

hild

(s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10) o

r Unl

awfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent,

2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

). In

any

eve

nt, t

o pr

eser

ve a

rgum

ents

aga

inst

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF

try to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or

oth

er e

vide

nce

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

and

/or t

hat “

sexu

al

cont

act”

cons

iste

d of

act

s fa

lling

with

in d

efini

tion

of “s

exua

l con

tact

” at

18 U

SC

350

9(a)

(9)(

A).

2. T

o re

duce

CIM

T w

here

lack

of c

onse

nt re

sults

onl

y fro

m m

inor

ity

of c

ompl

aina

nt, s

peci

fy in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or (s

ee P

L 15

.20(

3)).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

void

ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

suc

h kn

owle

dge.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8)S

exua

l abu

se,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

130.

60

Sub

sect

ion

(2) p

roba

bly

is “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a

min

or” A

F, a

nd, i

f te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

eith

er s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” .

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s C

IMT;

sub

sect

ion

(2) i

s C

IMT

if de

fend

ant

knew

or s

houl

d ha

ve k

now

n co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) p

roba

bly

is C

AC

and

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

is a

min

or,

subs

ectio

n (1

) mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F,

avoi

d se

nten

ce o

f one

yea

r (ge

t 364

day

s or

less

).2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o de

crea

se “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” A

F ris

k, if

at a

ll po

ssib

le a

void

sub

sect

ion

(2) a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e se

xual

con

duct

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e,

such

as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, 260

.10)

or U

n-la

wfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent i

n th

e 2d

Deg

ree

(PL

135.

05) (

see

belo

w, 1

35.0

5).

If th

at’s

not

pos

sibl

e, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e th

at d

oes

not h

ave

the

min

or a

ge o

f the

com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e or

as

a de

finiti

on o

f “w

ithou

t con

sent

,” su

ch a

s P

L 13

0.52

. If

plea

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to p

rese

rve

argu

men

ts a

gain

st “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a

min

or” A

F try

to k

eep

out o

f the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at “s

exua

l con

tact

” con

sist

ed o

f act

s fa

lling

with

in

defin

ition

of “

sexu

al c

onta

ct” a

t 18

US

C 3

509(

a)(9

)(A

).3.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).

(Tip

s fo

r def

ense

law

yers

and

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

con

tinue

d on

nex

t pag

e)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs (c

ontin

ued)

:4.

To

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

whe

re la

ck o

f con

sent

resu

lts o

nly

from

min

or-

ity o

f com

plai

nant

, spe

cify

in p

lea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

kno

w

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id

adm

issi

on o

r oth

er e

vide

nce

of s

uch

know

ledg

e. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8).

Sex

ual a

buse

, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

130.

65

Sub

sect

ion

(3) i

s pr

obab

ly “s

exua

l ab

use

of a

min

or”

AF.

Any

sub

sect

ion

mig

ht a

lso

be “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

if te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

and

(2) a

re C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

n (3

) is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

a m

inor

and

mig

ht

be C

IMT

in o

ther

ca

ses.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

Sub

sect

ion

(3) p

roba

bly

is C

AC

and

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

a

min

or, o

ther

sub

sect

ions

m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

os-

sibl

e.2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o m

inim

ize

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F ris

k,

if at

all

poss

ible

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (3

) and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

th

at d

o no

t hav

e se

xual

con

duct

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e, s

uch

as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10) o

r Unl

aw-

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

& 1

35.1

0). I

f tha

t’s

not p

ossi

ble,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

that

doe

s no

t hav

e th

e m

inor

ag

e of

the

com

plai

nant

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e or

as

a de

finiti

on o

f “w

ithou

t con

sent

,” su

ch a

s Fo

rcib

le T

ouch

ing

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

0.52

) or

eve

n B

urgl

ary,

3rd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 14

0.20

). In

any

eve

nt, t

o pr

eser

ve

argu

men

ts a

gain

st “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” AF

try to

kee

p ou

t of t

he

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on o

r oth

er e

vide

nce

that

com

plai

nant

w

as a

min

or u

nder

sub

sect

ions

(1) a

nd (2

) and

, und

er a

ny s

ubse

ctio

n,

that

“sex

ual c

onta

ct” c

onsi

sted

of a

cts

falli

ng w

ithin

defi

nitio

n of

“sex

ual

cont

act”

at 1

8 U

SC

350

9(a)

(9)(

A).

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

4. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (3

), s

peci

fy in

ple

a al

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id a

dmis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

suc

h kn

owl-

edge

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Not

e th

at o

ffens

e m

ay s

till

be “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” AF.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

not c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

tion

does

not

requ

ire k

now

ledg

e of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge.

See

PL

15.2

0(3)

; M

atte

r of S

ilva-

Trev

ino,

24

I&N

Dec

. 687

, 707

(A.G

. 200

8).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Agg

rava

ted

sexu

al a

buse

, 4t

h de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

130.

65-

a If

the

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

show

s th

at

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

min

or, m

ight

be

“sex

ual

abus

e of

a m

inor

” AF.

In o

ther

ca

ses,

mig

ht b

e “r

ape”

A

F.

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht a

lso

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Yes.

If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

mig

ht b

e C

OD

V. If

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

ch

ild, p

roba

bly

is C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

os-

sibl

e.2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o m

inim

ize

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F ris

k,

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

sexu

al c

ondu

ct a

s an

el

emen

t of t

he c

rime,

suc

h as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee

belo

w, P

L 26

0.10

) or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

& 1

35.1

0). I

n an

y ev

ent,

try to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

c-tio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at c

ompl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or.

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at c

onvi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or”

AF,

eve

n if

the

com

plai

nant

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of

the

com

plai

nant

is n

ot a

n el

emen

t of t

he c

rime.

IJ

may

not

look

to th

e un

derly

ing

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

to h

old

to th

e co

ntra

ry. S

ee, e

.g.,

Sin

gh

v. A

shcr

oft,

383

F.3d

144

(3rd

Cir.

200

4); c

f. N

ijhaw

an v

. Hol

der,

129

S.

Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(not

ing

that

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or” A

F gr

ound

re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic in

quiry

).

Agg

rava

ted

sexu

al a

buse

, 3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

130.

66

Sub

sect

ion

1(c)

is

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

m

inor

” AF.

If th

e re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

was

a m

inor

, any

oth

er

subs

ectio

n m

ight

be

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF.

Any

su

bsec

tion

mig

ht a

lso

be “r

ape”

AF,

AN

D if

te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e,

mig

ht a

lso

be “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)(

a),

(1)(

b) a

nd (2

) are

C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) is

pro

babl

y C

AC

an

d if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

is a

min

or, o

ther

su

bsec

tions

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. R

egar

dles

s of

com

plai

nant

’s a

ge, t

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

os-

sibl

e.2.

If c

ompl

aina

nt is

min

or, t

o m

inim

ize

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F ris

k,

avoi

d su

bsec

tion

(1)(

c) a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t ha

ve s

exua

l con

duct

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

crim

e, s

uch

as E

ndan

gerin

g th

e W

elfa

re o

f a C

hild

(see

bel

ow, P

L 26

0.10

) or U

nlaw

ful I

mpr

ison

men

t, 2n

d or

1st

(see

bel

ow, P

L 13

5.05

& 1

35.1

0), o

r Bur

glar

y, 3

rd (s

ee b

elow

, P

L 14

0.20

). In

any

eve

nt, t

ry to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

min

or.

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

4. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

)(c)

, spe

cify

in p

lea

al-

locu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot k

now

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

(see

PL

15.2

0(3)

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

avo

id a

dmis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e of

su

ch k

now

ledg

e. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

For

con

vict

ions

und

er s

ubse

ctio

ns o

ther

than

(1)(

c), a

rgue

that

con

-vi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F, e

ven

if th

e co

m-

plai

nant

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt is

no

t an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e. I

J m

ay n

ot lo

ok to

the

unde

rlyin

g re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n to

hol

d to

the

cont

rary

. See

, e.g

., S

ingh

v. A

shcr

oft,

383

F.3d

14

4 (3

rd C

ir. 2

004)

; cf.

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(n

otin

g th

at “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” AF

grou

nd re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic in

quiry

).2.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

)(c)

is n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e co

nvic

-tio

n do

es n

ot re

quire

kno

wle

dge

of c

ompl

aina

nt’s

age

. S

ee P

L 15

.20(

3);

Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 6

87, 7

07 (A

.G. 2

008)

.A

ggra

vate

d se

xual

abu

se,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

130.

67

Sub

sect

ion

1(c)

is

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

m

inor

” AF.

If t

he re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

was

a m

inor

, any

oth

er

subs

ectio

n m

ight

be

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF.

Any

su

bsec

tion

mig

ht a

lso

be “r

ape”

AF,

AN

D if

te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht a

lso

be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

(a) a

nd (b

) are

C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht b

e C

OD

V.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) p

roba

bly

is C

AC

and

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

is a

min

or,

othe

r sub

sect

ions

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

min

imiz

e “s

ex a

buse

of m

inor

” AF

risk,

av

oid

subs

ectio

n (1

)(c)

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not

have

sex

ual c

ondu

ct a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime,

suc

h as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10) o

r Unl

awfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent,

2nd

or 1

st (s

ee b

elow

, PL

135.

05 &

135

.10)

, or B

urgl

ary,

3rd

(see

bel

ow,

PL

140.

20).

In a

ny e

vent

, try

to k

eep

out o

f the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on o

r oth

er e

vide

nce

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

.2.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (1

)(c)

and

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

nant

to d

efen

dant

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot d

efea

t rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

For

con

vict

ions

und

er s

ubse

ctio

ns o

ther

than

(1)(

c), a

rgue

that

con

-vi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F, e

ven

if th

e co

m-

plai

nant

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt is

no

t an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e. I

J m

ay n

ot lo

ok to

the

unde

rlyin

g re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n to

hol

d to

the

cont

rary

. See

, e.g

., S

ingh

v. A

shcr

oft,

383

F.3d

14

4 (3

rd C

ir. 2

004)

; cf.

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(n

otin

g th

at “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” AF

grou

nd re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic in

quiry

).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Agg

rava

ted

sexu

al a

buse

, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

130.

70

Sub

sect

ion

1(c)

is

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

m

inor

” AF.

If th

e re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt

was

a m

inor

, any

oth

er

subs

ectio

n m

ight

be

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF.

Any

su

bsec

tion

mig

ht a

lso

be “r

ape”

AF,

AN

D if

te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht a

lso

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Sub

sect

ions

(1)

(a) a

nd (b

) are

C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) is

CIM

T if

defe

ndan

t kn

ew o

r sho

uld

have

kno

wn

that

co

mpl

aina

nt w

as

min

or a

nd m

ight

be

CIM

T in

oth

er

case

s. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, mig

ht b

e C

OD

V.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)(

c) p

roba

bly

is C

AC

and

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

is a

min

or,

othe

r sub

sect

ions

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1 If

com

plai

nant

is m

inor

, to

min

imiz

e “s

ex a

buse

of m

inor

” AF

risk,

av

oid

subs

ectio

n (1

)(c)

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not

have

sex

ual c

ondu

ct a

s an

ele

men

t of t

he c

rime,

suc

h as

End

ange

ring

the

Wel

fare

of a

Chi

ld (s

ee b

elow

, PL

260.

10) o

r Unl

awfu

l Im

pris

onm

ent,

2nd

or 1

st (s

ee b

elow

, PL

135.

05 &

135

.10)

, or B

urgl

ary,

3rd

(see

bel

ow,

PL

140.

20).

In a

ny e

vent

, to

min

imiz

e ris

k of

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F an

d C

AC

, try

to k

eep

out o

f the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

any

adm

issi

on o

r ot

her e

vide

nce

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a m

inor

.2.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V ri

sk, k

eep

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

aina

nt to

def

en-

dant

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

For

con

vict

ions

und

er s

ubse

ctio

ns o

ther

than

(1)(

c), a

rgue

that

con

-vi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F, e

ven

if th

e co

m-

plai

nant

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of t

he c

ompl

aina

nt is

no

t an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e. I

J m

ay n

ot lo

ok to

the

unde

rlyin

g re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n to

hol

d to

the

cont

rary

. See

, e.g

., S

ingh

v. A

shcr

oft,

383

F.3d

14

4 (3

rd C

ir. 2

004)

; cf.

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(n

otin

g th

at “s

exua

l abu

se o

f a m

inor

” AF

grou

nd re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic in

quiry

). U

nlaw

ful

impr

ison

men

t, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

135.

05If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, w

ould

pro

babl

y be

“c

rime

of “v

iole

nce”

A

F, w

here

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

show

s re

stra

int b

y “p

hysi

cal

forc

e” o

r “in

timid

atio

n”

as o

ppos

ed to

“d

ecep

tion”

or

“acq

uies

cenc

e” o

f co

mpl

aina

nt.

May

be.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

child

, mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r (ge

t 36

4 da

ys o

r les

s). I

f max

imum

one

-yea

r sen

tenc

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded

but t

he c

ompl

aina

nt is

less

than

16

year

s ol

d, tr

y to

est

ablis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at th

e un

law

ful “

rest

rain

t” w

as e

ffect

ed th

roug

h co

mpl

aina

nt’s

ac

quie

scen

ce to

fall

with

in th

e de

finiti

on o

f “re

stra

int”

at P

L 13

5.00

(1)(

b)

[as

oppo

sed

to 1

35.0

0(1)

(a)],

or k

eep

the

reco

rd a

mbi

guou

s as

to w

hich

de

finiti

on o

f res

train

t was

app

lied.

In

all c

ases

, to

redu

ce ri

sk o

f “cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

try

to e

stab

lish

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

“res

train

t” w

as n

ot

acco

mpl

ishe

d by

“phy

sica

l for

ce” o

r “in

timid

atio

n,” o

r kee

p th

e re

cord

am

bigu

ous

as to

whi

ch d

efini

tion

of re

stra

int w

as a

pplie

d.2.

To

min

imiz

e C

OD

V o

r CA

C ri

sks,

kee

p ag

e/re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

n-an

t to

defe

ndan

t out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(but

not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot

defe

at re

mov

abili

ty w

ith re

spec

t to

CO

DV

).

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

ls to

pro

ve th

at

“res

train

t” w

as e

ffect

ed o

n a

com

pete

nt a

dult.

See

Dic

kson

v. A

shcr

oft,

346

F.3d

44

(2d

Cir.

200

3).

Arg

ue n

ot “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

if go

vern

-m

ent f

ails

to p

rove

that

“res

train

t” el

emen

t was

not

sat

isfie

d by

“dec

ep-

tion”

or “

acqu

iesc

ence

” inv

olvi

ng n

o vi

olen

t for

ce.

Cf.

John

son

v. U

S,

130

S. C

t. 12

65 (2

010)

(hol

ding

that

“phy

sica

l for

ce” f

or p

urpo

ses

of

AC

CA

“vio

lent

felo

ny” d

efini

tion

sim

ilar t

o 18

US

C 1

6 “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

de

finiti

on m

eans

“vio

lent

forc

e”);

Mat

ter o

f Vel

asqu

ez, 2

5 I&

N D

ec.

278,

283

(BIA

201

0) (d

efini

tion

of “f

orce

” in

John

son

cont

rols

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” a

naly

sis)

. U

nlaw

ful

impr

ison

men

t, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

135.

10If

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, w

ould

pr

obab

ly b

e “c

rime

of “

viol

ence

” AF,

es

peci

ally

whe

re

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s re

stra

int b

y “p

hysi

cal f

orce

” or

“intim

idat

ion”

as

oppo

sed

to “d

ecep

tion”

or

“acq

uies

cenc

e” o

f co

mpl

aina

nt.

May

be.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

If th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

child

, mig

ht a

lso

be C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

If o

ne-y

ear s

ente

nce

cann

ot b

e av

oid-

ed b

ut th

e co

mpl

aina

nt is

less

than

16

year

s ol

d, tr

y to

est

ablis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at th

e un

law

ful “

rest

rain

t” w

as e

ffect

ed th

roug

h co

mpl

aina

nt’s

ac

quie

scen

ce to

fall

with

in th

e de

finiti

on o

f “re

stra

int”

at P

L 13

5.00

(1)(

b)

[as

oppo

sed

to 1

35.0

0(1)

(a)],

or k

eep

the

reco

rd a

mbi

guou

s as

to w

hich

de

finiti

on o

f res

train

t was

app

lied.

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

or C

AC

risk

s, k

eep

age/

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

ain-

ant t

o de

fend

ant o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (b

ut n

ote

that

this

may

not

de

feat

rem

ovab

ility

with

resp

ect t

o C

OD

V).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

rime

of v

iole

nce

AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

ls to

pro

ve th

at

“res

train

t” w

as e

ffect

ed o

n a

com

pete

nt a

dult.

See

Dic

kson

v. A

shcr

oft,

346

F.3d

44

(2d

Cir.

200

3).

Kid

napp

ing,

2n

d D

egre

e

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

135.

20If

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, pr

obab

ly is

“c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF.

Pro

babl

y.If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

mig

ht b

e C

OD

V. If

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

ch

ild, m

ight

als

o be

CA

C.

Tres

pass

Viol

atio

n

140.

05

No.

N

o.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

tre

spas

s, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

140.

10

No.

N

o.

Crim

inal

tre

spas

s, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

140.

15

No.

N

o.

Crim

inal

tre

spas

s, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

140.

17If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, p

roba

bly

is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F

May

be.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

Sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd (3

) ar

e FO

and

, if r

ecor

d of

co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

of

fens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

, su

bsec

tion

(1) a

lso

is F

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o m

inim

ize

FO ri

sk, a

void

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

l-te

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

firea

rms

as a

n el

emen

t of t

he c

rime,

su

ch a

s B

urgl

ary,

3rd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 14

0.20

). If

that

’s n

ot p

ossi

ble,

av

oid

subs

ectio

ns (2

) and

(3)

[sub

sect

ion

(1) m

ight

be

bette

r] an

d try

to

keep

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

that

the

wea

pon

was

a fi

rear

m.

3. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

avo

id/c

ontro

vert

evid

ence

that

def

enda

nt

inte

nded

to o

r kne

w th

at o

ther

par

ticip

ant i

nten

ded

to u

se w

eapo

n un

law

fully

aga

inst

per

son

or p

rope

rty o

f ano

ther

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Bur

glar

y, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

140.

20If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, p

roba

bly

is

“bur

glar

y” A

F an

d m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF.

Yes

if cr

ime

inte

nded

to

be c

omm

itted

w

as C

IMT

or,

rega

rdle

ss o

f in

tend

ed o

ffens

e, if

bu

rgle

d “b

uild

ing”

w

as o

ccup

ied

dwel

ling.

See

N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“bur

glar

y” o

r “cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne

year

or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

bur

gled

“bui

ldin

g” is

a v

ehic

le a

nd s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

min

imiz

e ris

k of

“bur

glar

y” A

F by

est

ablis

hing

fact

of

vehi

cle

(as

oppo

sed

to s

truct

ure)

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

rimin

al

Tres

pass

, 2nd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.15

), ev

en if

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d fo

r th

at o

ffens

e is

the

max

imum

one

yea

r. If

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

spe

cify

in

allo

cutio

n an

und

erly

ing

offe

nse

that

is N

OT

a C

IMT

and

that

“bui

ldin

g”

was

not

occ

upie

d dw

ellin

g, o

r if t

hat i

s no

t pos

sibl

e av

oid/

cont

rove

rt ev

i-de

nce

of o

ccup

ied

dwel

ling

and/

or in

tend

ed o

ffens

e th

at is

CIM

T. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:

1. W

here

RO

C d

oes

not f

orec

lose

that

def

enda

nt e

nter

ed a

veh

icle

/w

ater

craf

t, ar

gue

not a

“bur

glar

y” A

F be

caus

e su

ch c

ondu

ct fa

lls o

utsi

de

gene

ric d

efini

tion

of “b

urgl

ary.

” C

f. Ta

ylor

v. U

nite

d S

tate

s, 4

95 U

.S. 5

75

(199

0); M

atte

r of P

erez

, 22

I&N

Dec

. 132

5 (B

IA 2

000)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Bur

glar

y, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

140.

25If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e,

subs

ectio

n (1

) pro

babl

y is

“b

urgl

ary”

or “

crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F, a

nd

subs

ectio

n (2

) is

“bur

glar

y” o

r “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF

Sub

sect

ion

(2) i

s pr

obab

ly C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

CIM

T if

crim

e in

tend

ed to

be

com

mitt

ed

was

CIM

T an

d su

bsec

tions

(b),

(c) a

nd (d

) may

be

CIM

T re

gard

less

of

inte

nded

crim

e.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at o

ffens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

, su

bsec

tions

(1)(

a), (

c) a

nd

(d) a

re p

roba

bly

FO.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“bur

glar

y” o

r “cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

to-

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Bur

glar

y, 3

rd w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

day

s or

less

, if p

ossi

ble

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.20

).2.

To

min

imiz

e FO

risk

, avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r al-

tern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e fir

earm

s as

an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e,

such

as

Bur

glar

y, 3

rd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

20).

If th

at’s

not

pos

sibl

e,

avoi

d su

bsec

tion

(1)(

d) a

nd tr

y to

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

that

th

e w

eapo

n w

as a

fire

arm

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

IMT

risk,

spe

cify

in a

llocu

tion

an u

nder

lyin

g of

fens

e th

at is

NO

T a

CIM

T an

d th

at “b

uild

ing”

was

not

occ

upie

d dw

ellin

g, o

r if

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

avoi

d/co

ntro

vert

evid

ence

of o

ccup

ied

dwel

ling

and/

or in

tend

ed o

ffens

e th

at is

CIM

TB

urgl

ary,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

140.

30If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, is

“bur

glar

y” o

r “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

Yes

if cr

ime

inte

nded

to

be c

omm

itted

w

as C

IMT

or,

rega

rdle

ss o

f in

tend

ed o

ffens

e, if

bu

rgle

d “b

uild

ing”

w

as o

ccup

ied

dwel

ling.

Any

su

bsec

tion

is

prob

ably

CIM

T.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Sub

sect

ion

(4) i

s FO

and

, if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m,

subs

ectio

ns (1

) and

(3)

prob

ably

als

o ar

e FO

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“bur

glar

y” o

r “cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

to-

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Bur

glar

y, 3

rd w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

day

s or

less

, if p

ossi

ble

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.20

).2.

To

min

imiz

e FO

risk

, avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r al-

tern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t hav

e fir

earm

s as

an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e,

such

as

Bur

glar

y, 3

rd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

20).

If th

at’s

not

pos

sibl

e,

avoi

d su

bsec

tion

(4) a

nd tr

y to

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

that

the

wea

pon

was

a fi

rear

m.

3. T

o m

inim

ize

CIM

T ris

k, s

peci

fy in

allo

cutio

n an

und

erly

ing

offe

nse

that

is N

OT

a C

IMT

and

that

“bui

ldin

g” w

as n

ot o

ccup

ied

dwel

ling,

or i

f th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e av

oid/

cont

rove

rt ev

iden

ce o

f occ

upie

d dw

ellin

g an

d/or

inte

nded

offe

nse

that

is C

IMT.

Not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot b

e su

ffici

ent t

o de

feat

CIM

T fin

ding

Pos

sess

ion

of

burg

lar’s

tool

s

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

140.

35

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e at

tem

pted

“bur

glar

y” o

r “th

eft”

AF.

May

be if

the

offe

nse

inte

nded

to

be c

omm

itted

was

C

IMT.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

atte

mpt

ed “b

urgl

ary”

or “

thef

t” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

ye

ar o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Crim

inal

Tr

espa

ss, 2

nd, i

f pos

sibl

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

140.

15).

If th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e,

spec

ify in

the

reco

rd a

n un

derly

ing

offe

nse

that

is N

OT

a C

IMT.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

if go

vern

men

t fai

ls to

sho

w th

at u

nder

lyin

g cr

ime

inte

nded

with

the

burg

lary

tool

s is

not

CIM

T. S

ee G

uarin

o v.

Uhl

, 107

F.

2d 3

99 (2

d C

ir. 1

939)

; Mat

ter o

f S, 6

I&N

Dec

. 769

(BIA

195

5).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

m

isch

ief,

4th

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

145.

00

No

for s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

)-(3

) (pa

rticu

larly

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s su

bsec

tion

(3))

, unl

ess

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in s

ome

juris

dict

ions

ou

tsid

e 2d

Circ

uit.

S

ubse

ctio

n (4

), if

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F in

any

ju

risdi

ctio

n.

Sub

sect

ions

(1

), (2

) and

(4)

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

S

ubse

ctio

n (3

) pr

obab

ly is

NO

T C

IMT.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r (ge

t 364

da

ys o

r les

s).

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CIM

T ris

k, a

void

sub

sect

ions

(1),

(2) a

nd (4

) and

co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at a

re li

kely

NO

T to

be

CIM

T, s

uch

as

Rec

kles

s E

ndan

germ

ent o

f Pro

perty

(see

bel

ow, P

L 14

5.25

). W

here

th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, d

eny

“mal

icio

us in

tent

” at p

lea

allo

cutio

n. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot a

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F be

caus

e of

fens

e do

es n

ot h

ave

use,

atte

mpt

ed u

se, o

r thr

eate

ned

use

of fo

rce

as a

n el

emen

t. C

f. C

hr-

zano

ski v

. Ash

crof

t, 32

7 F.

3d 1

88 (2

d C

ir. 2

003)

(offe

nse

invo

lvin

g in

tent

to

inju

re re

sulti

ng in

inju

ry d

oes

not i

nher

ently

requ

ire th

e us

e of

forc

e);

see

also

Joh

nson

v. U

S, 1

30 S

. Ct.

1265

(201

0) (h

oldi

ng th

at “p

hysi

cal

forc

e” fo

r pur

pose

s of

AC

CA

“vio

lent

felo

ny” d

efini

tion

sim

ilar t

o 18

US

C

16 “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

defi

nitio

n m

eans

“vio

lent

forc

e,” n

ot s

impl

y de

m

inim

is to

uchi

ng).

Not

e th

at th

e st

atut

e re

ache

s da

mag

e to

the

valu

e of

pr

oper

ty, w

hich

can

be

crea

ted

with

out “

viol

ent f

orce

.” S

ee, e

.g.,

Peo

ple

v. D

avid

, 133

A.D

.2d

277,

519

N.Y

.S.2

d 67

(App

. Div.

2d

Dep

’t 19

87)

(hol

ding

that

com

plai

nant

’s h

ome

was

dam

aged

with

in th

e m

eani

ng o

f 14

5.00

(1) w

hen

defe

ndan

t, a

cont

ract

or, r

emov

ed a

wat

er h

eate

r; da

m-

age

cons

iste

d of

cos

t of r

e-in

stal

latio

n bu

t not

cos

t of h

eate

r).

Crim

inal

m

isch

ief,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

145.

05

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

Pro

babl

y.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

Crim

inal

m

isch

ief,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

145.

10If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F

Pro

babl

yTi

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e.

Crim

inal

m

isch

ief,

1st

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

145.

12If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, p

roba

bly

is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F

Pro

babl

y.FO

(or d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

of

fens

e) if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

“d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

” (as

de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a))

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

rimin

al M

isch

ief,

3rd

or 4

th, w

ith a

sen

-te

nce

of 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss, i

f pos

sibl

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

145.

05 &

145.

00).

2. T

o m

inim

ize

FO ri

sk, a

void

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

l-te

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

rimin

al M

isch

ief,

3rd

or 4

th, w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

da

ys o

r les

s, if

pos

sibl

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

145.

05 &

145.

00).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Rec

kles

s en

dang

erm

ent

of p

rope

rty

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

145.

25N

oP

roba

bly

NO

TS

ee M

atte

r of M

, 3 I&

N D

ec. 2

72 (B

IA 1

948)

(fou

nd th

at p

rope

rty

dam

age

offe

nse

was

CIM

T be

caus

e w

as n

ot o

ne “w

here

the

act w

as

mer

ely

acco

mpa

nied

by

negl

igen

ce o

r car

eles

snes

s, b

ut o

ne w

hich

was

pe

rpet

rate

d m

alic

ious

ly a

nd w

anto

nly”

); M

atte

r of M

, 2 I&

N D

ec. 6

86

(BIA

194

6) (r

eckl

ess

enda

nger

men

t of p

rope

rty n

ot a

CIM

T).

Mak

ing

graf

fiti

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

145.

60N

o, u

nles

s te

rm

of im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

in w

hich

cas

e m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns

outs

ide

2d C

ircui

t.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot a

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F be

caus

e of

fens

e do

es n

ot h

ave

use,

atte

mpt

ed u

se, o

r thr

eate

ned

use

of fo

rce

as a

n el

emen

t. C

f.

John

son

v. U

S, 1

30 S

. Ct.

1265

(201

0) (h

oldi

ng th

at “p

hysi

cal f

orce

” for

pu

rpos

es o

f AC

CA

“vio

lent

felo

ny” d

efini

tion

sim

ilar t

o 18

US

C 1

6 “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

defi

nitio

n m

eans

“vio

lent

forc

e,” n

ot s

impl

y de

min

imis

to

uchi

ng).

Pos

sess

ion

of

graf

fiti

inst

rum

ent

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

145.

65N

o.P

roba

bly

NO

T

Ars

on, 5

th

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

150.

01

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

pro

babl

y is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

FO (o

r des

truct

ive

devi

ce

offe

nse)

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at o

ffens

e in

volv

ed

“des

truct

ive

devi

ce” (

as

defin

ed in

18

US

C 9

21(a

)).

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Ars

on, 4

th

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

150.

05

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

May

be.

FO (o

r des

truct

ive

devi

ce

offe

nse)

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at o

ffens

e in

volv

ed

“des

truct

ive

devi

ce” (

as

defin

ed in

18

US

C 9

21(a

)).

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or

mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e.2.

To

min

imiz

e C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

rimin

al

Mis

chie

f, 4t

h, s

ubse

ctio

n (3

) (se

e ab

ove,

PL

145.

00(3

)), w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

day

s or

less

, if p

ossi

ble,

OR

con

side

r ple

adin

g to

an

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it A

rson

, 4th

(see

abo

ve, P

L 15

0.05

). S

ee G

ill v

. IN

S,

420

F.3d

82

(2d

Cir.

200

5) (b

ecau

se a

per

son

cann

ot in

tend

to c

omm

it a

reck

less

act

, an

atte

mpt

ed re

ckle

ss a

ssau

lt co

uld

not c

onst

itute

CIM

T ev

en th

ough

the

com

plet

ed c

rime

itsel

f is

CIM

T); K

napi

k v.

Ash

crof

t, 38

4 F.

3d 8

4 (3

d C

ir. 2

004)

(sam

e w

ith a

ttem

pted

reck

less

end

ange

rmen

t, 1s

t deg

ree)

. N

ew Y

ork

cour

ts p

erm

it su

ch “h

ypot

hetic

al o

ffens

e” p

leas

. S

ee D

ale

v. H

olde

r, 61

0 F.

3d 2

94, 3

02 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

(col

lect

ing

case

s).

3. T

o m

inim

ize

FO ri

sk, a

void

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er if

“des

truct

ive

devi

ce” w

as u

sed,

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

M

isch

ief,

4th

Deg

ree,

sub

sect

ion

(3),

or A

rson

, 5th

Deg

ree

(see

abo

ve,

PL

145.

00(3

) or 1

50.0

1), i

n ea

ch c

ase

with

a s

ente

nce

of 3

64 d

ays

or

less

, if p

ossi

ble.

Ars

on, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

150.

10

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

Yes.

FO

(or d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

of

fens

e) if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

“d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

” (as

de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a))

. A

rson

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

150.

15

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

may

be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F, e

spec

ially

w

here

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

show

s th

at d

efen

dant

kne

w

anot

her p

erso

n w

as

pres

ent i

n da

mag

ed

build

ing/

vehi

cle.

Yes.

FO

(or d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

of

fens

e) if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

“d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

” (as

de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a))

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, w

here

pos

sibl

e sp

ecify

at a

l-lo

cutio

n th

at s

ubje

ct b

uild

ing/

vehi

cle

was

pro

perty

of d

efen

dant

and

that

de

fend

ant d

id n

ot k

now

ano

ther

per

son

was

pre

sent

. If

this

is n

ot p

os-

sibl

e, tr

y to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

ev

iden

ce th

at th

e su

bjec

t bui

ldin

g/ve

hicl

e w

as p

rope

rty o

f ano

ther

and

th

at th

e de

fend

ant k

new

ano

ther

per

son

was

pre

sent

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

a “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

unde

r 18

US

C

16(a

) bec

ause

offe

nse

does

not

requ

ire u

se, e

tc. o

f for

ce a

gain

st th

e pr

oper

ty o

f ano

ther

. A

rgue

not

cat

egor

ical

ly a

“cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

unde

r 18

US

C 1

6(b)

bec

ause

offe

nse

may

be

com

mitt

ed w

ithou

t act

ual

know

ledg

e th

at a

noth

er p

erso

n is

pre

sent

, viti

atin

g “s

ubst

antia

l ris

k” o

f in

tent

iona

l use

of f

orce

aga

inst

his

/her

per

son.

See

Leo

cal v

. Ash

crof

t, 54

3 U

.S. 1

(200

4).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Ars

on, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

150.

20

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“c

rime

of

viol

ence

” AF,

esp

ecia

lly

whe

re re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

that

def

enda

nt k

new

an

othe

r per

son

was

pr

esen

t in

dam

aged

bu

ildin

g/ve

hicl

e.

Yes.

FO

(or d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

of

fens

e) if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

“d

estru

ctiv

e de

vice

” (as

de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a))

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, w

here

pos

sibl

e sp

ecify

at a

l-lo

cutio

n th

at s

ubje

ct b

uild

ing/

vehi

cle

was

pro

perty

of d

efen

dant

and

that

de

fend

ant d

id n

ot k

now

ano

ther

per

son

was

pre

sent

. If

this

is n

ot p

os-

sibl

e, tr

y to

kee

p ou

t of t

he re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

ev

iden

ce th

at th

e su

bjec

t bui

ldin

g/ve

hicl

e w

as p

rope

rty o

f ano

ther

and

th

at th

e de

fend

ant k

new

ano

ther

per

son

was

pre

sent

.Ti

p fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs:

1. A

rgue

not

cat

egor

ical

ly a

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F un

der 1

8 U

SC

16

(a) b

ecau

se o

ffens

e do

es n

ot re

quire

use

, etc

. of f

orce

aga

inst

the

prop

erty

of a

noth

er.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

a “

crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F un

der 1

8 U

SC

16(

b) b

ecau

se o

ffens

e m

ay b

e co

mm

itted

with

out a

ctua

l kn

owle

dge

that

ano

ther

per

son

is p

rese

nt, v

itiat

ing

“sub

stan

tial r

isk”

of

inte

ntio

nal u

se o

f for

ce a

gain

st h

is/h

er p

erso

n. S

ee L

eoca

l v. A

shcr

oft,

543

U.S

. 1 (2

004)

.P

etit

larc

eny

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

155.

25

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

prob

ably

is “t

heft”

A

F. I

f rec

ord

of

conv

ictio

n (“

RO

C”)

sh

ows

that

larc

eny

was

acc

ompl

ishe

d by

fra

ud o

r dec

eit,

and

if ev

iden

ce (w

heth

er o

r no

t par

t of R

OC

) tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct

show

s lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss to

vic

tim e

xcee

ding

$1

0,00

0, m

ay b

e “fr

aud

or d

ecei

t” A

F re

gard

less

of s

ente

nce.

O

ther

wis

e, n

ot A

F.

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “th

eft”

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64

days

or l

ess.

If t

his

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

whe

re lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss to

co

mpl

aina

nt is

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00, m

inim

ize

risk

of “t

heft”

AF

by a

f-fir

mat

ivel

y es

tabl

ishi

ng in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at la

rcen

y w

as a

ccom

plis

hed

by fr

aud

or d

ecei

t (e.

g. (e

.g.,

PL

155.

05(2

)(a)

, (d)

).

2. W

here

alle

ged

loss

to c

ompl

aina

nt e

xcee

ds $

10,0

00, t

o av

oid

“frau

d or

dec

eit”

AF,

affi

rmat

ivel

y es

tabl

ish

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

thef

t was

not

ac

com

plis

hed

by fr

audu

lent

or d

ecei

tful m

eans

(e.g

., P

L 15

5.05

(2)(

a),

(d))

and

/or t

hat l

oss

or in

tend

ed lo

ss to

com

plai

nant

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(See

App

endi

x L)

.3.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), Tr

espa

ss (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

04) o

r Jo

stlin

g (s

ee b

elow

, PL

165.

25).

If th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e an

d if

law

fully

ad

mitt

ed c

lient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

at-

tem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

155.

25, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

tri

gger

dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f adm

issi

on”

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“the

ft” A

F be

caus

e st

atut

e en

com

pass

es

taki

ng p

rope

rty b

y co

nsen

t fra

udul

ently

obt

aine

d. S

ee M

atte

r of G

arci

a-M

adru

ga, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 4

36 (B

IA 2

008)

; Baz

uaye

v. M

ukas

ey, 2

73 F

ed.

App

’x 7

7 (2

d C

ir. 2

008)

(unp

ublis

hed)

.2.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“fra

ud o

r dec

eit”

AF

beca

use

stat

ute

enco

m-

pass

es ta

king

pro

perty

with

out c

onse

nt.

See

Mat

ter o

f Gar

cia-

Mad

ruga

, 24

I&N

Dec

. 436

(BIA

200

8).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Gra

nd la

rcen

y,

4th

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

155.

30

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“th

eft”

AF.

Sub

sect

ion

(11)

, if t

he re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n (“

RO

C”)

sh

ows

the

prop

erty

in

volv

ed to

ben

hydr

ous

amm

onia

, pro

babl

y is

“d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F re

gard

less

of s

ente

nce.

A

ny s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

be

“fra

ud o

r dec

eit”

AF

rega

rdle

ss o

f se

nten

ce if

RO

C

show

s th

at la

rcen

y w

as a

ccom

plis

hed

by

fraud

or d

ecei

t, an

d if

evid

ence

(whe

ther

or

not p

art o

f RO

C) t

ied

to c

onvi

cted

con

duct

sh

ows

loss

or i

nten

ded

loss

to v

ictim

exc

eedi

ng

$10,

000.

Yes.

S

ubse

ctio

n (7

) pro

babl

y is

FO

. Sub

sect

ion

(11)

pr

obab

ly is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“thef

t” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

). If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

whe

re lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss

to c

ompl

aina

nt is

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00, m

inim

ize

risk

of “t

heft”

AF

by

affir

mat

ivel

y es

tabl

ishi

ng in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at la

rcen

y w

as a

ccom

plis

hed

by fr

aud

or d

ecei

t (e.

g. (e

.g.,

PL

155.

05(2

)(a)

, (d)

). 2.

To

avoi

d “fr

aud

or d

ecei

t” A

F, a

ffirm

ativ

ely

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at th

eft w

as n

ot a

ccom

plis

hed

by fr

audu

lent

or d

ecei

tful m

eans

(e.g

., P

L 15

5.05

(2)(

a), (

d)) a

nd/o

r tha

t los

s or

inte

nded

loss

to c

ompl

aina

nt d

id

not e

xcee

d $1

0,00

0 (S

ee A

ppen

dix

L).

3. T

o av

oid

FO ri

sk, a

void

sub

sect

ion

(7).

4. T

o av

oid

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

or C

SO

risk

, avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (1

1).If

th

e al

lega

tion

is c

ar th

eft,

to a

void

CIM

T ris

k co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Una

utho

rized

Use

of a

Veh

icle

, 3rd

or 2

nd (s

ee b

elow

, PL

165.

05 &

16

5.06

).

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“the

ft” A

F be

caus

e st

atut

e en

com

pass

es

taki

ng p

rope

rty b

y co

nsen

t fra

udul

ently

obt

aine

d. S

ee M

atte

r of G

arci

a-M

adru

ga, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 4

36 (B

IA 2

008)

; Baz

uaye

v. M

ukas

ey, 2

73 F

ed.

App

’x 7

7 (2

d C

ir. 2

008)

(unp

ublis

hed)

.2.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“fra

ud o

r dec

eit”

AF

beca

use

stat

ute

enco

m-

pass

es ta

king

pro

perty

with

out c

onse

nt.

See

Mat

ter o

f Gar

cia-

Mad

ruga

, 24

I&N

Dec

. 436

(BIA

200

8).

Gra

nd la

rcen

y,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

155.

35

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF.

Mig

ht b

e “fr

aud

or

dece

it” A

F re

gard

less

of

sen

tenc

e if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

sh

ows

that

larc

eny

was

acc

ompl

ishe

d by

fra

ud o

r dec

eit,

and

if ev

iden

ce (w

heth

er o

r no

t par

t of R

OC

) tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct

show

s lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss to

vic

tim e

xcee

ding

$1

0,00

0.

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “th

eft”

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e. I

f thi

s is

not

pos

sibl

e, w

here

loss

or

inte

nded

loss

to c

ompl

aina

nt is

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00, m

inim

ize

risk

of

“thef

t” A

F by

affi

rmat

ivel

y es

tabl

ishi

ng in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at la

rcen

y w

as

acco

mpl

ishe

d by

frau

d or

dec

eit (

e.g.

, PL

155.

05(2

)(a)

, (d)

).2.

If a

llege

d lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss e

xcee

ds $

10,0

00, t

o de

crea

se “f

raud

or

dec

eit A

F” ri

sk, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al P

os-

sess

ion

of S

tole

n P

rope

rty, 4

th o

r 3rd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 16

5.45

& 1

65.5

0).

If pl

eadi

ng to

155

.35

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, a

ffirm

ativ

ely

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at la

rcen

y w

as n

ot a

ccom

plis

hed

by fr

aud

or d

ecei

t (e.

g.,

PL

155.

05(2

)(a)

, (d)

) and

/or t

hat l

oss

to c

ompl

aina

nt w

as n

o m

ore

than

$1

0,00

0 (s

ee A

ppen

dix

L).

3. If

the

alle

gatio

n is

car

thef

t, to

avo

id C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of U

naut

horiz

ed U

se o

f a V

ehic

le, 3

rd o

r 2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 16

5.05

& 1

65.0

6).

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“the

ft” A

F be

caus

e st

atut

e en

com

pass

es

taki

ng p

rope

rty b

y co

nsen

t fra

udul

ently

obt

aine

d. S

ee M

atte

r of G

arci

a-M

adru

ga, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 4

36 (B

IA 2

008)

; Baz

uaye

v. M

ukas

ey, 2

73 F

ed.

App

’x 7

7 (2

d C

ir. 2

008)

(unp

ublis

hed)

.2.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“fra

ud o

r dec

eit”

AF

beca

use

stat

ute

enco

m-

pass

es ta

king

pro

perty

with

out c

onse

nt.

See

Mat

ter o

f Gar

cia-

Mad

ruga

, 24

I&N

Dec

. 436

(BIA

200

8). I

f gov

ernm

ent a

llege

s “fr

aud

or d

ecei

t” A

F, a

rgue

not

AF

whe

re g

over

nmen

t has

faile

d to

pro

ve th

at lo

ss ti

ed to

co

nvic

ted

cond

uct e

xcee

ds $

10,0

00 (e

.g.,

if pl

ea c

ollo

quy

adm

its to

loss

am

ount

of n

o m

ore

than

$10

,000

). S

ee N

ijhaw

an v

. Hol

der,

129

S. C

t. 22

94 (2

009)

.G

rand

larc

eny,

2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

155.

40

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF

and

subs

ectio

n (2

) mig

ht a

lso

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)

mig

ht b

e “fr

aud

or

dece

it” A

F re

gard

less

of

sen

tenc

e if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

sh

ows

that

larc

eny

was

acc

ompl

ishe

d by

fra

ud o

r dec

eit,

and

if ev

iden

ce (w

heth

er o

r no

t par

t of R

OC

) tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct

show

s lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss to

vic

tim e

xcee

ding

$1

0,00

0

Yes.

Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

If a

llege

d lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss e

xcee

ds $

10,0

00, t

o de

crea

se “f

raud

or

dec

eit A

F” ri

sk, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al P

os-

sess

ion

of S

tole

n P

rope

rty, 4

th o

r 3rd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 16

5.45

& 1

65.5

0).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

ffirm

ativ

ely

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at la

rcen

y w

as n

ot a

ccom

plis

hed

by fr

aud

or d

ecei

t (e.

g., P

L 15

5.05

(2)(

a),(d

)) a

nd/

or th

at lo

ss to

com

plai

nant

was

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00 (s

ee A

ppen

dix

L). (

But

not

e th

at o

ffens

e w

ill s

till p

roba

bly

be “t

heft”

and

/or “

crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F if

sent

ence

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e is

impo

sed)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Gra

nd la

rcen

y,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

155.

42

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF.

Mig

ht b

e “fr

aud

or

dece

it” A

F re

gard

less

of

sen

tenc

e if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

sh

ows

that

larc

eny

was

acc

ompl

ishe

d by

fra

ud o

r dec

eit,

and

if ev

iden

ce (w

heth

er o

r no

t par

t of R

OC

) tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct

show

s lo

ss o

r int

ende

d lo

ss to

vic

tim e

xcee

ding

$1

0,00

0.

Yes.

Rob

bery

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

160.

05

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

is “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” and

“the

ft” A

F.

Yes.

Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

da

ys o

r les

s) if

pos

sibl

e.

Rob

bery

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

160.

10

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

is “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” and

“the

ft” A

F.

Yes.

S

ubse

ctio

n 2(

b) p

roba

bly

is

FO if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

plea

to R

obbe

ry, 3

rd w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

day

s or

less

(see

abo

ve, P

L 16

0.05

) if p

ossi

ble.

Rob

bery

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

160.

15

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

is “c

rime

of

viol

ence

” and

“the

ft” A

F.

Yes.

S

ubse

ctio

ns (2

), (3

) and

(4

) are

FO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

offe

nse

invo

lved

a fi

rear

m.

Una

utho

rized

us

e of

veh

icle

, 3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

165.

05

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

mig

ht b

e “th

eft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “th

eft”

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64

days

or l

ess)

.

Una

utho

rized

us

e of

veh

icle

, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

165.

06

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “th

eft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

da

ys o

r les

s) if

pos

sibl

e.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Una

utho

rized

us

e of

veh

icle

, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

165.

08

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “th

eft”

AF.

May

be, p

artic

ular

ly

if de

fend

ant

inte

nded

to u

se

vehi

cle

in th

e co

mm

issi

on o

f a

CIM

T. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, su

pra.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64

days

or l

ess)

if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Una

utho

rized

Use

of V

ehic

le, 2

nd w

ith a

sen

tenc

e of

364

day

s or

less

(see

abo

ve, P

L 16

5.05

) if p

ossi

ble.

If p

lead

ing

to

165.

08 c

anno

t be

avoi

ded,

spe

cify

und

erly

ing

inte

nded

offe

nse

in p

lea

allo

cutio

n th

at is

NO

T a

CIM

T; if

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

leav

e re

cord

vag

ue

as to

und

erly

ing

crim

e in

tend

ed.

See

“Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,”

supr

a.Th

eft o

f se

rvic

es

Viol

atio

n

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

165.

15

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “th

eft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e. I

f thi

s is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

min

imiz

e ris

k of

“the

ft” A

F,

if po

ssib

le c

reat

e re

cord

at a

llocu

tion

that

thef

t was

acc

ompl

ishe

d by

co

nsen

t of o

wne

r fra

udul

ently

or d

ecei

tfully

obt

aine

d (e

.g.,

PL

165.

15(3

) un

der “

dece

ptio

n” p

rong

).2.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.04

). If

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

Ts, c

onsi

der a

ltern

a-tiv

e of

fens

e of

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it P

L 16

5.15

, whi

ch a

s a

B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger d

epor

tabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5 y

ears

of

adm

issi

on.”

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

“the

ft” A

F be

caus

e st

atut

e en

com

pass

es

taki

ng p

rope

rty b

y co

nsen

t fra

udul

ently

obt

aine

d. S

ee M

atte

r of G

arci

a-M

adru

ga, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 4

36 (B

IA 2

008)

; cf.

Baz

uaye

v. M

ukas

ey, 2

73

Fed.

App

’x 7

7 (2

d C

ir. 2

008)

(unp

ublis

hed)

.2.

Arg

ue n

ot a

CIM

T be

caus

e of

fens

e do

es n

ot re

quire

inte

nt to

de-

priv

e an

y pe

rson

or e

ntity

of p

rope

rty, b

ut o

nly

inte

nt to

obt

ain

use

of a

se

rvic

e. S

ee P

L 15

5.00

(1),

(8) (

prov

idin

g ex

clus

ive

defin

ition

s of

“pro

p-er

ty” a

nd “s

ervi

ce”)

; Peo

ple

v. W

alte

rs, 8

62 8

10 (N

.Y. C

rim. C

t. 20

05)

(unp

ublis

hed)

(“[A

] ser

vice

is n

ot p

rope

rty, a

nd p

rope

rty is

not

a s

ervi

ce,

and

the

pena

l law

reco

gniz

es th

e di

ffere

nce

betw

een

the

two.

”); M

atte

r of

G, 2

I&N

Dec

. 235

(BIA

194

5) (p

rede

cess

or N

Y st

atut

e no

t CIM

T);

U.S

. ex

rel.

Font

an v

. Uhl

, 16

F. S

upp.

428

(SD

NY

1936

) (ta

king

oce

an

pass

age

with

out p

aym

ent n

ot C

IMT)

. Jo

stlin

g

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

165.

25

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

sto

len

prop

erty

, 5th

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

165.

40

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or

less

).2.

To

avoi

d C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), Tr

espa

ss (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

04)

or J

ostli

ng (s

ee b

elow

, PL

165.

25);

if th

e al

lega

tion

is c

ar th

eft,

also

co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Una

utho

rized

Use

of a

Veh

icle

, 3rd

(see

ab

ove,

PL

165.

05 &

165

.06)

. If t

his

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to re

duce

(but

not

el

imin

ate)

CIM

T ris

k av

oid

spec

ific

adm

issi

on to

requ

isite

inte

nt (s

ee P

L 16

5.55

(1))

. If

the

stra

tegi

es in

the

prec

edin

g se

nten

ces

are

not p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

Ts, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

atte

mpt

(P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

165.

40, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

tri

gger

dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f adm

issi

on.”

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n m

ay b

e pr

emis

ed o

n pr

esum

p-tio

n, n

ot a

ctua

l find

ing,

that

per

son

poss

esse

d pr

oper

ty w

ith in

tent

to

bene

fit h

imse

lf or

ano

ther

. B

ut s

ee M

iche

l v. I

NS

, 206

F.3

d 25

3 (2

d C

ir.

2000

) (ho

ldin

g th

at 1

65.4

0 is

CIM

T w

ithou

t con

side

ring

this

arg

umen

t);

see

also

Bro

oks

v. H

olde

r, 62

1 F.

3d 8

8 (2

d C

ir. 2

010)

(rej

ectin

g si

mila

r ar

gum

ent w

ith re

gard

to s

tatu

tory

pre

sum

ptio

n of

inte

nt to

use

wea

pon

unla

wfu

lly).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

sto

len

prop

erty

, 4th

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

165.

45

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“th

eft”

AF.

Sub

sect

ion

(7),

if th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n sh

ows

the

prop

erty

invo

lved

to

be

anhy

drou

s am

mon

ia, p

roba

bly

is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

rega

rdle

ss o

f sen

tenc

e.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Sub

sect

ion

(7) p

roba

bly

is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“thef

t” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o av

oid

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

or C

SO

risk

, avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (7

).3.

To

avoi

d C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Jos

tling

(s

ee a

bove

, PL

165.

25);

if th

e al

lega

tion

is p

osse

ssio

n of

sto

len

vehi

cle,

al

so c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Una

utho

rized

Use

of a

Veh

icle

, 3rd

or

2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 16

5.05

& 1

65.0

6).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

re-

duce

(but

not

elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

avoi

d sp

ecifi

c ad

mis

sion

to re

quis

ite

inte

nt (s

ee P

L 16

5.55

(1))

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n m

ay b

e pr

emis

ed o

n pr

esum

p-tio

n, n

ot a

ctua

l find

ing,

that

per

son

poss

esse

d pr

oper

ty w

ith in

tent

to

bene

fit h

imse

lf or

ano

ther

. B

ut s

ee M

iche

l v. I

NS

, 206

F.3

d 25

3 (2

d C

ir.

2000

) (ho

ldin

g th

at 1

65.4

0 is

CIM

T w

ithou

t con

side

ring

this

arg

umen

t);

see

also

Bro

oks

v. H

olde

r, 62

1 F.

3d 8

8 (2

d C

ir. 2

010)

(rej

ectin

g si

mila

r ar

gum

ent w

ith re

gard

to s

tatu

tory

pre

sum

ptio

n of

inte

nt to

use

wea

pon

unla

wfu

lly).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

sto

len

prop

erty

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

165.

50

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

is “t

heft”

AF

in F

ifth

Circ

uit a

nd is

pr

obab

ly “t

heft”

AF

in

othe

r jur

isdi

ctio

ns.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

..

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“thef

t” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

the

alle

gatio

n is

pos

sess

ion

of s

tole

n ve

hicl

e, to

avo

id C

IMT

risk

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of U

naut

horiz

ed U

se o

f a V

ehic

le, 3

rd o

r 2n

d (s

ee a

bove

, PL

165.

05 &

165

.06)

. If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to re

duce

(b

ut n

ot e

limin

ate)

CIM

T ris

k av

oid

spec

ific

adm

issi

on to

requ

isite

inte

nt

(see

PL

165.

55(1

)).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n m

ay b

e pr

emis

ed o

n pr

esum

p-tio

n, n

ot a

ctua

l find

ing,

that

per

son

poss

esse

d pr

oper

ty w

ith in

tent

to

bene

fit h

imse

lf or

ano

ther

. B

ut s

ee M

iche

l v. I

NS

, 206

F.3

d 25

3 (2

d C

ir.

2000

) (ho

ldin

g th

at 1

65.4

0 is

CIM

T w

ithou

t con

side

ring

this

arg

umen

t);

see

also

Bro

oks

v. H

olde

r, 62

1 F.

3d 8

8 (2

d C

ir. 2

010)

(rej

ectin

g si

mila

r ar

gum

ent w

ith re

gard

to s

tatu

tory

pre

sum

ptio

n of

inte

nt to

use

wea

pon

unla

wfu

lly).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

sto

len

prop

erty

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

165.

52

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

(but

not

elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

avoi

d sp

ecifi

c ad

mis

sion

to

requ

isite

inte

nt (s

ee P

L 16

5.55

(1))

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n m

ay b

e pr

emis

ed o

n pr

esum

p-tio

n, n

ot a

ctua

l find

ing,

that

per

son

poss

esse

d pr

oper

ty w

ith in

tent

to

bene

fit h

imse

lf or

ano

ther

. B

ut s

ee M

iche

l v. I

NS

, 206

F.3

d 25

3 (2

d C

ir.

2000

) (ho

ldin

g th

at 1

65.4

0 is

CIM

T w

ithou

t con

side

ring

this

arg

umen

t);

see

also

Bro

oks

v. H

olde

r, 62

1 F.

3d 8

8 (2

d C

ir. 2

010)

(rej

ectin

g si

mila

r ar

gum

ent w

ith re

gard

to s

tatu

tory

pre

sum

ptio

n of

inte

nt to

use

wea

pon

unla

wfu

lly).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

sto

len

prop

erty

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

165.

54

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“the

ft”

AF.

Pro

babl

y. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

(but

not

elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

avoi

d sp

ecifi

c ad

mis

sion

to

requ

isite

inte

nt (s

ee P

L 16

5.55

(1))

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

conv

ictio

n m

ay b

e pr

emis

ed o

n pr

esum

p-tio

n, n

ot a

ctua

l find

ing,

that

per

son

poss

esse

d pr

oper

ty w

ith in

tent

to

bene

fit h

imse

lf or

ano

ther

. B

ut s

ee, e

.g.,

Bro

oks

v. H

olde

r, 62

1 F.

3d 8

8 (2

d C

ir. S

ept.

27, 2

010)

(rej

ectin

g si

mila

r arg

umen

t with

rega

rd to

sta

tu-

tory

pre

sum

ptio

n of

inte

nt to

use

wea

pon

unla

wfu

lly).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Trad

emar

k co

unte

rfeiti

ng,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

165.

71If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

ye

ar, m

ight

be

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F.

Pro

babl

y,

espe

cial

ly w

here

de

fend

ant h

as

inte

nt to

def

raud

or

dece

ive

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a..

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or

less

).2.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

on-

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or,

for o

ffens

es c

omm

itted

in N

YC

, vio

la-

tion

of A

dmin

istra

tive

Cod

e 20

-453

(ven

dor’s

lice

nse

requ

ired)

. W

here

th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e or

for o

ffens

es o

utsi

de N

YC

), to

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

cons

ider

alte

rnat

e pl

ea to

Fai

lure

to D

iscl

ose

the

Orig

in o

f a R

ecor

ding

, 2d

deg

ree

(see

bel

ow, P

L 27

5.35

). If

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it P

L 16

5.71

, whi

ch a

s a

B m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

ort-

abili

ty a

s “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5 y

ears

of a

dmis

sion

.” T

o re

duce

(tho

ugh

not

elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

whe

n pl

eadi

ng to

this

offe

nse,

if p

ossi

ble

spec

ify in

pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

offe

nse

was

com

mitt

ed w

ith in

tent

to e

vade

a la

w-

ful r

estri

ctio

n on

sal

e/re

sale

(as

oppo

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r de

fraud

) and

that

no-

one

was

dec

eive

d or

def

raud

ed b

y de

fend

ant’s

co

nduc

t. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Trad

emar

k co

unte

rfeiti

ng,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

165.

72If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F. I

f th

e lo

ss to

the

vict

im(s

) ex

ceed

s $1

0,00

0, m

ight

al

so b

e “fr

aud”

AF

espe

cial

ly if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

defra

ud o

r dec

eive

(as

oppo

sed

to e

vade

a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n).

Pro

babl

y,

espe

cial

ly w

here

de

fend

ant h

as

inte

nt to

def

raud

or

dece

ive

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or

mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e.2.

To

decr

ease

“fra

ud” A

F ris

k, s

peci

fy in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

eva

de a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n on

sal

e/re

sale

(as

oppo

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r def

raud

). S

ee V

alan

si v

. Ash

crof

t, 27

8 F.

3d 2

03 (3

d C

ir. 2

002)

. In

add

ition

, if p

ossi

ble

spec

ify in

the

plea

co

lloqu

y th

at th

e lo

ss a

mou

nt (a

s op

pose

d to

reta

il va

lue)

did

not

ex-

ceed

$10

,000

(see

App

endi

x L)

.3.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

for o

ffens

es c

omm

itted

in N

YC

, con

side

r alte

r-na

te p

lea

to v

iola

tion

of A

dmin

istra

tive

Cod

e 20

-453

(ven

dor’s

lice

nse

requ

ired)

. W

here

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

(or f

or o

ffens

es o

utsi

de N

YC

), to

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

cons

ider

alte

rnat

e pl

ea to

Fai

lure

to D

iscl

ose

the

Orig

in o

f a R

ecor

ding

,1st

or 2

d de

gree

(see

bel

ow, P

L 27

5.35

, 275

.40)

. If

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

a-tiv

e of

fens

e of

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it P

L 16

5.71

, whi

ch a

s a

B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger d

epor

tabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5 y

ears

of

adm

issi

on.”

To

redu

ce (t

houg

h no

t elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

whe

n pl

ead-

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e, if

pos

sibl

e sp

ecify

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

offe

nse

was

co

mm

itted

with

inte

nt to

eva

de a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n on

sal

e/re

sale

(as

oppo

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r def

raud

) and

that

no-

one

was

de

ceiv

ed o

r def

raud

ed b

y de

fend

ant’s

con

duct

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

of-

fens

es, s

upra

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Trad

emar

k co

unte

rfeiti

ng,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

165.

73If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F.

If th

e lo

ss to

the

com

plai

nant

(s) e

xcee

ds

$10,

000,

mig

ht a

lso

be

“frau

d” A

F es

peci

ally

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

def

raud

or d

ecei

ve

(as

oppo

sed

to e

vade

a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n).

Pro

babl

y,

espe

cial

ly w

here

de

fend

ant h

as

inte

nt to

def

raud

or

dece

ive

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Tra

de-

mar

k C

ount

erfe

iting

, 3rd

or 2

nd a

nd g

et s

ente

nce

of 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss

(see

abo

ve, P

L 16

5.71

& 1

65.7

2) if

pos

sibl

e.2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of “

fraud

” AF,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

if po

s-si

ble

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(reg

ardl

ess

of re

tail

valu

e) (s

ee A

ppen

dix

L); a

nd/o

r spe

cify

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

offe

nse

was

co

mm

itted

with

inte

nt to

eva

de a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n on

sal

e/re

sale

(as

op-

pose

d to

with

inte

nt to

dec

eive

or d

efra

ud).

See

Val

ansi

v. A

shcr

oft,

278

F.3d

203

(3d

Cir.

200

2).

3. T

o av

oid

CIM

T fo

r offe

nses

com

mitt

ed in

NY

C, c

onsi

der a

lter-

nate

ple

a to

vio

latio

n of

Adm

inis

trativ

e C

ode

20-4

53 (v

endo

r’s li

cens

e re

quire

d).

Whe

re th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e (o

r for

offe

nses

out

side

NY

C),

to

redu

ce C

IMT

risk

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Failu

re to

Dis

-cl

ose

the

Orig

in o

f a R

ecor

ding

, 1st

or 2

d de

gree

(see

bel

ow, P

L 27

5.35

, 27

5.40

). If

that

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T, c

onsi

der

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

165.

71, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger d

epor

tabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5

year

s of

adm

issi

on.”

To

redu

ce (t

houg

h no

t elim

inat

e) C

IMT

risk

whe

n pl

eadi

ng to

this

offe

nse,

if p

ossi

ble

spec

ify in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

eva

de a

law

ful r

estri

ctio

n on

sal

e/re

sale

(a

s op

pose

d to

with

inte

nt to

dec

eive

or d

efra

ud) a

nd th

at n

o-on

e w

as

dece

ived

or d

efra

uded

by

defe

ndan

t’s c

ondu

ct.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

-fe

nses

, sup

ra.

Forg

ery,

3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

170.

05

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

prob

ably

is

“forg

ery”

AF.

If th

e lo

ss

to th

e co

mpl

aina

nt(s

) ex

ceed

s $1

0,00

0,

mig

ht a

lso

be “f

raud

” A

F es

peci

ally

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

defra

ud o

r dec

eive

(as

oppo

sed

to in

jure

).

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “fo

rger

y” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r (ge

t 364

da

ys o

r les

s).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “fra

ud” A

F, s

peci

fy in

the

plea

col

loqu

y th

at th

e lo

ss a

mou

nt d

id n

ot e

xcee

d $1

0,00

0 (S

ee A

ppen

dix

L); a

nd/o

r spe

cify

in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

inju

re (a

s op

-po

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r def

raud

). S

ee V

alan

si v

. Ash

crof

t, 27

8 F.

3d 2

03 (3

d C

ir. 2

002)

.

(Tip

s fo

r def

ense

law

yers

and

Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs

cont

inue

d on

nex

t pag

e)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

(con

tinue

d)

Forg

ery,

3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

170.

05(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

(con

tinue

d):

3. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L,

140.

05).

If th

ese

are

not p

ossi

ble,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

may

pr

eser

ve th

e po

tent

ial a

rgum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

a C

IMT,

suc

h as

Offe

ring

a Fa

lse

Inst

rum

ent f

or F

iling

, 2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 17

5.30

) or

Mak

ing

a P

unis

habl

e Fa

lse

Writ

ten

Sta

tem

ent (

see

belo

w, P

L 21

0.45

). If

thes

e ar

e no

t pos

sibl

e an

d if

clie

nt h

as n

o pr

ior C

IMTs

, con

side

r alte

rna-

tive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

170.

05, w

hich

as

a B

m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f ad

mis

sion

.”

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot “f

raud

” AF

whe

re g

over

nmen

t has

faile

d to

est

ablis

h lo

ss

of m

ore

than

$10

,000

spe

cific

ally

tied

to c

onvi

cted

con

duct

(e.g

., if

plea

co

lloqu

y ad

mits

to lo

ss a

mou

nt o

f no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00).

See

Nijh

a-w

an v

. Hol

der,

129

S. C

t. 22

94 (2

009)

.Fo

rger

y, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

170.

10

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“fo

rger

y” A

F. If

the

loss

to

the

com

plai

nant

(s)

exce

eds

$10,

000,

m

ight

als

o be

“fra

ud”

AF

espe

cial

ly if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

elem

ent o

f int

ent t

o de

fraud

or d

ecei

ve (a

s op

pose

d to

inju

re).

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “fo

rger

y” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000;

and

/or s

peci

fy in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at

offe

nse

was

com

mitt

ed w

ith in

tent

to in

jure

(as

oppo

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to

dec

eive

or d

efra

ud).

See

Val

ansi

v. A

shcr

oft,

278

F.3d

203

(3d

Cir.

20

02).

3. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

may

pr

eser

ve th

e po

tent

ial a

rgum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

a C

IMT,

suc

h as

Offe

ring

a Fa

lse

Inst

rum

ent f

or F

iling

, 2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 17

5.30

) or

Mak

ing

a P

unis

habl

e Fa

lse

Writ

ten

Sta

tem

ent (

see

belo

w, P

L 21

0.45

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot “f

raud

” AF

whe

re g

over

nmen

t has

faile

d to

est

ablis

h lo

ss

of m

ore

than

$10

,000

spe

cific

ally

tied

to c

onvi

cted

con

duct

(e.g

., if

plea

co

lloqu

y ad

mits

to lo

ss a

mou

nt o

f no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00).

See

Nijh

a-w

an v

. Hol

der,

129

S. C

t. 22

94 (2

009)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Forg

ery,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

170.

15

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“fo

rger

y” A

F. If

the

loss

to

the

com

plai

nant

(s)

exce

eds

$10,

000,

m

ight

als

o be

“fra

ud”

AF

espe

cial

ly if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

elem

ent o

f int

ent t

o de

fraud

or d

ecei

ve (a

s op

pose

d to

inju

re).

Yes.

Ti

p fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs:

1. A

rgue

not

“fra

ud” A

F w

here

gov

ernm

ent h

as fa

iled

to e

stab

lish

loss

of

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00 s

peci

fical

ly ti

ed to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct (e

.g.,

if pl

ea

collo

quy

adm

its to

loss

am

ount

of n

o m

ore

than

$10

,000

). S

ee N

ijha-

wan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

(200

9).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

a fo

rged

in

stru

men

t, 3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

170.

20

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

is p

roba

bly

“forg

ery”

A

F. If

the

loss

to th

e co

mpl

aina

nt(s

) exc

eeds

$1

0,00

0, m

ight

als

o be

“fr

aud”

AF

espe

cial

ly

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

elem

ent o

f int

ent

to d

efra

ud o

r dec

eive

(a

s op

pose

d to

inju

re).

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “fo

rger

y” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r (ge

t 364

da

ys o

r les

s).

2. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

; and

/or s

peci

fy in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

inju

re (a

s op

pose

d to

w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r def

raud

). S

ee V

alan

si v

. Ash

crof

t, 27

8 F.

3d 2

03

(3d

Cir.

200

2).

3. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L,

140.

05).

If th

ese

are

not p

ossi

ble,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

may

pr

eser

ve th

e po

tent

ial a

rgum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

a C

IMT,

suc

h as

Offe

ring

a Fa

lse

Inst

rum

ent f

or F

iling

, 2nd

Deg

ree

(see

bel

ow, P

L 17

5.30

) or M

akin

g a

Pun

isha

ble

Fals

e W

ritte

n S

tate

men

t (se

e be

low

, PL

210.

45);

if th

ese

are

not p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

Ts, c

on-

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

170.

20, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger d

epor

tabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5

year

s of

adm

issi

on.”

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

If g

over

nmen

t alle

ges

“frau

d or

dec

eit”

AF,

arg

ue n

ot A

F (1

) bec

ause

fra

ud o

r dec

eit i

s no

t a n

eces

sary

ele

men

t of t

he o

ffens

e; (2

) whe

re g

ov-

ernm

ent h

as fa

iled

to e

stab

lish

loss

of m

ore

than

$10

,000

spe

cific

ally

tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct (e

.g.,

if pl

ea c

ollo

quy

adm

its to

loss

am

ount

of

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00).

See

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

(2

009)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

a fo

rged

in

stru

men

t, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

170.

25

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

is p

roba

bly

“forg

ery”

AF.

If th

e lo

ss

to th

e co

mpl

aina

nt(s

) ex

ceed

s $1

0,00

0,

mig

ht a

lso

be “f

raud

” A

F es

peci

ally

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

defra

ud o

r dec

eive

(as

oppo

sed

to in

jure

).

Yes.

Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

: 1.

To

avoi

d “fo

rger

y” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

; and

/or s

peci

fy in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

inju

re (a

s op

pose

d to

w

ith in

tent

to d

ecei

ve o

r def

raud

). S

ee V

alan

si v

. Ash

crof

t, 27

8 F.

3d 2

03

(3d

Cir.

200

2).

3. C

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at m

ay p

rese

rve

the

pote

ntia

l arg

u-m

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

a C

IMT

such

as

Offe

ring

a Fa

lse

Inst

ru-

men

t for

Fili

ng, 2

nd (s

ee b

elow

, PL

175.

30) o

r Mak

ing

a P

unis

habl

e Fa

lse

Writ

ten

Sta

tem

ent (

see

belo

w, P

L 21

0.45

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

If g

over

nmen

t alle

ges

“frau

d or

dec

eit”

AF,

arg

ue n

ot A

F (1

) bec

ause

fra

ud o

r dec

eit i

s no

t a n

eces

sary

ele

men

t of t

he o

ffens

e; (2

) whe

re g

ov-

ernm

ent h

as fa

iled

to e

stab

lish

loss

of m

ore

than

$10

,000

spe

cific

ally

tie

d to

con

vict

ed c

ondu

ct (e

.g.,

if pl

ea c

ollo

quy

adm

its to

loss

am

ount

of

no

mor

e th

an $

10,0

00).

See

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

(2

009)

. C

rimin

al

poss

essi

on

of a

forg

ed

inst

rum

ent,

1st

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

170.

30

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

is p

roba

bly

“forg

ery”

AF.

If th

e lo

ss

to th

e co

mpl

aina

nt(s

) ex

ceed

s $1

0,00

0,

mig

ht a

lso

be “f

raud

” A

F, e

spec

ially

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

defra

ud o

r dec

eive

(as

oppo

sed

to in

jure

).

Yes.

Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

decr

ease

“fra

ud” A

F ris

k, s

peci

fy in

the

plea

col

loqu

y th

at th

e lo

ss a

mou

nt d

id n

ot e

xcee

d $1

0,00

0 (s

ee A

ppen

dix

L); a

nd/o

r spe

cify

in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

inju

re (a

s op

pose

d to

with

inte

nt to

dec

eive

or d

efra

ud).

See

Val

ansi

v. A

shcr

oft,

278

F.3d

203

(3d

Cir.

200

2).

Tam

perin

g w

ith

publ

ic re

cord

s,

2nd d

egre

e

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

175.

20P

roba

bly

NO

T.M

aybe

.Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve,

PL

140.

05).

If th

ese

are

not p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T,

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

175.

20,

whi

ch a

s a

B m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f adm

issi

on.”



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tam

perin

g w

ith

publ

ic re

cord

s,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

175.

25If

the

loss

to th

e vi

ctim

(s) e

xcee

ds

$10,

000,

mig

ht b

e “fr

aud”

AF.

Yes.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

.2.

Con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

may

pre

serv

e th

e po

tent

ial

argu

men

t tha

t the

con

vict

ion

is n

ot a

CIM

T su

ch a

s Ta

mpe

ring

with

P

ublic

Rec

ords

, 2d

degr

ee (P

L 17

5.20

, abo

ve),

Offe

ring

a Fa

lse

Inst

rum

ent f

or F

iling

, 2nd

(see

bel

ow, P

L 17

5.30

) or M

akin

g a

Pun

isha

ble

Fals

e W

ritte

n S

tate

men

t (se

e be

low

, PL

210.

45).

Offe

ring

a fa

lse

inst

rum

ent

for fi

ling,

2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

175.

30P

roba

bly

NO

T.M

aybe

, esp

ecia

lly

if de

fend

ant

inte

nded

to

defra

ud o

r if p

ublic

of

fice

or s

erva

nt

was

def

raud

ed o

r of

fens

e co

nduc

t ot

herw

ise

impa

ired

effic

ienc

y of

go

vern

men

t fu

nctio

n. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, su

pra.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20) o

r Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05).

To

redu

ce C

IMT

risk,

spe

cify

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

def

enda

nt

did

not i

nten

d to

def

raud

, tha

t pub

lic o

ffice

or s

erva

nt w

as n

ot d

efra

uded

an

d th

at o

ffens

e co

nduc

t did

not

oth

erw

ise

impa

ir ef

ficie

ncy

of a

ny

gove

rnm

ent f

unct

ion.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

. If

thes

e su

gges

tions

are

not

pos

sibl

e an

d if

clie

nt h

as n

o pr

ior C

IMT,

con

side

r al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

atte

mpt

(PL

110.

00) t

o co

mm

it P

L 17

5.30

, whi

ch

as a

B m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

ye

ars

of a

dmis

sion

.”

Offe

ring

a fa

lse

inst

rum

ent

for fi

ling,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

175.

35If

the

loss

to th

e co

mpl

aina

nt(s

) exc

eeds

$1

0,00

0, m

ight

be

“frau

d” A

F.

Yes.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

.2.

To

pres

erve

the

pote

ntia

l arg

umen

t tha

t the

con

vict

ion

mig

ht

not b

e a

CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as O

fferin

g a

Fals

e In

stru

men

t for

Fili

ng, 2

nd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

175.

30) o

r Mak

ing

a P

unis

habl

e Fa

lse

Writ

ten

Sta

tem

ent (

see

belo

w, P

L 21

0.45

).Is

suin

g a

bad

chec

k

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

190.

05

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Fals

e pe

rson

-at

ion

Cla

ss B

mis

de-

mea

nor

190.

23N

o.M

aybe

. See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k, k

eep

reco

rd c

lear

of i

ndic

atio

n of

whe

ther

po-

lice

or p

eace

offi

cer w

as e

ngag

ed in

offi

cial

dut

y at

tim

e of

offe

nse.

See

N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot C

IMT

beca

use

stat

ute

does

not

requ

ire th

at d

efen

dant

in

tend

to h

inde

r per

form

ance

of o

ffici

al d

utie

s or

impa

ir go

vern

men

t fu

nctio

n. S

ee In

re T

ravi

s S

., 68

5 N

.Y.S

.2d

886,

889

(N.Y

. Fam

. Ct.

1999

) (“[T

]he

stat

ute

itsel

f con

tain

s no

lim

iting

lang

uage

in re

gard

to th

e pu

rpos

e fo

r whi

ch a

n in

quiry

abo

ut a

per

son’

s na

me,

add

ress

or d

ate

of

birth

can

be

mad

e. T

here

is n

o la

ngua

ge in

the

stat

ute

whi

ch re

stric

ts

an o

ffice

r’s in

quiry

abo

ut a

per

son’

s na

me,

add

ress

or d

ate

of b

irth

to

situ

atio

ns a

fford

ing

him

or h

er a

law

ful r

ight

to in

quire

”), a

ff’d,

96

N.Y

.2d

818

(200

1);

com

pare

Mat

ter o

f Jur

ado,

24

I&N

Dec

. 29

(BIA

200

6).

Crim

inal

im

pers

onat

ion,

2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

190.

25

If th

e lo

ss to

the

com

plai

nant

(s) e

xcee

ds

$10,

000,

mig

ht b

e “fr

aud

or d

ecei

t” A

F es

peci

ally

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s el

emen

t of i

nten

t to

defra

ud (a

s op

pose

d to

inte

nt to

obt

ain

a be

nefit

or t

o in

jure

)

Pro

babl

y.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

; and

/or s

peci

fy in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at o

ffens

e w

as c

omm

itted

with

inte

nt to

obt

ain

a be

nefit

or

to in

jure

(as

oppo

sed

to w

ith in

tent

to d

efra

ud).

See

Val

ansi

v. A

shcr

oft,

278

F.3d

203

(3d

Cir.

200

2).

2. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), Tr

espa

ss (s

ee a

bove

, PL,

14

0.05

). If

thes

e ar

e no

t pos

sibl

e, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at

may

pre

serv

e th

e po

tent

ial a

rgum

ent t

hat t

he c

onvi

ctio

n is

not

a C

IMT,

su

ch a

s O

fferin

g a

Fals

e In

stru

men

t for

Fili

ng, 2

nd (s

ee b

elow

, PL

175.

30) o

r Mak

ing

a P

unis

habl

e Fa

lse

Writ

ten

Sta

tem

ent (

see

belo

w,

PL

210.

45).

If th

ese

are

not p

ossi

ble

and

if cl

ient

has

no

prio

r CIM

T,

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

190.

25,

whi

ch a

s a

B m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f adm

issi

on.”

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

If g

over

nmen

t alle

ges

“frau

d or

dec

eit”

AF,

arg

ue n

ot A

F (1

) bec

ause

fra

ud o

r dec

eit i

s no

t a n

eces

sary

ele

men

t of t

he o

ffens

e; (2

) in

any

even

t gov

ernm

ent h

as fa

iled

to p

rove

that

loss

to c

ompl

aina

nt e

xcee

ds

$10,

000

(e.g

., if

plea

col

loqu

y ad

mits

to lo

ss a

mou

nt o

f no

mor

e th

an

$10,

000)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

im

pers

onat

ion,

1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

190.

26

If th

e lo

ss to

the

com

plai

nant

(s) e

xcee

ds

$10,

000,

mig

ht b

e “fr

aud

or d

ecei

t” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o de

crea

se “f

raud

” AF

risk,

spe

cify

in th

e pl

ea c

ollo

quy

that

the

loss

am

ount

did

not

exc

eed

$10,

000

(see

App

endi

x L)

.

Res

istin

g ar

rest

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

205.

30

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Hin

derin

g pr

osec

utio

n,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

205.

55

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

pro

babl

y is

“o

bstru

ctio

n of

just

ice”

A

F.

Pro

babl

y (S

ee

App

endi

x E

). P

roba

bly

is N

OT

CS

O,

etc.

, eve

n if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e w

as C

SO

, etc

. (S

ee

App

endi

x E

).

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“obs

truct

ion

of ju

stic

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

ye

ar (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss).

Hin

derin

g pr

osec

utio

n,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

205.

60

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“o

bstru

ctio

n of

just

ice”

A

F.

Pro

babl

y (S

ee

App

endi

x E

).P

roba

bly

is N

OT

CS

O,

etc.

, eve

n if

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e w

as C

SO

, etc

. (S

ee

App

endi

x E

).

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“obs

truct

ion

of ju

stic

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

ye

ar o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e.

Hin

derin

g pr

osec

utio

n,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

205.

65

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

pro

babl

y is

“o

bstru

ctio

n of

just

ice”

A

F.

May

be.

Pro

babl

y is

NO

T C

SO

, et

c., e

ven

if un

derly

ing

offe

nse

was

CS

O, e

tc. (

See

A

ppen

dix

E).

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“obs

truct

ion

of ju

stic

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

ye

ar o

r mor

e (g

et 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss) i

f pos

sibl

e.

Per

jury

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

210.

05N

O, u

nles

s te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear,

in w

hich

ca

se m

ight

be

“per

jury

” A

F.

May

be, e

spec

ially

w

here

per

jure

d st

atem

ent i

s m

ater

ial t

o pr

ocee

ding

See

N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“per

jury

” AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64

days

or l

ess)

.2.

To

decr

ease

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20) o

r Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05).

If th

is is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

dec

reas

e C

IMT

risk,

spe

cify

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

per

jure

d st

atem

ent w

as n

ot m

ater

ial.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

. If

thes

e su

gges

tions

are

not

pos

sibl

e an

d if

clie

nt h

as

no p

rior C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

210.

05, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger d

epor

t-ab

ility

as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f adm

issi

on.”

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

(con

tinue

d)

Per

jury

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

210.

05(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(c

ontin

ued)

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CIM

T be

caus

e m

ater

ialit

y is

not

a re

quire

d el

emen

t for

co

nvic

tion.

See

, e.g

., M

atte

r of R

, 2 I&

N D

ec. 8

19 (B

IA 1

947)

, Mat

ter o

f H

, 1 I&

N D

ec. 6

69 (B

IA 1

943)

.

Per

jury

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

210.

10If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, m

ight

be

“per

jury

” AF.

Yes.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“per

jury

” AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64

days

or l

ess)

if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o de

crea

se C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Per

-ju

ry 3

rd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

210.

05).

Per

jury

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

210.

15If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, is

pro

babl

y “p

erju

ry” A

F.

Yes

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“per

jury

” AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64

days

or l

ess)

if p

ossi

ble.

Mak

ing

a pu

nish

able

fa

lse

writ

ten

stat

emen

t

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

210.

45P

roba

bly

NO

T.M

aybe

. Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d C

IMT

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

). If

thes

e ar

e no

t pos

sibl

e an

d if

clie

nt h

as n

o pr

ior C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rna-

tive

offe

nse

of a

ttem

pt (P

L 11

0.00

) to

com

mit

PL

210.

45, w

hich

as

a B

m

isde

mea

nor w

ill n

ot tr

igge

r dep

orta

bilit

y as

“1 C

IMT

with

in 5

yea

rs o

f ad

mis

sion

.”C

rimin

al

cont

empt

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

215.

50

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e “o

bstru

ctio

n of

just

ice”

A

F.

May

be.

If co

nvic

tion

invo

lves

vi

olat

ion

of a

n or

der o

f pr

otec

tion,

mig

ht tr

igge

r de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

se re

gard

ing

“vio

lato

rs

of p

rote

ctio

n or

ders

.”

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

AF,

avo

id s

ente

nce

impo

sed

of o

ne y

ear (

get 3

64 d

ays

or

less

).2.

If a

llega

tion

invo

lves

vio

latio

n of

ord

er o

f pro

tect

ion

(“O

OP

”), t

o av

oid

depo

rtabi

lity

as a

“vio

lato

r of p

rote

ctio

n or

der,”

avo

id s

ubse

c-tio

n (3

) and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

) or

Crim

inal

Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

15).

If a

ple

a to

sub

sect

ion

(3)

is u

navo

idab

le, t

o re

duce

risk

of d

epor

tabi

lity

for v

iola

tion

of p

rote

ctiv

e or

der,

spec

ify in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at d

efen

dant

did

NO

T vi

olat

e an

y po

r-tio

n of

the

OO

P in

volv

ing

prot

ectio

n ag

ains

t cre

dibl

e th

reat

s of

vio

lenc

e,

repe

ated

har

assm

ent,

or b

odily

inju

ry o

r, at

a m

inim

um, k

eep

reco

rd

vagu

e co

ncer

ning

nat

ure

of v

iola

tion

of O

OP.

3.

To

decr

ease

CIM

T ris

k de

porta

bilit

y, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20),

Res

istin

g A

rres

t (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

30) o

r Crim

inal

Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

15).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

co

ntem

pt, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

215.

51If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

ye

ar o

r mor

e, m

ight

be

“obs

truct

ion

of

just

ice”

AF.

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e,

subs

ectio

ns b

(i),

b(ii)

, (b)

(v) a

nd (b

)(vi

) pr

obab

ly a

re “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

and

su

bsec

tions

(b)(

iii),

(b)

(iv),

(c),

and

(d) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF.

May

be.

If co

nvic

tion

invo

lves

vi

olat

ion

of a

n or

der o

f pr

otec

tion,

sub

sect

ion

(b) p

roba

bly

trigg

ers

depo

rtabi

lity

unde

r CO

DV

cl

ause

rega

rdin

g “v

iola

tors

of

pro

tect

ion

orde

rs”

and

subs

ectio

ns (c

) and

(d

) mig

ht tr

igge

r suc

h de

porta

bilit

y. S

ubse

ctio

n (b

)(i)

is F

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

of

fens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“obs

truct

ion

of ju

stic

e” o

r “cr

ime

of v

iole

nce”

AF,

avo

id s

en-

tenc

e im

pose

d of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

fire

arm

use

is a

llege

d, to

min

imiz

e FO

risk

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (b

)(i)

and

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not h

ave

firea

rms

as a

n el

e-m

ent o

f the

crim

e, s

uch

as s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) or (

2) o

f Atte

mpt

ed A

ssau

lt,

3rd

Deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

0/12

0.00

(1) o

r (2)

). If

ple

adin

g to

sub

sec-

tion

(b)(

i) ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

try

to k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n th

at

the

wea

pon

was

a fi

rear

m.

3. If

alle

gatio

n in

volv

es v

iola

tion

of p

rote

ctio

n or

der,

to a

void

dep

ort-

abili

ty a

s a

“vio

lato

r of p

rote

ctio

n or

der,”

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

ns (b

), (c

) and

(d

) and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee

belo

w, P

L 24

0.20

), C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), C

rimin

al

Tres

pass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.15

) or s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) or (

2) o

f Atte

mpt

ed

Ass

ault,

3rd

Deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

0/12

0.00

(1) o

r (2)

). If

a p

lea

to

subs

ectio

n (c

) or (

d) is

una

void

able

, to

redu

ce ri

sk o

f dep

orta

bilit

y fo

r vi

olat

ion

of p

rote

ctiv

e or

der,

spec

ify in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at d

efen

dant

did

N

OT

viol

ate

any

porti

on o

f the

OO

P in

volv

ing

prot

ectio

n ag

ains

t cre

dibl

e th

reat

s of

vio

lenc

e, re

peat

ed h

aras

smen

t, or

bod

ily in

jury

or,

at a

min

i-m

um, k

eep

reco

rd v

ague

con

cern

ing

natu

re o

f vio

latio

n of

OO

P.B

ail j

umpi

ng,

3rd d

egre

e

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

215.

55M

ight

be

“bai

l jum

ping

” A

F if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

def

enda

nt fa

iled

to

appe

ar in

con

nect

ion

with

any

felo

ny c

harg

e,

OR

that

def

enda

nt

faile

d to

app

ear f

or

serv

ice

of a

sen

tenc

e if

the

unde

rlyin

g of

fens

e is

pun

isha

ble

by

impr

ison

men

t for

a te

rm

of 5

yea

rs o

r mor

e.

No.

Bai

l jum

ping

, 2n

d deg

ree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

215.

56Is

“bai

l jum

ping

” AF.

No.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Bai

l jum

ping

, 2n

d deg

ree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

215.

57Is

“bai

l jum

ping

” AF.

No.

Faili

ng to

re

spon

d to

an

appe

aran

ce

ticke

t

Viol

atio

n

215.

58P

roba

bly

NO

T.N

o.

CP

CS

, 7th

de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

220.

03

NO

if th

is is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse,

unl

ess

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) sh

ows

poss

essi

on

any

amou

nt o

f flu

nitra

zepa

m, i

n w

hich

ca

se is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F. I

f offe

nse

cond

uct

pred

ates

8/3

/201

0 an

d in

volv

es m

ore

than

5g

of c

rack

, mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

A

F. I

f thi

s is

a s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent d

rug

offe

nse,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

RO

C

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

and

co

ntai

ns e

xplic

it fin

ding

of

prio

r dru

g co

nvic

tion

that

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse.

(see

App

. G,

§ 1.

b).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a. S

ee C

PL

216.

05(1

1).

2. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20),

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee

belo

w, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n, 3

rd D

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, P

L 20

5.55

); or

pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

3. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e, k

eep

out o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

Arg

ue th

at s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent o

ffens

e is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fed-

eral

reci

divi

st p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

Car

achu

ri-R

osen

do v

. Hol

der,

130

S. C

t. 25

77 (2

010)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

CS

, 5th

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

220.

06

Con

vict

ion

unde

r “in

tent

to

sel

l” su

bsec

tion

(1) p

roba

bly

is “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

If th

is

is a

firs

t dru

g of

fens

e,

any

othe

r sub

sect

ion

is

NO

T a

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F, u

nles

s R

OC

sh

ows

poss

essi

on

of a

ny a

mou

nt o

f flu

nitra

zepa

m, i

n w

hich

cas

e is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF,

exc

ept

that

if o

ffens

e co

nduc

t pr

edat

es 8

/3/2

010

and

invo

lves

mor

e th

an

5g o

f cra

ck, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e”

AF.

If t

his

is a

sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t dru

g of

fens

e, a

ny s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if R

OC

es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02 a

nd

cont

ains

exp

licit

findi

ng

of p

rior d

rug

conv

ictio

n th

at w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e (s

ee A

pp. G

, §

1.b)

.

Sub

sect

ion

(1)

requ

iring

“int

ent

to s

ell”

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ions

(2

) thr

ough

(8)

prob

ably

are

NO

T C

IMT.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) in

parti

cula

r.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e av

oid

subs

ectio

n (1

) and

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

5. I

f ple

adin

g to

sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s un

avoi

dabl

e, k

eep

reco

rd o

f con

vic-

tion

cons

iste

nt w

ith in

tent

to o

ffer t

o se

ll. S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

do-

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

Cir.

200

7).

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F be

caus

e it

enco

m-

pass

es in

tent

to o

ffer t

o se

ll. S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x

413

(5th

Cir.

201

0) a

nd c

ases

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

-za

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

. 2. A

rgue

NO

T C

SO

if g

over

nmen

t fa

iled

to p

rove

that

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

3. A

rgue

that

sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t offe

nse

is N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

-in

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fe

dera

l rec

idiv

ist p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

4. A

rgue

that

sub

sect

ion

(1) r

equi

ring

“inte

nt to

sel

l” is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

und

er P

L 22

0.00

(1)

incl

udes

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot a

felo

ny u

nder

the

fede

ral C

ontro

lled

Sub

stan

ces

Act

. S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

A

pp’x

413

(5th

Cir.

201

0) a

nd c

ases

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

CS

, 4th

de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

220.

09C

onvi

ctio

n un

der “

inte

nt

to s

ell”

subs

ectio

n (1

3) p

roba

bly

is “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F. I

f thi

s is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse,

an

y ot

her s

ubse

ctio

n is

N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

unl

ess

RO

C s

how

s po

sses

sion

any

am

ount

of

flun

itraz

epam

, in

whi

ch c

ase

prob

ably

is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F, e

xcep

t tha

t if

offe

nse

cond

uct

pred

ates

8/3

/201

0 an

d in

volv

es m

ore

than

5g

of c

rack

, mig

ht

be “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF.

If t

his

is a

sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t dru

g of

fens

e, a

ny s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if R

OC

es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02 a

nd

cont

ains

exp

licit

findi

ng

of p

rior d

rug

conv

ictio

n th

at w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e (s

ee A

pp. G

, §

1.b)

.

Sub

sect

ion

(13)

re

quiri

ng “i

nten

t to

sel

l” m

ight

be

CIM

T. A

ll ot

her

subs

ectio

ns

prob

ably

are

NO

T C

IMT

beca

use

they

do

not r

equi

re

“inte

nt to

sel

l”.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

n (1

3) in

pa

rticu

lar.

3. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); o

r pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al

Sol

icita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 10

0.00

-100

.13)

or C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.4.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

avoi

d su

bsec

tion

(13)

and

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

5. If

ple

adin

g to

sub

sect

ion

(13)

is u

navo

idab

le, k

eep

reco

rd o

f con

vic-

tion

cons

iste

nt w

ith in

tent

to o

ffer t

o se

ll. S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

do-

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

Cir.

200

7).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

Arg

ue th

at s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent o

ffens

e is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fed-

eral

reci

divi

st p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

Car

achu

ri-R

osen

do v

. Hol

der,

130

S. C

t. 25

77 (2

010)

.3.

Arg

ue th

at s

ubse

ctio

n (1

3) re

quiri

ng in

tent

to s

ell i

s N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e” A

F be

caus

e de

finiti

on o

f “se

ll” u

nder

PL

220.

00(1

) in

clud

es o

ffers

to g

ive

drug

s to

ano

ther

, whi

ch is

not

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v. H

olde

r, 38

1 Fe

d.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v.

Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

Cir.

200

7).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

CS

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

220.

16C

onvi

ctio

n un

der “

inte

nt

to s

ell”

subs

ectio

ns (1

) th

roug

h (7

) pro

babl

y is

“d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

(RO

C)

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

. If

this

is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse,

an

y ot

her s

ubse

ctio

n is

N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF

unle

ss R

OC

sh

ows

poss

essi

on

of a

ny a

mou

nt o

f flu

nitra

zepa

m, i

n w

hich

ca

se p

roba

bly

is “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F, e

xcep

t th

at if

offe

nse

cond

uct

pred

ates

8/3

/201

0 an

d in

volv

es m

ore

than

5g

of c

rack

, mig

ht

be “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF.

If t

his

is a

se

cond

or s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e, if

RO

C

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

and

co

ntai

ns e

xplic

it fin

ding

of

prio

r dru

g co

nvic

tion

that

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse,

any

suc

h ot

her

subs

ectio

n m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G, §

1.b

).

Sub

sect

ions

(1

) thr

ough

(7)

requ

iring

“int

ent

to s

ell”

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ions

(8

) thr

ough

(13)

pr

obab

ly a

re N

OT

CIM

T be

caus

e th

ey d

o no

t req

uire

“in

tent

to s

ell.”

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

avo

id s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) th

roug

h (7

) in

parti

cula

r.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e av

oid

subs

ectio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(7) a

nd k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

.5.

If p

lead

ing

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(7) i

s un

avoi

dabl

e, k

eep

re-

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

inte

nt to

offe

r to

sell.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

Arg

ue th

at s

ubse

ctio

ns re

quiri

ng in

tent

to s

ell a

re N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e” A

F be

caus

e de

finiti

on o

f “se

ll” u

nder

PL

220.

00(1

) in

clud

es o

ffers

to g

ive

drug

s to

ano

ther

, whi

ch is

not

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v. H

olde

r, 38

1 Fe

d.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v.

Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

Cir.

200

7).

3. A

rgue

that

sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t offe

nse

is N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e” A

F be

caus

e pr

osec

utio

n di

d no

t mea

ning

fully

cor

resp

ond

to fe

dera

l rec

idiv

ist p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

C

arac

huri-

Ros

endo

v. H

olde

r, 13

0 S

. Ct.

2577

(201

0).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

CS

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

-II

felo

ny

220.

18If

this

is a

firs

t dru

g of

fens

e, it

is N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

unl

ess

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) es

tabl

ishe

s po

sses

sion

of

any

am

ount

of

fluni

traze

pam

, in

whi

ch

case

pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF,

or

unle

ss o

ffens

e co

nduc

t pr

edat

es 8

/3/2

010

and

invo

lves

mor

e th

an

5g o

f cra

ck, i

n w

hich

ca

se m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e” A

F. I

f th

is is

a s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e, if

RO

C

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

and

co

ntai

ns e

xplic

it fin

ding

of

prio

r dru

g co

nvic

tion

that

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a. S

ee C

PL

216.

05(1

1).

2. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); o

r pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al

Sol

icita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 10

0.00

-100

.13)

or C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue th

at s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent o

ffens

e is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fed-

eral

reci

divi

st p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

Car

achu

ri-R

osen

do v

. Hol

der,

130

S. C

t. 25

77 (2

010)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

CS

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

220.

21If

this

is a

firs

t dru

g of

fens

e, it

is N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

unl

ess

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) es

tabl

ishe

s po

sses

sion

of

any

am

ount

of

fluni

traze

pam

, in

whi

ch c

ase

prob

ably

is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F, o

r unl

ess

offe

nse

cond

uct p

reda

tes

8/3/

2010

and

invo

lves

m

ore

than

5g

of c

rack

, in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht

be “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF.

If th

is is

a

seco

nd o

r sub

sequ

ent

drug

offe

nse,

if R

OC

es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02 a

nd

cont

ains

exp

licit

findi

ng

of p

rior d

rug

conv

ictio

n th

at w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G

, § 1

.b)

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Wou

ld b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a. S

ee C

PL

216.

05(1

1).

2. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); o

r pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al

Sol

icita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 10

0.00

-100

.13)

or C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

Arg

ue th

at s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent o

ffens

e is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fed-

eral

reci

divi

st p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

Car

achu

ri-R

osen

do v

. Hol

der,

130

S. C

t. 25

77 (2

010)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Use

of a

Chi

ld

to C

omm

it a

Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

O

ffens

e

E F

elon

y

220.

28P

roba

bly

is “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in

21 U

SC

802

Pro

babl

y.Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

. P

roba

bly

CA

C

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F an

d C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

tiate

di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of “

drug

traf

ficki

ng” A

F an

d C

IMT,

if a

t all

poss

ible

av

oid

this

dru

g of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of

CP

CS

, 7th

deg

ree,

or s

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) – (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 22

0.03

& 2

20.0

6) o

r offe

nses

des

crib

ed in

Tip

3 b

elow

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

, 5th

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

220.

31Is

pro

babl

y “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in

21 U

SC

802

.

Pro

babl

y.Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F an

d C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

tiate

di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of “

drug

traf

ficki

ng” A

F an

d C

IMT,

if a

t all

poss

ible

av

oid

this

dru

g of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of

CP

CS

, 7th

deg

ree,

or s

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) – (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 22

0.03

& 2

20.0

6) o

r offe

nses

des

crib

ed in

Tip

3 b

elow

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

, 4th

de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

220.

34Is

pro

babl

y “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in

21 U

SC

802

.

Pro

babl

y.Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

pre

serv

e po

ssib

le a

rgum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, if

at a

ll po

s-si

ble

plea

d in

stea

d to

sub

sect

ion

(2) t

hrou

gh (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

06) o

r to

subs

ectio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(12)

or (

14) t

o (1

5)

of C

PC

S 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

09).

5. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

, 3rd

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

220.

39

Is p

roba

bly

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oid-

ed, t

o pr

eser

ve p

ossi

ble

argu

men

t aga

inst

AF

or C

IMT,

if a

t all

poss

ible

pl

ead

inst

ead

to s

ubse

ctio

n (2

) thr

ough

(8) o

f CP

CS

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

ab

ove,

PL

220.

06),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(12)

or (

14) t

o (1

5) o

f C

PC

S 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

09),

or to

sub

sect

ions

(8) t

hrou

gh

(13)

of C

PC

S, 3

rd d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

16).

5. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss A

-II

felo

ny

220.

41

Is p

roba

bly

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a. S

ee C

PL

216.

05(1

1).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

pre

serv

e po

ssib

le a

rgum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, if

at a

ll po

s-si

ble

plea

d in

stea

d to

sub

sect

ion

(2) t

hrou

gh (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

06),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(12)

or (

14) t

o (1

5)

of C

PC

S 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

09),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (8

) thr

ough

(1

3) o

f CP

CS

, 3rd

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.16

), or

to a

ny s

ubse

ctio

n of

CP

CS

, 2nd

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.18

).5.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

If po

ssib

le, a

lso

keep

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

cons

iste

nt w

ith o

ffer t

o se

ll.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v. H

olde

r, 38

1 Fe

d. A

pp’x

413

(5th

Cir.

201

0) a

nd

case

s ci

ted

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th

Cir.

200

7).

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss A

-I fe

lony

220.

43

Is p

roba

bly

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a. S

ee C

PL

216.

05(1

1).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

pre

serv

e po

ssib

le a

rgum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, if

at a

ll po

s-si

ble

plea

d in

stea

d to

sub

sect

ion

(2) t

hrou

gh (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

06),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(12)

or (

14) t

o (1

5)

of C

PC

S 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

09),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (8

) thr

ough

(1

3) o

f CP

CS

, 3rd

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.16

), to

any

sub

sect

ion

of

CP

CS

, 2nd

or 1

st d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

18 &

220

.21)

.5.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

If po

ssib

le, a

lso

keep

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

cons

iste

nt w

ith o

ffer t

o se

ll.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v. H

olde

r, 38

1 Fe

d. A

pp’x

413

(5th

Cir.

201

0) a

nd

case

s ci

ted

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th

Cir.

200

7).

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

CS

in o

r ne

ar s

choo

l gr

ound

s

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

220.

44

Is p

roba

bly

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

pre

serv

e po

ssib

le a

rgum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, if

at a

ll po

s-si

ble

plea

d in

stea

d to

sub

sect

ion

(2) t

hrou

gh (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

06).

5. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

ly

poss

essi

ng a

hy

pode

rmic

in

stru

men

t

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

220.

45

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.Is

pro

babl

y C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

If d

efen

dant

is a

lso

char

ged

with

Crim

inal

Inje

ctio

n of

a N

arco

tic

Dru

g (P

L 22

0.46

, bel

ow) o

r ano

ther

elig

ible

felo

ny, t

o av

oid

CS

O if

pos

-si

ble

nego

tiate

div

ersi

on w

ithou

t gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).

If th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e, tr

y to

neg

otia

te d

iver

sion

with

out g

uilty

ple

a un

der

resi

dual

pro

visi

on, 2

16.0

5(11

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n, 3

rd D

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 20

5.55

); or

pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

lter-

nativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-

100.

13) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue n

ot a

CS

O b

ecau

se c

onvi

ctio

n do

es n

ot re

quire

that

pos

-se

ssio

n of

hyp

oder

mic

rela

te to

use

of f

eder

ally

sch

edul

ed c

ontro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

and

/or t

hat g

over

nmen

t has

not

sh

own

that

pos

sess

ion

rela

ted

to s

uch

a su

bsta

nce.

But

see

Mat

ter o

f E

spin

oza,

25

I&N

Dec

. 118

(BIA

200

9) (r

ejec

ting

this

arg

umen

t in

con-

text

of i

nadm

issi

bilit

y fin

ding

).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

in

ject

ion

of a

na

rcot

ic d

rug

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

220.

46

If th

is is

a fi

rst o

ffens

e,

it is

pro

babl

y N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

unl

ess

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) es

tabl

ishe

s po

sses

sion

of

any

am

ount

of

fluni

traze

pam

, in

whi

ch

case

pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF,

or

unle

ss o

ffens

e co

nduc

t pr

edat

es 8

/3/2

010

and

invo

lves

mor

e th

an

5g o

f cra

ck, i

n w

hich

ca

se m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing

crim

e” A

F.

If th

is is

a s

econ

d or

su

bseq

uent

offe

nse,

if

RO

C e

stab

lishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02

cont

ains

exp

licit

findi

ng

of p

rior d

rug

conv

ictio

n th

at w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G

, § 1

.b).

May

be.

Is C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); o

r pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al

Sol

icita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 10

0.00

-100

.13)

or C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

Arg

ue th

at s

econ

d or

sub

sequ

ent o

ffens

e is

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

pros

ecut

ion

did

not m

eani

ngfu

lly c

orre

spon

d to

fed-

eral

reci

divi

st p

rose

cutio

n un

der 2

1 U

SC

844

(a),

851.

See

Car

achu

ri-R

osen

do v

. Hol

der,

130

S. C

t. 25

77 (2

010)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

sal

e of

a c

ontro

lled

subs

tanc

e to

a

child

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

220.

48Is

pro

babl

y “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

defi

ned

in

21 U

SC

802

.

Pro

babl

y.Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

. P

roba

bly

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

avo

id th

is

drug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es d

escr

ibed

in

Tip

3 be

low

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

con

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oid-

ed, t

o pr

eser

ve p

ossi

ble

argu

men

t aga

inst

AF

or C

IMT,

if a

t all

poss

ible

pl

ead

inst

ead

to s

ubse

ctio

n (2

) thr

ough

(8) o

f CP

CS

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

ab

ove,

PL

220.

06),

to s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) thr

ough

(12)

or (

14) t

o (1

5) o

f C

PC

S 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

09),

or to

sub

sect

ions

(8) t

hrou

gh

(13)

of C

PC

S, 3

rd d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

220.

16).

5. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If

poss

ible

, als

o ke

ep re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n co

nsis

tent

with

offe

r to

sell.

S

ee, e

.g.,

Dav

ila v

. Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

ca

ses

cite

d th

erei

n; c

f. S

ando

val-L

ua v

. Gon

zale

s, 4

99 F

.3d

1121

(9th

C

ir. 2

007)

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O o

r AF

if go

vern

men

t fai

led

to p

rove

that

the

con-

trolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

is o

ne d

efine

d in

21

US

C 8

02.

2. A

rgue

NO

T “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF

beca

use

defin

ition

of “

sell”

un

der P

L 22

0.00

(1) i

nclu

des

offe

rs to

giv

e dr

ugs

to a

noth

er, w

hich

is n

ot

a fe

lony

und

er th

e fe

dera

l Con

trolle

d S

ubst

ance

s A

ct.

See

, e.g

., D

avila

v.

Hol

der,

381

Fed.

App

’x 4

13 (5

th C

ir. 2

010)

and

cas

es c

ited

ther

ein;

cf.

San

dova

l-Lua

v. G

onza

les,

499

F.3

d 11

21 (9

th C

ir. 2

007)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

ly

usin

g dr

ug

para

pher

nalia

, 2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

220.

50

Mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

May

be.

Pro

babl

y is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20),

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee

belo

w, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n, 3

rd D

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, P

L 20

5.55

); or

pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3)

or C

rimin

al F

acili

tatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8) o

r if t

his

is n

ot

poss

ible

, Crim

inal

ly P

osse

ssin

g a

Hyp

oder

mic

Inst

rum

ent (

see

abov

e,

PL

220.

45).

2. If

non

e of

the

stra

tegi

es in

Tip

1 a

bove

is p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

CS

, 7th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.03

).C

rimin

ally

us

ing

drug

pa

raph

erna

lia,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

220.

55

Pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

M

aybe

. P

roba

bly

is C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

and

CIM

T, if

pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

if a

t all

poss

ible

, avo

id

this

felo

ny d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

C

PC

S, 7

th d

egre

e, o

r sub

sect

ions

(2) –

(8) o

f CP

CS

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

ab

ove,

PL

220.

03 &

220

.06)

or o

ffens

es d

escr

ibed

in T

ip 3

bel

ow.

3. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); o

r pos

sibl

y to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

prec

urso

rs o

f C

S

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

220.

60

Pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

M

aybe

. P

roba

bly

is C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

or C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

tiate

di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of “

drug

traf

ficki

ng” A

F, if

at a

ll po

ssib

le, a

void

this

dr

ug o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

PC

S, 7

th

degr

ee, o

r sub

sect

ions

(2) –

(8) o

f CP

CS

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.03

& 2

20.0

6) o

r offe

nses

des

crib

ed in

Tip

3 b

elow

.3.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

-205

.65)

; or p

ossi

bly

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

ab

ove,

PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

met

ham

-ph

etam

ine

man

ufac

turin

g m

ater

ial,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

220.

70If

RO

C s

how

s po

sses

sion

of a

ny

“pre

curs

or,”

or if

RO

C

show

s th

at p

artic

ular

“c

hem

ical

reag

ent”

or

“sol

vent

” pos

sess

ed

is a

“lis

ted

chem

ical

” as

defi

ned

at 2

1 U

SC

802

(35)

and

21

CFR

131

0.2(

b), i

s “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

Pos

sess

ion

of o

ther

su

bsta

nces

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

May

be.

Pro

babl

y is

CS

O.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O o

r AF

risks

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

rose

cutio

n, 3

rd D

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 20

5.55

).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

met

ham

-ph

etam

ine

man

ufac

turin

g m

ater

ial,

1st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

220.

71If

RO

C s

how

s po

sses

sion

of a

ny

“pre

curs

or,”

or if

RO

C

show

s th

at p

artic

ular

“c

hem

ical

reag

ent”

or

“sol

vent

” pos

sess

ed

is a

“lis

ted

chem

ical

” as

defi

ned

at 2

1 U

SC

802

(35)

and

21

CFR

131

0.2(

b), i

s “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

Pos

sess

ion

of o

ther

su

bsta

nces

is p

roba

bly

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

May

be.

Pro

babl

y is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O o

r AF

risks

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

ros-

ecut

ion,

3rd

Deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

).2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

CS

O o

r AF

risks

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

ti-at

e di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).3.

If T

ips

1 an

d 2

are

not p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

avo

id th

is d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

CS

, 7th

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.03

) if p

ossi

ble.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

prec

urso

rs o

f m

etha

mph

et-

amin

e, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

220.

72Is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

May

be.

Pro

babl

y is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O o

r AF

risks

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), or

Hin

derin

g P

ros-

ecut

ion,

3rd

Deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 20

5.55

).2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

CS

O o

r AF

risks

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

ti-at

e di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).3.

If T

ips

1 an

d 2

are

not p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g”

AF,

avo

id th

is d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

CS

, 7th

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

0.03

) if p

ossi

ble.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Unl

awfu

l m

anuf

actu

re o

f m

etha

mph

et-

amin

e,3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

220.

73S

ubse

ctio

n (3

) is

”dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F. S

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) an

d (2

) are

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if R

OC

sh

ows

poss

essi

on

of “p

recu

rsor

” or i

f R

OC

sho

ws

that

any

re

agen

t(s) a

nd/o

r so

lven

t(s) p

osse

ssed

ar

e “li

sted

che

mic

al”

as d

efine

d at

21

US

C

802(

35) a

nd 2

1 C

FR

1310

.2(b

); p

osse

ssio

n of

any

oth

er p

rosc

ribed

su

bsta

nce

unde

r su

bsec

tions

(1) a

nd

(2) m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

May

be.

Is C

SO

.Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d C

SO

or A

F ris

ks, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te d

iver

sion

with

out a

gu

ilty

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F, a

void

th

is fe

lony

dru

g of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of

CP

CS

, 7th

deg

ree,

or s

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) – (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 22

0.03

& 2

20.0

6) if

pos

sibl

e.

Unl

awfu

l m

anuf

actu

re o

f m

etha

mph

et-

amin

e,2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

220.

74Is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F if

offe

nse

cond

uct

qual

ifies

as

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

U

nlaw

ful m

anuf

actu

re

of m

etha

mph

etam

ine,

3d

deg

ree

(PL

220.

73),

abov

e).

May

be.

Is C

SO

.Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d C

SO

or A

F ris

ks, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te d

iver

sion

with

out a

gu

ilty

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F, a

void

th

is fe

lony

dru

g of

fens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of

CP

CS

, 7th

deg

ree,

or s

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) – (8

) of C

PC

S, 5

th d

egre

e (s

ee

abov

e, P

L 22

0.03

& 2

20.0

6) if

pos

sibl

e.

Unl

awfu

l m

anuf

actu

re o

f m

etha

mph

et-

amin

e,1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

220.

75Is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F if

offe

nse

cond

uct

qual

ifies

as

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

U

nlaw

ful m

anuf

actu

re

of m

etha

mph

etam

ine,

3d

deg

ree

(PL

220.

73),

abov

e).

May

be.

Is C

SO

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Unl

awfu

l di

spos

al o

f m

etha

mph

et-

amin

e la

bora

-to

ry m

ater

ial

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

220.

76P

roba

bly

NO

TM

aybe

.Is

CS

O.

Ope

ratin

g as

a

maj

or tr

affic

ker

220.

77Is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

Pro

babl

y.Is

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.U

nlaw

ful

poss

essi

on o

f m

arih

uana

Viol

atio

n

221.

05

NO

if th

is is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse.

If t

his

is a

se

cond

or s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e an

d th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

con

tain

s ex

plic

it fin

ding

of p

rior

drug

con

vict

ion

that

w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G

, § 1

.b).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O fo

r ina

dmis

sibi

lity

purp

oses

; how

ever

, for

de

porta

bilit

y pu

rpos

es,

is C

SO

onl

y if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

poss

essi

on o

f mor

e th

an

30 g

ram

s of

mar

ihua

na,

or if

def

enda

nt a

lread

y st

ands

con

vict

ed o

f or

will

be

conv

icte

d of

ad

ditio

nal o

ffens

e in

volv

ing

poss

essi

on o

f 30

gram

s or

le

ss o

f mar

ihua

na.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

alto

geth

er, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

-fe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20) o

r Tre

spas

s (S

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, e

stab

lish

in p

lea

col-

loqu

y th

at a

mou

nt o

f mar

ijuan

a in

volv

ed is

less

than

30

gram

s.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded

and

defe

ndan

t has

a

prio

r con

vict

ion

for p

osse

ssio

n of

a c

ontro

lled

subs

tanc

e, to

avo

id ri

sk o

f “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F ke

ep re

cord

cle

ar o

f find

ing

of p

rior c

onvi

ctio

n.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

mar

ihua

na

(CP

M),

5th

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

221.

10

NO

if th

is is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse.

If t

his

is a

se

cond

or s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e an

d th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

con

tain

s ex

plic

it fin

ding

of p

rior

drug

con

vict

ion

that

w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G

, § 1

.b).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O fo

r ina

dmis

sibi

lity

purp

oses

; how

ever

, for

de

porta

bilit

y pu

rpos

es,

is C

SO

onl

y if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

poss

essi

on o

f mor

e th

an

30 g

ram

s of

mar

ihua

na,

or if

def

enda

nt a

lread

y st

ands

con

vict

ed o

f or

will

be

conv

icte

d of

ad

ditio

nal o

ffens

e in

volv

ing

poss

essi

on o

f 30

gram

s or

le

ss o

f mar

ihua

na.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

alto

geth

er, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

-fe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20),

Tres

pass

(s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05),

or C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

).2.

If p

lead

ing

to a

mar

ijuan

a of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

dep

orta

bilit

y co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e pl

ea to

UP

M (s

ee a

bove

, P

L 22

1.05

) and

est

ablis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at a

mou

nt o

f mar

ijuan

a in

volv

ed is

less

than

30

gram

s.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of

CS

O d

epor

tabi

lity

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at a

mou

nt o

f mar

ijuan

a in

volv

ed is

less

than

30

gram

s.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

M, 4

th

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

221.

15

NO

if th

is is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse.

If t

his

is a

se

cond

or s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e an

d th

e re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (“

RO

C”)

con

tain

s ex

plic

it fin

ding

of p

rior

drug

con

vict

ion

that

w

as fi

nal a

t tim

e of

co

mm

issi

on o

f ins

tant

of

fens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

(see

App

. G

, § 1

.b).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

alto

geth

er, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

-fe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20),

Tres

pass

(s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05),

or C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

).2.

If p

lead

ing

to a

mar

ijuan

a of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of C

SO

dep

orta

bilit

y co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e pl

ea to

UP

M o

r to

CP

M,

5th

degr

ee (s

ee a

bove

, PL

221.

05 &

221

.10)

, and

in e

ither

cas

e es

tab-

lish

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

am

ount

of m

ariju

ana

invo

lved

is le

ss th

an 3

0 gr

ams.

CP

M, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

221.

20N

O if

this

is a

firs

t dru

g of

fens

e. I

f thi

s is

a

seco

nd o

r sub

sequ

ent

drug

offe

nse

and

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

(“R

OC

”) c

onta

ins

expl

icit

findi

ng o

f prio

r dr

ug c

onvi

ctio

n th

at

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

)

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF

or C

SO

, avo

id th

is d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s H

inde

r-in

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.

CP

M, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

221.

25N

O if

this

is a

firs

t dru

g of

fens

e. I

f thi

s is

a

seco

nd o

r sub

sequ

ent

drug

offe

nse

and

the

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

(“R

OC

”) c

onta

ins

expl

icit

findi

ng o

f prio

r dr

ug c

onvi

ctio

n th

at

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF

or C

SO

, avo

id th

is d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

r-in

g P

rose

cutio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CP

M, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

221.

30N

O if

this

is a

firs

t dr

ug o

ffens

e. I

f thi

s is

a s

ubse

quen

t dr

ug o

ffens

e an

d th

e go

vern

men

t est

ablis

hes

a pr

ior d

rug

conv

ictio

n,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

).

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Is

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF,

avo

id th

is d

rug

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as H

inde

ring

Pro

secu

-tio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

205.

55-2

05.6

5); C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fac

ilita

tion

(see

abo

ve, P

L 11

5.00

-115

.08)

.

CS

M, 5

th

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

221.

35

If th

is is

a fi

rst d

rug

offe

nse,

NO

T a

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

in

Sec

ond

or T

hird

circ

uits

an

d pr

obab

ly N

OT

in

othe

r jur

isdi

ctio

ns. I

f th

is is

a s

econ

d or

su

bseq

uent

dru

g of

fens

e th

e re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n (“

RO

C”)

co

ntai

ns e

xplic

it fin

ding

of

prio

r dru

g co

nvic

tion

that

was

fina

l at t

ime

of

com

mis

sion

of i

nsta

nt

offe

nse,

mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

).

May

be.

Is C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O a

ltoge

ther

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

obt

aini

ng a

n ad

jour

nmen

t in

cont

empl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

of-

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), Tr

espa

ss

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

), or

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

45).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

a m

ariju

ana

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O d

epor

tabi

lity

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of U

PM

or t

o C

PM

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.05

& 2

21.1

0), a

nd in

eith

er c

ase

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at a

mou

nt o

f mar

ijuan

a in

volv

ed is

less

than

30

gra

ms.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

base

d on

Mar

tinez

v. M

ukas

ey,

551

F.3d

113

(2d

Cir.

200

8); T

hom

as v

. Att’

y G

en.,

625F

.3d

134

(3d

Cir.

20

10);

Ste

ele

v. B

lack

man

, 236

F.3

d 13

0 (3

d C

ir. 2

001)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

M, 4

th

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

221.

40

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) est

ablis

hes

trans

fer f

or

rem

uner

atio

n, p

roba

bly

is “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

In S

econ

d an

d Th

ird

Circ

uits

if th

is is

a

first

dru

g of

fens

e an

d go

vern

men

t can

not

esta

blis

h tra

nsfe

r for

re

mun

erat

ion,

is N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g cr

ime”

AF;

in o

ther

ju

risdi

ctio

ns, i

f thi

s is

a

first

dru

g of

fens

e, is

pr

obab

ly N

OT

a “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” c

rime

if im

mig

rant

can

mee

t bu

rden

of e

stab

lishi

ng

that

offe

nse

did

not

invo

lve

trans

fer f

or

rem

uner

atio

n bu

t is

pro

babl

y a

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

if im

mig

rant

can

not

mee

t thi

s bu

rden

. In

an

y ju

risdi

ctio

n, if

this

is

a s

ubse

quen

t dru

g of

fens

e an

d th

e R

OC

in

clud

es a

n ex

plic

it fin

ding

of a

prio

r dru

g co

nvic

tion

that

was

fina

l at

tim

e of

com

mis

sion

of

inst

ant o

ffens

e, m

ight

be

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

even

if R

OC

doe

s no

t es

tabl

ish

trans

fer f

or

rem

uner

atio

n (s

ee A

pp.

G, §

1.b

).

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

CS

O a

ltoge

ther

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

obt

aini

ng a

n ad

jour

nmen

t in

cont

empl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

of-

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

), Tr

espa

ss

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

), or

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

45).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

a m

ariju

ana

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O d

epor

tabi

lity

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of U

PM

or t

o C

PM

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.05

& 2

21.1

0), a

nd in

eith

er c

ase

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at a

mou

nt o

f mar

ijuan

a in

volv

ed is

less

than

30

gra

ms.

3. If

Tip

s 1

and

2 ar

e no

t pos

sibl

e, to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

A

F co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

M, 5

th o

r 4th

deg

rees

(see

abo

ve,

PL

221.

10 &

221

.15)

, or C

SM

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.35

).4.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

leav

e ou

t of r

ecor

d of

co

nvic

tion

any

evid

ence

that

the

trans

fer o

f mar

ijuan

a w

as e

ffect

ed fo

r re

mun

erat

ion.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

base

d on

Mar

tinez

v. M

ukas

ey,

551

F.3d

113

(2d

Cir.

200

8); T

hom

as v

. Att’

y G

en.,

625

F.3d

134

(3d

Cir.

20

10);

Ste

ele

v. B

lack

man

, 236

F.3

d 13

0 (3

d C

ir. 2

001)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

M, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

221.

45

Pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

P

roba

bly.

IS

CS

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F or

CS

O, i

f pos

sibl

e ne

gotia

te

dive

rsio

n w

ithou

t a g

uilty

ple

a pu

rsua

nt to

CP

L 21

6.05

(4).

2. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

SO

alto

geth

er, i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

-fe

nses

suc

h as

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

45).

3. If

ple

adin

g to

a m

ariju

ana

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

CS

O d

epor

tabi

lity

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of C

PM

, 5th

de

gree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.10

), an

d in

eith

er c

ase

esta

blis

h in

ple

a co

l-lo

quy

that

am

ount

of m

ariju

ana

invo

lved

is le

ss th

an 3

0 gr

ams.

4. If

Tip

s 1

and

2 ar

e no

t pos

sibl

e, to

dec

reas

e ris

k of

“dru

g tra

ffick

-in

g” A

F av

oid

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

C

SM

, 5th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.35

).5.

If T

ip 3

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F av

oid

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er a

nd c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

M, 4

th

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.15

), or

CS

M, 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

221.

40)

and

leav

e ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

any

evid

ence

that

the

trans

fer o

f m

ariju

ana

was

effe

cted

for r

emun

erat

ion.

6. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

mar

ijuan

a of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to p

re-

serv

e po

ssib

le a

rgum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, p

lead

inst

ead

to C

PM

, 3rd

de

gree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.20

).C

SM

, 2nd

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

221.

50

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (R

OC

) est

ablis

hes

sale

to m

inor

, is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF;

ot

herw

ise

is p

roba

bly

is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

Pro

babl

y.

Is C

SO

. Whe

re R

OC

es

tabl

ishe

s sa

le to

min

or,

mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1.To

avo

id ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF

or C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

tiate

di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of C

SO

if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fa

cilit

atio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

3. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF

avoi

d th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

an

d co

nsid

er a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CP

M, 4

th (s

ee a

bove

, PL

221.

15),

or C

SM

, 4th

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.40

) and

leav

e ou

t of r

ecor

d of

co

nvic

tion

any

evid

ence

that

the

trans

fer o

f mar

ijuan

a w

as e

ffect

ed fo

r re

mun

erat

ion.

4.

If p

lead

ing

to a

felo

ny m

ariju

ana

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

pre

-se

rve

argu

men

t aga

inst

AF

or C

IMT,

ple

ad in

stea

d to

CP

M, 3

rd o

r 2nd

de

gree

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

221.

20 &

221

.25)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

CS

M, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

221.

55

Pro

babl

y is

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF.

P

roba

bly.

C

SO

. Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

or C

SO

, if p

ossi

ble

nego

tiate

di

vers

ion

with

out a

gui

lty p

lea

purs

uant

to C

PL

216.

05(4

).2.

To

decr

ease

risk

of C

SO

if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

su

ch a

s C

rimin

al S

olic

itatio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

100.

00-1

00.1

3) o

r Crim

inal

Fa

cilit

atio

n (s

ee a

bove

, PL

115.

00-1

15.0

8).

3. T

o de

crea

se ri

sk o

f “dr

ug tr

affic

king

” AF

avoi

d th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

an

d, if

at a

ll po

ssib

le, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

CS

M, 4

th d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

221.

40) a

nd le

ave

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n an

y ev

i-de

nce

that

the

trans

fer o

f mar

ijuan

a w

as e

ffect

ed fo

r rem

uner

atio

n.

4. If

ple

adin

g to

a fe

lony

mar

ijuan

a of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to

pres

erve

pos

sibl

e ar

gum

ent a

gain

st A

F or

CIM

T, p

lead

inst

ead

to C

PM

, 3r

d, 2

nd o

r 1st

deg

rees

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

1.20

, 221

.25

& 2

21.3

0).

Pro

mot

ing

gam

blin

g, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

225.

05M

ight

be

“gam

blin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5.

No.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “c

omm

erci

aliz

ed v

ice”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

ple

adin

g to

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to a

void

AF

risk,

pl

ead

to a

ttem

pt (B

mis

d.).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to re

duce

AF

risk,

kee

p re

cord

cle

ar o

f fac

ts s

atis

fyin

g el

emen

ts o

f 18

US

C 1

955.

3. T

his

offe

nse

mig

ht tr

igge

r bar

to g

ood

mor

al c

hara

cter

(GM

C)

requ

irem

ent f

or c

itize

nshi

p fo

r “on

e w

hose

inco

me

is d

eriv

ed p

rin-

cipa

lly fr

om il

lega

l gam

blin

g ac

tiviti

es.”

Sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t Art.

22

5 of

fens

e w

ould

pro

babl

y tri

gger

the

sepa

rate

GM

C b

ar fo

r per

sons

co

nvic

ted

of tw

o or

mor

e ga

mbl

ing

offe

nses

if b

oth

offe

nses

wer

e co

m-

mitt

ed d

urin

g th

e re

leva

nt G

MC

per

iod.

To

avoi

d G

MC

and

adm

issi

bilit

y ba

rs, (

a) m

ake

a re

cord

that

clie

nt’s

inco

me

not p

rinci

pally

der

ived

from

ga

mbl

ing

and

that

clie

nt d

id n

ot c

ome

to U

.S. f

or p

urpo

se o

f eng

agin

g in

com

mer

cial

ized

vic

e; a

nd (b

) kee

p re

cord

cle

ar o

f ind

icat

ion

whe

ther

cl

ient

“pro

fit[e

d] fr

om” o

r “ad

vanc

[ed]

” act

ivity

.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue th

at o

ffens

e is

not

“des

crib

ed in

” 18

US

C 1

955

and

is th

ere-

fore

not

AF

beca

use

NY

stat

ute

lack

s su

bsta

ntiv

e (n

on-ju

risdi

ctio

nal)

elem

ents

con

tain

ed in

fede

ral s

tatu

te.

2. W

here

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

does

not

spe

cify

whe

ther

offe

nse

invo

lved

“pro

fit” o

r “ad

vanc

[ing]

”, ar

gue

that

offe

nse

is n

ot “g

ambl

ing

offe

nse”

for p

urpo

ses

of G

MC

and

doe

s no

t sho

w in

com

e de

rived

from

ga

mbl

ing

beca

use

it pu

nish

es m

erel

y “a

dvan

c[in

g]” g

ambl

ing

activ

ity

(see

PL

225.

00(4

)).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Pro

mot

ing

gam

blin

g, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

225.

10M

ight

be

“gam

blin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5.

No.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “c

omm

erci

aliz

ed v

ice”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

ple

adin

g to

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to a

void

AF

risk,

pl

ead

to a

ttem

pted

Pro

mot

ing

Gam

blin

g, 2

nd d

egre

e) (s

ee a

bove

, PL

225.

05).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

felo

ny g

ambl

ing

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

avo

id

risk

of A

F, k

eep

reco

rd c

lear

of f

acts

sat

isfy

ing

elem

ents

of 1

8 U

SC

19

55.

3. T

his

offe

nse

mig

ht tr

igge

r bar

to g

ood

mor

al c

hara

cter

(GM

C)

requ

irem

ent f

or c

itize

nshi

p fo

r “on

e w

hose

inco

me

is d

eriv

ed p

rinci

pally

fro

m il

lega

l gam

blin

g ac

tiviti

es.”

Sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t Art.

225

offe

nse

wou

ld p

roba

bly

trigg

er th

e se

para

te G

MC

bar

for p

erso

ns c

onvi

cted

of

two

or m

ore

gam

blin

g of

fens

es if

bot

h of

fens

es w

ere

com

mitt

ed d

urin

g th

e re

leva

nt G

MC

per

iod.

To

avoi

d G

MC

and

adm

issi

bilit

y ba

rs, m

ake

a re

cord

that

clie

nt’s

inco

me

not p

rinci

pally

der

ived

from

gam

blin

g an

d th

at c

lient

did

not

com

e to

U.S

. for

pur

pose

of e

ngag

ing

in c

omm

erci

al-

ized

vic

e.Ti

ps fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs:

1. A

rgue

that

offe

nse

is n

ot “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5 an

d is

ther

e-fo

re n

ot A

F be

caus

e N

Y st

atut

e la

cks

subs

tant

ive

(non

-juris

dict

iona

l) el

emen

ts c

onta

ined

in fe

dera

l sta

tute

.2.

Arg

ue th

at o

ffens

e is

not

GM

C b

ar u

nder

“inc

ome

deriv

ed” p

rovi

sion

b/

c it

does

not

requ

ire p

rofit

for c

onvi

ctio

n.P

osse

ssio

n of

gam

blin

g re

cord

s, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

225.

15P

roba

bly

NO

T, u

nles

s M

ight

be

“gam

blin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5.

No.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “c

omm

erci

aliz

ed v

ice”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1 If

plea

ding

to g

ambl

ing

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

avo

id ri

sk o

f A

F, p

lead

to a

ttem

pt (B

mis

d.).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to re

duce

risk

of

AF,

kee

p re

cord

cle

ar o

f fac

ts s

atis

fyin

g el

emen

ts o

f 18

US

C 1

955.

3. T

his

offe

nse

mig

ht tr

igge

r bar

to g

ood

mor

al c

hara

cter

(GM

C)

requ

irem

ent f

or c

itize

nshi

p fo

r “on

e w

hose

inco

me

is d

eriv

ed p

rinci

pally

fro

m il

lega

l gam

blin

g ac

tiviti

es.”

Sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t Art.

225

offe

nse

wou

ld p

roba

bly

trigg

er th

e se

para

te G

MC

bar

for p

erso

ns c

onvi

cted

of

two

or m

ore

gam

blin

g of

fens

es if

bot

h of

fens

es w

ere

com

mitt

ed d

urin

g th

e re

leva

nt G

MC

per

iod.

To

avoi

d G

MC

and

adm

issi

bilit

y ba

rs, m

ake

a re

cord

that

clie

nt’s

inco

me

not p

rinci

pally

der

ived

from

gam

blin

g an

d th

at c

lient

did

not

com

e to

U.S

. for

pur

pose

of e

ngag

ing

in c

omm

erci

al-

ized

vic

e.Ti

ps fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs:

1. A

rgue

that

offe

nse

is n

ot “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5 an

d is

ther

e-fo

re n

ot A

F be

caus

e N

Y st

atut

e la

cks

subs

tant

ive

(non

-juris

dict

iona

l) el

emen

ts c

onta

ined

in fe

dera

l sta

tute

.2.

Arg

ue th

at o

ffens

e is

not

GM

C b

ar u

nder

“inc

ome

deriv

ed” p

rovi

sion

b/

c it

does

not

requ

ire p

rofit

for c

onvi

ctio

n



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Pos

sess

ion

of g

ambl

ing

reco

rds,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

225.

20M

ight

be

“gam

blin

g” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

195

5.

No.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “c

omm

erci

aliz

ed v

ice”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. If

ple

adin

g to

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to a

void

risk

of

AF,

ple

ad to

atte

mpt

ed

Pos

sess

ion

of g

ambl

ing

reco

rds,

2nd

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 22

5.15

).2.

If p

lead

ing

to fe

lony

gam

blin

g of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to re

duce

ris

k of

AF,

kee

p re

cord

cle

ar o

f fac

ts s

atis

fyin

g el

emen

ts o

f 18

US

C

1955

(b).

3. T

his

offe

nse

mig

ht tr

igge

r bar

to g

ood

mor

al c

hara

cter

(GM

C)

requ

irem

ent f

or c

itize

nshi

p fo

r “on

e w

hose

inco

me

is d

eriv

ed p

rinci

pally

fro

m il

lega

l gam

blin

g ac

tiviti

es.”

Sec

ond

or s

ubse

quen

t Art.

225

offe

nse

wou

ld p

roba

bly

trigg

er th

e se

para

te G

MC

bar

for p

erso

ns c

onvi

cted

of

two

or m

ore

gam

blin

g of

fens

es if

bot

h of

fens

es w

ere

com

mitt

ed d

urin

g th

e re

leva

nt G

MC

per

iod.

To

avoi

d G

MC

and

adm

issi

bilit

y ba

rs, m

ake

a re

cord

that

clie

nt’s

inco

me

not p

rinci

pally

der

ived

from

gam

blin

g an

d th

at c

lient

did

not

com

e to

U.S

. for

pur

pose

of e

ngag

ing

in c

omm

erci

al-

ized

vic

e

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue th

at o

ffens

e is

not

“des

crib

ed in

” 18

US

C 1

955

and

is th

ere-

fore

not

AF

beca

use

NY

stat

ute

lack

s su

bsta

ntiv

e (n

on-ju

risdi

ctio

nal)

elem

ents

con

tain

ed in

fede

ral s

tatu

te.

2. A

rgue

that

offe

nse

is n

ot G

MC

bar

und

er “i

ncom

e de

rived

” pro

visi

on

b/c

it do

es n

ot re

quire

pro

fit fo

r con

vict

ion.

Pro

stitu

tion

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

230.

00

No.

Ye

s.

Pro

babl

y tri

gger

s “p

rost

itutio

n”

Inad

mis

sibi

lity.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“pro

stitu

tion”

inad

mis

sibi

lity

risk

(and

, if c

lient

has

prio

r C

IMT,

to a

void

CIM

T de

porta

bilit

y or

inad

mis

sibi

lity)

, if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

ob

tain

ing

an a

djou

rnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or

Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05).

2. If

Tip

1 is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

avo

id “p

rost

itutio

n” in

adm

issi

bilit

y ris

k,

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

45).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

The

BIA

has

hel

d th

at to

“eng

age

in” p

rost

itutio

n, o

ne m

ust h

ave

enga

ged

in a

regu

lar p

atte

rn o

f beh

avio

r or c

ondu

ct. S

ee M

atte

r of T

, 6

I&N

Dec

.474

(BIA

195

5) (h

oldi

ng th

at th

e no

nciti

zen

who

was

twic

e co

nvic

ted

for c

omm

ittin

g ac

ts o

f pro

stitu

tion

was

not

exc

luda

ble)

; Mat

ter

of R

, 2 I&

N D

ec. 5

0 (B

IA 1

944)

(sin

gle

act f

or g

ain

unde

r circ

umst

ance

s sh

owin

g pr

ostit

utio

n).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

[Pat

roni

zing

a

pros

titut

e, 4

th

degr

ee]

[repe

aled

eff.

11

/1/2

007]

[Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor]

230.

03

Pro

babl

y N

OT,

but

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

per

son

patro

nize

d w

as a

min

or

mig

ht b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n sh

ows

that

per

son

patro

nize

d w

as m

inor

, mig

ht

be C

AC

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at c

onvi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F,

even

if th

e pe

rson

pat

roni

zed

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of

the

pers

on p

atro

nize

d is

not

an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e. I

J m

ay n

ot lo

ok

to th

e un

derly

ing

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

to h

old

to th

e co

ntra

ry. S

ee, e

.g.,

Sin

gh v

. Ash

crof

t, 38

3 F.

3d 1

44 (3

rd C

ir. 2

004)

; cf.

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(not

ing

that

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or”

AF

grou

nd re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic

inqu

iry).

Pat

roni

zing

a

pros

titut

e, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

230.

04

Pro

babl

y N

OT,

but

if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

that

per

son

patro

nize

d w

as a

min

or

mig

ht b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at p

erso

n pa

troni

zed

was

min

or, m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T de

porta

bilit

y or

inad

mis

sibi

lity

risk

if cl

ient

has

prio

r or

futu

re C

IMT,

con

side

r obt

aini

ng a

n ad

jour

nmen

t in

cont

empl

atio

n of

di

smis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.20

) or T

resp

ass

(See

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

Tip

1 a

bove

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

pros

titut

e m

ight

be

min

or, t

o de

crea

se “s

ex a

buse

of m

inor

” AF

and

CA

C ri

sks

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

45) a

nd k

eep

out

of re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n re

fere

nce

to th

e ag

e of

vic

tim.

3. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d an

d pr

ostit

ute

mig

ht b

e m

inor

, to

decr

ease

risk

of “

sex

abus

e of

min

or” A

F an

d C

AC

, try

to k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n re

fere

nce

to th

e ag

e of

the

pros

titut

e.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at c

onvi

ctio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly N

OT

“sex

abu

se o

f min

or” A

F,

even

if th

e pe

rson

pat

roni

zed

in fa

ct w

as m

inor

, bec

ause

the

min

ority

of

the

pers

on p

atro

nize

d is

not

an

elem

ent o

f the

crim

e. I

J m

ay n

ot lo

ok

to th

e un

derly

ing

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

to h

old

to th

e co

ntra

ry. S

ee, e

.g.,

Sin

gh v

. Ash

crof

t, 38

3 F.

3d 1

44 (3

rd C

ir. 2

004)

; cf.

Nijh

awan

v. H

olde

r, 12

9 S

. Ct.

2294

, 230

0 (2

009)

(not

ing

that

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or”

AF

grou

nd re

quire

s ca

tego

rical

as

oppo

sed

to c

ircum

stan

ce-s

peci

fic

inqu

iry).

Pat

roni

zing

a

pros

titut

e, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

230.

05

Mig

ht b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Mig

ht b

e C

AC

.Ti

ps fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d ris

k of

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

min

or” A

F or

CIM

T, if

pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow,

PL

240.

20) o

r Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05).

2. If

Tip

1 a

bove

is n

ot p

ossi

ble

and

pers

on p

atro

nize

d m

ight

be

min

or,

to d

ecre

ase

risk

of “s

ex a

buse

of m

inor

” AF

and

CA

C c

onsi

der a

lter-

nativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

), or

P

atro

nizi

ng a

Pro

stitu

te, 3

d de

gree

(see

abo

ve, 2

30.0

4), a

nd in

eith

er

case

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

refe

renc

e to

the

age

of p

erso

n pa

troni

zed.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Pat

roni

zing

a

pros

titut

e, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

230.

06

Mig

ht b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Pro

mot

ing

pros

titut

ion,

4t

h de

gree

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

230.

20

Mig

ht b

e “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss” A

F. If

re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at

pros

titut

ion

prom

oted

w

as o

f a m

inor

, mig

ht

also

be

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF.

Pro

babl

y.M

ight

trig

ger “

pros

titut

ion”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y. If

pro

stitu

te

is m

inor

, mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF

or “p

rost

itutio

n” in

adm

issi

bilit

y ris

ks, c

onsi

der o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

bel

ow,

PL

240.

20),

Tres

pass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

) or C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

be

low

, PL

240.

45) i

f pos

sibl

e.2.

If T

ip 1

abo

ve is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

dec

reas

e “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss” A

F ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Per

mitt

ing

Pro

stitu

tion

(see

bel

ow,

PL

230.

40) o

r Pat

roni

zing

a P

rost

itute

, 4th

(see

abo

ve, P

L 23

0.03

and

ac

cess

ory

liabi

lity

unde

r PL

20.0

0)) a

nd, i

f pro

stitu

te m

ight

be

min

or,

leav

e ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

refe

renc

e to

the

age

of th

e pr

ostit

ute.

3. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e sp

ecify

in

plea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

ow

n, c

ontro

l, m

anag

e or

sup

ervi

se

pros

titut

ion

busi

ness

, or a

t min

imum

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d ad

mis

sion

or

evid

ence

of e

xact

nat

ure

of a

dvan

cem

ent o

r pro

fit fr

om p

rost

itutio

n (s

ee

PL

230.

15).

In a

ll ca

ses,

if p

ossi

ble

keep

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

refe

renc

e to

the

age

of th

e pr

ostit

ute.

Pro

mot

ing

pros

titut

ion,

3r

d de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

230.

25

Sub

sect

ion

(1) i

s pr

obab

ly is

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF,

S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) mig

ht b

e “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss”

AF.

If r

ecor

d of

co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

pro

stitu

tion

prom

oted

was

of a

m

inor

, eith

er s

ubse

ctio

n m

ight

als

o be

“sex

ual

abus

e of

a m

inor

” AF.

Pro

babl

y.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “pr

ostit

utio

n”

inad

mis

sibi

lity.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) m

ight

be

CA

C if

reco

rd

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at p

rost

itutio

n pr

omot

ed

was

of a

min

or.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF

or “p

rost

itutio

n” in

adm

issi

bilit

y ris

ks, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

(see

be-

low

, PL

240.

20),

Tres

pass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 14

0.05

) or C

rimin

al N

uisa

nce

(see

bel

ow, P

L 24

0.45

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. If

Tip

1 a

bove

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to d

ecre

ase

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF

risk,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

of P

erm

ittin

g P

rost

itutio

n (s

ee b

elow

, P

L 23

0.40

) or P

atro

nizi

ng a

Pro

stitu

te, 3

d (s

ee a

bove

, PL

230.

04 a

nd

acce

ssor

y lia

bilit

y un

der P

L 20

.00)

) and

, if p

rost

itute

mig

ht b

e m

inor

, le

ave

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n re

fere

nce

to th

e ag

e of

the

pros

titut

e.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Pro

mot

ing

pros

titut

ion,

2n

d de

gree

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

230.

30

Sub

sect

ion

(1)

prob

ably

is “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss” A

F an

d su

bsec

tion

(2) m

ight

be

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” A

F. If

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

pro

stitu

tion

prom

oted

was

of a

m

inor

, mig

ht a

lso

be

“sex

ual a

buse

of a

m

inor

” AF.

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent i

mpo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r mor

e,

subs

ectio

n (1

) mig

ht

also

be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “pr

ostit

utio

n”

inad

mis

sibi

lity.

Sub

sect

ion

(2) m

ight

be

CA

C a

nd

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s th

at p

rost

itutio

n pr

omot

ed w

as o

f a m

inor

, su

bsec

tion

(1) m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o pr

eser

ve a

rgum

ent t

hat o

ffens

e is

not

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF,

if

poss

ible

spe

cify

in p

lea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

“”pr

ofite

d fro

m” r

athe

r th

an “a

dvan

ced

“ pro

stitu

tion

and

did

not o

wn,

con

trol,

man

age

or s

uper

-vi

se p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss, o

r at m

inim

um k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

adm

issi

on

or e

vide

nce

of e

xact

nat

ure

of a

dvan

cem

ent o

r pro

fit fr

om p

rost

itutio

n (s

ee P

L 23

0.15

).

Pro

mot

ing

pros

titut

ion,

1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

230.

32

Mig

ht b

e “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss” A

F. M

ight

al

so b

e “s

exua

l abu

se

of a

min

or” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.

Mig

ht tr

igge

r “pr

ostit

utio

n”

inad

mis

sibi

lity.

Mig

ht b

e C

AC

.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o pr

eser

ve a

rgum

ent t

hat o

ffens

e is

not

“pro

stitu

tion

busi

ness

” AF,

if

poss

ible

spe

cify

in p

lea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

“”pr

ofite

d fro

m” r

athe

r th

an “a

dvan

ced

“ pro

stitu

tion

and

did

not o

wn,

con

trol,

man

age

or s

uper

-vi

se p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss, o

r at m

inim

um k

eep

out o

f rec

ord

adm

issi

on

or e

vide

nce

of e

xact

nat

ure

of a

dvan

cem

ent o

r pro

fit fr

om p

rost

itutio

n (s

ee P

L 23

0.15

).C

ompe

lling

pr

ostit

utio

n

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

230.

33P

roba

bly

is “p

rost

itutio

n bu

sine

ss” A

F. P

roba

bly

is a

lso

“sex

ual a

buse

of

a m

inor

” AF.

If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) m

ight

als

o be

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F.

Pro

babl

y.P

roba

bly

is C

AC

. M

ight

tri

gger

“pro

stitu

tion”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Per

mitt

ing

pros

titut

ion

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

230.

40

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

M

aybe

. M

ight

trig

ger “

pros

titut

ion”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“pro

stitu

tion”

inad

mis

sibi

lity

and

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der o

btai

n-in

g an

adj

ourn

men

t in

cont

empl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rna-

tive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee b

elow

, PL

240.

20) o

r Tr

espa

ss (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

05) i

f pos

sibl

e.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Dis

orde

rly

cond

uct

Viol

atio

n

240.

20

No.

N

o.

Har

assm

ent,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss B

mis

de-

mea

nor

240.

25

No.

M

aybe

. If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

mig

ht b

e C

OD

V in

som

e ju

risdi

ctio

ns o

utsi

de 2

d C

ircui

t. M

ight

als

o tri

gger

de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

se re

gard

ing

“crim

e of

st

alki

ng.”

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

-pl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

& 1

40.0

5).

2. T

o re

duce

CO

DV

risk

, kee

p re

latio

nshi

p of

com

plai

nant

to d

efen

dant

ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(thou

gh th

is m

ay n

ot b

e ef

fect

ive

to a

void

re

mov

abili

ty).

Har

assm

ent,

2nd

degr

ee

Viol

atio

n

240.

26

No.

M

aybe

. If

the

com

plai

nant

was

a

curr

ent o

r for

mer

spo

use

or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

indi

vidu

al,

subs

ectio

n (1

) mig

ht b

e C

OD

V. S

ubse

ctio

ns (2

) an

d (3

) mig

ht tr

igge

r de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

se re

gard

ing

“crim

e of

st

alki

ng.”

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

-pl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly

Con

duct

or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

& 1

40.0

5).

2. T

o m

inim

ize

CO

DV

risk

, see

k al

tern

ate

plea

to D

isor

derly

Con

duct

or

Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

240.

20 &

140

.05)

. If

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to

redu

ce C

OD

V ri

sk k

eep

rela

tions

hip

of c

ompl

aina

nt to

def

enda

nt o

ut o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (th

ough

this

may

not

be

effe

ctiv

e to

avo

id re

mov

-ab

ility

).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

a C

OD

V b

ecau

se p

hysi

cal f

orce

nec

essa

ry to

con

stitu

te

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” u

nder

18

US

C 1

6(a)

mus

t cat

egor

ical

ly b

e vi

olen

t fo

rce

capa

ble

of c

ausi

ng p

ain

or in

jury

to a

noth

er p

erso

n, s

ee M

atte

r of

Vel

asqu

ez, 2

5 I&

N D

ec. 2

78, 2

83 (B

IA 2

010)

, and

240

.26

can

be

offe

nded

by

“pet

ty fo

rms

of o

ffens

ive

touc

hing

and

kic

king

” not

risi

ng to

th

e le

vel o

f an

assa

ult,

Peo

ple

v. B

artk

ow,

96 N

.Y.2

d 77

0, 7

72 (2

001)

; se

e, e

.g.,

Lynn

v. S

tate

, 33

A.D

.3d

673,

674

(App

. Div.

2 D

ept.,

200

6)

(che

st-b

uttin

g);

Peo

ple

v. H

are,

66

Mis

c.2d

207

, 319

N.Y

.S.2

d 89

0 (A

pp. T

erm

1st D

ept.

1971

) (pl

acin

g fin

ger o

n co

mpl

aina

nt’s

che

st).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Agg

rava

ted

hara

ssm

ent,

2nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

240.

30

No,

unl

ess

term

of

impr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r, in

whi

ch

case

sub

sect

ions

(3)

and

(4) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

May

be.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

sim

ilarly

situ

ated

in

divi

dual

, sub

sect

ions

(3)

or (4

) mig

ht b

e C

OD

V. A

co

nvic

tion

mig

ht tr

igge

r de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

ses

rega

rdin

g “c

rime

of

stal

king

” and

/or “

viol

atio

ns

of p

rote

ctiv

e or

ders

.”

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r (ge

t 364

da

ys o

r les

s).

2. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k or

CO

DV,

con

side

r obt

aini

ng a

n ad

jour

nmen

t in

con

tem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

n al

tern

ativ

e of

fens

e su

ch a

s D

isor

derly

Con

duct

or T

resp

ass

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

& 1

40.0

5).

3. I

f Tip

2 is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

redu

ce C

OD

V ri

sk k

eep

rela

tions

hip

of

com

plai

nant

to d

efen

dant

out

of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

(thou

gh th

is m

ay

not b

e ef

fect

ive

to a

void

rem

ovab

ility

) and

avo

id a

ny c

ourt

findi

ng th

at

offe

nse

was

com

mitt

ed in

vio

latio

n of

rele

vant

por

tion

of a

n or

der o

f pro

-te

ctio

n (s

ee T

ip fo

r def

ense

law

yers

acc

ompa

nyin

g C

rimin

al c

onte

mpt

, 2n

d de

gree

, PL

215.

50).

Agg

rava

ted

hara

ssm

ent,

1st d

egre

e

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

240.

31

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear o

r m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

May

be.

If th

e co

mpl

aina

nt w

as a

cu

rren

t or f

orm

er s

pous

e or

si

mila

rly s

ituat

ed in

divi

dual

, m

ight

be

CO

DV.

A

conv

ictio

n m

ight

als

o tri

gger

de

porta

bilit

y un

der C

OD

V

clau

ses

rega

rdin

g “c

rime

of

stal

king

” and

/or “

viol

atio

ns

of p

rote

ctiv

e or

ders

.”

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble.

2. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k or

CO

DV,

if p

ossi

ble

cons

ider

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct, T

resp

ass

or s

ubse

ctio

n (3

) of C

rimin

al M

is-

chie

f, fo

urth

deg

ree

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

,140

.05,

145

.00(

3)).

3. If

Tip

2 is

not

pos

sibl

e, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

e of

Har

assm

ent,

1st o

r 2nd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.25

& 2

40.2

6) a

nd, i

f tha

t als

o is

not

pos

-si

ble,

Agg

rava

ted

Har

assm

ent,

2nd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.30

).4.

If T

ip 3

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to re

duce

CO

DV

risk

kee

p re

latio

nshi

p of

co

mpl

aina

nt to

def

enda

nt o

ut o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n (th

ough

this

may

no

t be

effe

ctiv

e to

avo

id re

mov

abili

ty) a

nd a

void

any

cou

rt fin

ding

that

of

fens

e w

as c

omm

itted

in v

iola

tion

of re

leva

nt p

ortio

n of

an

orde

r of p

ro-

tect

ion

(see

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs a

ccom

pany

ing

Crim

inal

con

tem

pt.

2nd

degr

ee, P

L 21

5.50

).Lo

iterin

g

Viol

atio

n

240.

35

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.C

onvi

ctio

n un

der

subs

ectio

n (2

) mig

ht tr

igge

r “c

omm

erci

aliz

ed v

ice”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of C

IMT

and

“com

mer

cial

ized

vic

e” in

adm

issi

bilit

y ,

avoi

d su

bsec

tion

(2).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue fo

rmer

sub

sect

ion

(3) i

s no

t CIM

T be

caus

e it

lack

s an

y re

-qu

irem

ent t

hat p

rosc

ribed

con

duct

is u

nwel

com

e or

offe

nsiv

e to

oth

ers.

S

ee P

eopl

e v.

Upl

inge

r, 58

N.Y

.2d

936

(198

3).

Con

side

r pos

t-con

vict

ion

relie

f bas

ed o

n un

cons

titut

iona

lity

of s

tatu

te. S

ee id

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Loite

ring,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

240.

36

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O o

r CIM

T ris

ks, c

onsi

der o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as D

isor

-de

rly C

ondu

ct, T

resp

ass

or L

oite

ring

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

, 140

.05

&

240.

35).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e, k

eep

out o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

.Lo

iterin

g fo

r th

e pu

rpos

e of

eng

agin

g in

a

pros

titut

ion

offe

nse

Viol

atio

n C

lass

B

mis

dem

eano

r C

lass

A m

isde

-m

eano

r

240.

37

No.

M

aybe

. M

ight

trig

ger “

pros

titut

ion”

in

adm

issi

bilit

y.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of “p

rost

itutio

n” in

adm

issi

bilit

y (a

nd, i

f clie

nt h

as p

rior

CIM

T, to

avo

id C

IMT

depo

rtabi

lity

or in

adm

issi

bilit

y), i

f pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er

obta

inin

g an

adj

ourn

men

t in

cont

empl

atio

n of

dis

mis

sal (

AC

D) o

r an

alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct, T

resp

ass

or L

oite

ring

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

, 140

.05

& 2

40.3

5).

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue th

at ju

st o

ne o

r a fe

w lo

iterin

g co

nvic

tions

can

not t

rig-

ger “

pros

titut

ion”

inad

mis

sibi

lity.

The

BIA

has

hel

d th

at to

“eng

age

in”

pros

titut

ion,

one

mus

t hav

e en

gage

d in

a re

gula

r pat

tern

of b

ehav

ior o

r co

nduc

t. S

ee M

atte

r of T

, 6 I&

N D

ec. 4

74 (B

IA 1

955)

(hol

ding

that

the

nonc

itize

n w

ho w

as tw

ice

conv

icte

d fo

r com

mitt

ing

acts

of p

rost

itutio

n w

as n

ot e

xclu

dabl

e); M

atte

r of R

, 2 I&

N D

ec. 5

0 (B

IA 1

944)

(sin

gle

act

for g

ain

unde

r circ

umst

ance

s sh

owin

g pr

ostit

utio

n).

App

eara

nce

in

publ

ic u

nder

in

fluen

ce o

f dr

ug o

ther

th

an a

lcoh

ol

Viol

atio

n

240.

40

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O ri

sk, c

onsi

der o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

pla-

tion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as D

isor

derly

Con

-du

ct, T

resp

ass

or L

oite

ring

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

, 140

.05

& 2

40.3

5).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e, k

eep

out o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

.

Crim

inal

nu

isan

ce, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss B

mis

de-

mea

nor

240.

45

No.

M

aybe

. (S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, su

pra.

)

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k, if

pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er o

btai

ning

an

adjo

urnm

ent i

n co

ntem

plat

ion

of d

ism

issa

l (A

CD

) or a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es s

uch

as D

isor

-de

rly C

ondu

ct, T

resp

ass

or L

oite

ring

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.20

, 140

.05

&

240.

35).

2. If

Tip

1 is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

min

imiz

e ha

ve c

lient

allo

cute

to re

ckle

ss

men

s re

a un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (1

). S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

nu

isan

ce, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

240.

46

Mig

ht b

e “d

rug

traffi

ckin

g” A

F.

May

be.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“dru

g tra

ffick

ing”

AF

or C

SO

risk

s, if

pos

sibl

e co

nsid

er a

l-te

rnat

ive

offe

nses

suc

h as

Dis

orde

rly C

ondu

ct (s

ee a

bove

, PL

240.

20),

Crim

inal

Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

15),

Loite

ring

(see

abo

ve, P

L 24

0.35

), or

Crim

inal

Nui

sanc

e, 2

nd d

egre

e (s

ee a

bove

, PL

240.

25).

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e, k

eep

out o

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

.Fa

lsel

y re

porti

ng a

n in

cide

nt, 3

d de

gree

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

240.

50N

o.

May

be.

(See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.)

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

avo

id c

onvi

ctio

n un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (4

), an

d/or

avo

id a

llocu

tion

to s

peci

fic s

ubse

ctio

n an

d ke

ep re

cord

cle

ar o

f in

dica

tion

that

def

enda

nt in

tend

ed to

impa

ir la

wfu

l gov

ernm

ent f

unct

ion.

S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

)-(3

) are

not

a C

IMT

beca

use

none

requ

ires

a sp

ecifi

c in

tent

to im

pair

an im

porta

nt fu

nctio

n of

gov

ernm

ent b

y di

shon

-es

t mea

ns; o

ffens

e re

quire

s ne

ither

that

gov

ernm

ent b

e de

ceiv

ed n

or

obje

ctiv

e lik

elih

ood

that

gov

ernm

ent w

ill a

ct in

relia

nce

on fa

lse

repo

rt.

Com

pare

, e.g

., M

atte

r of J

urad

o, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 2

9 (B

IA 2

006)

(PA

stat

ute

requ

iring

inte

nt to

dis

rupt

per

form

ance

of o

ffici

al d

utie

s is

CIM

T).

Fals

ely

repo

rt-in

g an

inci

dent

, 2d

deg

ree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

240.

55M

ight

be

“exp

losi

ve

mat

eria

ls o

ffens

e” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

844

(e).

May

be. (

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.)

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

risk

of A

F, c

onsi

der p

lea

to F

alse

ly re

porti

ng a

n in

cide

nt in

th

e 3d

deg

ree,

PL

240.

50, a

nd k

eep

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

clea

r of r

efer

-en

ce to

offe

nse

desc

ribed

in 1

8 U

SC

844

(e).

2. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

avo

id c

onvi

ctio

n un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (2

), an

d/or

avo

id a

llocu

tion

to s

peci

fic s

ubse

ctio

n an

d ke

ep re

cord

cle

ar o

f in

dica

tion

that

def

enda

nt in

tend

ed to

impa

ir la

wfu

l gov

ernm

ent f

unct

ion.

S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

)-(3

) are

not

a C

IMT

beca

use

none

requ

ires

a sp

ecifi

c in

tent

to im

pair

an im

porta

nt fu

nctio

n of

gov

ernm

ent b

y di

shon

-es

t mea

ns; o

ffens

e re

quire

s ne

ither

that

gov

ernm

ent b

e de

ceiv

ed n

or

obje

ctiv

e lik

elih

ood

that

gov

ernm

ent w

ill a

ct in

relia

nce

on fa

lse

repo

rt.

Com

pare

, e.g

., M

atte

r of J

urad

o, 2

4 I&

N D

ec. 2

9 (B

IA 2

006)

(PA

stat

ute

requ

iring

inte

nt to

dis

rupt

per

form

ance

of o

ffici

al d

utie

s is

CIM

T).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Fals

ely

repo

rting

an

inci

dent

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

240.

60M

ight

be

“exp

losi

ve

mat

eria

ls o

ffens

e” A

F if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

show

s th

at o

ffens

e is

on

e “d

escr

ibed

in” 1

8 U

SC

844

(e).

May

be. (

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es,

supr

a.)

Sub

sect

ion

(5) m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

risk

of A

F, c

onsi

der p

lea

to F

alse

ly re

porti

ng a

n in

cide

nt in

th

e 3d

deg

ree,

PL

240.

50, a

nd k

eep

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

clea

r of r

efer

-en

ce to

offe

nse

desc

ribed

in 1

8 U

SC

844

(e).

2. T

o re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

avo

id a

llocu

tion

to s

peci

fic s

ubse

ctio

n an

d ke

ep re

cord

cle

ar o

f ind

icat

ion

that

def

enda

nt in

tend

ed to

impa

ir la

wfu

l go

vern

men

t fun

ctio

n. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Pub

lic

lew

dnes

s

Cla

ss B

m

isde

mea

nor

245.

00N

o.P

roba

bly.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. C

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

to d

isor

derly

con

duct

, PL

240.

20.

End

ange

ring

the

wel

fare

of

a ch

ild

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

260.

10

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) pr

obab

ly is

CIM

T.

Sub

sect

ion

(2)

mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

Pro

babl

y C

AC

.Ti

p fo

r def

ense

law

yers

:1.

To

avoi

d C

AC

, con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not s

peci

fy

min

ority

of c

ompl

aina

nt.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue n

ot a

CA

C b

ecau

se s

tatu

te d

oes

not r

equi

re a

ny s

peci

al d

uty

of c

are

owed

to c

ompl

aina

nt b

y de

fend

ant.

See

Mat

ter o

f Sor

am, 2

5 I&

N D

ec. 3

78, 3

88-9

0 (B

IA 2

010)

(Filp

pu, M

embe

r, co

ncur

ring)

.U

nlaw

fully

de

alin

g w

ith

a ch

ild, 1

st

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

260.

20N

o.S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) is

pro

babl

y N

OT

CIM

T. S

ubse

ctio

n (1

) mig

ht b

e C

IMT.

Sub

sect

ion

(1) m

ight

be

CS

O a

nd C

AC

. S

ubse

ctio

n (2

) mig

ht b

e C

AC

if re

cord

of

con

vict

ion

show

s co

mpl

aina

nt u

nder

18.

Crim

inal

pos

-se

ssio

n of

a

wea

pon,

4th

de

gree

Cla

ss A

mis

de-

mea

nor

265.

01

Pro

babl

y N

OT,

unl

ess

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

subs

ectio

n (4

) pre

dica

ted

on

felo

ny c

onvi

ctio

n, o

r an

offe

nse

akin

to o

ne

desc

ribed

in 1

8 U

SC

92

2(g)

(1),

(2),

(3),

(4),

or (5

), (j)

, (n)

, (o)

, (p)

, or

(r),

18 U

SC

924

(b)

or (h

), or

26

US

C 5

861,

in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e “fi

rear

m o

ffens

e” A

F.

Sub

sect

ions

(2)

and

(8) p

roba

bly

are

CIM

T. A

ll ot

her s

ubse

ctio

ns

prob

ably

are

NO

T C

IMT.

(S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

)

Sub

sect

ions

(1) t

hrou

gh

(6) a

re F

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

that

of

fens

e in

volv

ed a

fire

arm

or

des

truct

ive

devi

ce (a

s de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a).

Sub

sect

ions

(7) a

nd (8

) are

N

OT

FO.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

FO a

nd C

IMT,

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nse

such

as

Crim

i-na

l Tre

spas

s (s

ee a

bove

, PL

140.

15) o

r sub

sect

ion

(7) o

f 265

.01,

if

poss

ible

. 2.

If T

ip 1

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

FO

con

side

r sub

sect

ion

(8) o

r alte

r-na

tive

offe

nses

that

do

not r

equi

re a

s an

ele

men

t the

use

or p

osse

ssio

n of

a fi

rear

m, o

r, if

clie

nt p

lead

s to

sub

sect

ion

(1) o

r (2)

inst

ead,

kee

p ou

t of

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

that

wea

pon

was

a fi

rear

m.

3. T

o av

oid

CIM

T, a

void

sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd (8

), an

d sp

ecify

at p

lea

collo

quy

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot in

tend

to u

se th

e w

eapo

n/co

ntra

band

ite

m u

nlaw

fully

aga

inst

ano

ther

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue s

ubse

ctio

n (5

) cat

egor

ical

ly is

NO

T “fi

rear

m o

ffens

e” A

F. S

ee

U.S

. v. S

ando

val-B

araj

as, 2

06 F

.3d

853

(9th

Cir.

200

0) (c

onvi

ctio

n un

der

stat

e st

atut

e th

at a

pplie

s to

all

non-

citiz

ens

is n

ot a

n of

fens

e ‘d

escr

ibed

in

’ the

enu

mer

ated

fede

ral s

tatu

te, w

hich

app

lies

only

to th

ose

illeg

ally

in

the

U.S

.).2.

Arg

ue N

OT

FO if

gov

ernm

ent f

ails

to p

rove

that

clie

nt w

as c

onvi

cted

un

der o

ne o

f sub

sect

ions

(1) t

hrou

gh (6

); if

gove

rnm

ent p

rove

s co

nvic

-tio

n un

der s

ubse

ctio

ns (1

) or (

2), a

rgue

NO

T FO

if g

over

nmen

t fai

ls to

pr

ove

that

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hed

that

wea

pon

used

was

a

firea

rm.

3. A

rgue

sub

sect

ion

(2) N

OT

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F w

here

sen

tenc

e of

a y

ear i

s im

pose

d be

caus

e st

atut

e do

es n

ot h

ave

use,

atte

mpt

ed u

se,

or th

reat

ened

use

of f

orce

as

an e

lem

ent.

See

U.S

. v. G

amez

, 577

F.3

d 39

4, 3

98 (2

d C

ir. 2

009)

(hol

ding

that

form

er 2

65.0

3(1)

, sim

ilarly

requ

ir-in

g po

sses

sion

of w

eapo

n w

ith in

tent

to u

se u

nlaw

fully

aga

inst

ano

ther

, ca

nnot

be

equa

ted

with

act

ual,

atte

mpt

ed o

r thr

eate

ned

use

of fo

rce

for

purp

oses

of G

uide

line

2L1.

2 si

mila

r to

CO

V d

efini

tion

at 1

8 U

SC

16(

a)).

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

a w

eapo

n, 3

rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

265.

02

If te

rm o

f im

pris

onm

ent

impo

sed

is o

ne y

ear

or m

ore,

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

(esp

ecia

lly if

con

vict

ed

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(1)

(whe

n re

fere

ncin

g C

PW

, 4th

deg

ree,

su

bsec

tion

(2))

. If

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

an o

ffens

e ak

in to

one

des

crib

ed in

18

US

C 9

22(g

) (1)

, (2)

, (3

), (4

), or

(5),

(j), (

n),

(o),

(p),

or (r

), 18

US

C

924

(b) o

r (h)

, or 2

6 U

SC

586

1, m

ight

als

o be

“fire

arm

offe

nse”

AF.

Pro

babl

y if

conv

icte

d un

der

subs

ectio

n (1

) (w

hen

refe

renc

ing

CP

W, 4

th d

egre

e,

subs

ectio

n (2

)).

(See

Not

e on

C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

)

FO if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

firea

rm o

r de

stru

ctiv

e de

vice

(as

defin

ed in

18

US

C 9

21(a

)).

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F, a

void

sen

tenc

e of

one

yea

r or m

ore

(get

364

day

s or

less

) if p

ossi

ble

and,

whe

re th

at is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

min

i-m

ize

risk

avoi

d co

nvic

tion

unde

r sub

sect

ion

(1) (

whe

n re

fere

ncin

g C

PW

, 4t

h de

gree

, PL

265.

01, s

ubse

ctio

n (2

)).

2. T

o av

oid

FO, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t req

uire

as

an

elem

ent t

he u

se o

r pos

sess

ion

of a

fire

arm

.3.

To

avoi

d C

IMT,

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

refe

renc

e to

su

bsec

tion

(1) (

whe

n re

fere

ncin

g C

PW

, 4th

deg

ree,

sub

sect

ion

(2))

, an

d sp

ecify

at p

lea

collo

quy

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot in

tend

to u

se th

e w

eapo

n/co

ntra

band

item

unl

awfu

lly a

gain

st a

noth

er.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

).



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

a w

eapo

n, 2

nd

degr

ee

Cla

ss C

felo

ny

265.

03If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, s

ubse

ctio

n (1

)(b)

is

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e”

AF

in 2

d an

d 3d

Cirs

. an

d is

pro

babl

y “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in

othe

r jur

isdi

ctio

ns a

nd

subs

ectio

ns (1

)(a)

, (1)

(c) a

nd (2

) are

pro

babl

y “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF

in a

ny ju

risdi

ctio

n .

Sub

sect

ion

(3) m

ight

be

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F.

If re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s an

offe

nse

akin

to o

ne d

escr

ibed

in

18

US

C 9

22(g

) (1)

, (2

), (3

), (4

), or

(5),

(j),

(n),

(o),

(p),

or (r

), 18

U

SC

924

(b) o

r (h)

, or

26

US

C 5

861,

any

subs

ectio

n m

ight

als

o be

“fire

arm

offe

nse”

AF

Pro

babl

y (e

spec

ially

if

conv

icte

d un

der

subs

ectio

n (1

)).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.

Is F

O.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“crim

e of

vio

lenc

e” A

F ris

k, a

void

this

offe

nse

alto

geth

er,

cons

ider

CP

W, 4

th o

r 3rd

(see

abo

ve, P

L 26

5.01

& 2

65.0

2), a

nd g

et

sent

ence

of 3

64 d

ays

or le

ss.

2. T

o av

oid

FO, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t req

uire

as

an

elem

ent t

he u

se o

r pos

sess

ion

of a

fire

arm

.3.

To

min

imiz

e C

IMT

risk

unde

r sub

sect

ions

(2) a

nd (3

), sp

ecify

at p

lea

collo

quy

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot in

tend

to u

se th

e w

eapo

n un

law

fully

ag

ains

t ano

ther

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Crim

inal

po

sses

sion

of

a da

nger

ous

wea

pon,

1st

de

gree

Cla

ss B

felo

ny

265.

04If

term

of i

mpr

ison

men

t im

pose

d is

one

yea

r or

mor

e, s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) pr

obab

ly is

“crim

e of

vi

olen

ce” A

F an

d ei

ther

su

bsec

tion

mig

ht b

e “c

rime

of v

iole

nce”

AF.

If

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

an o

ffens

e ak

in to

one

des

crib

ed

in 1

8 U

SC

922

(g) (

1),

(2),

(3),

(4),

or (5

), (j)

, (n

), (o

), (p

), or

(r),

18

US

C 9

24 (b

) or (

h), o

r 26

US

C 5

861,

mig

ht b

e “fi

rear

m o

ffens

e” A

F.

Pro

babl

y (e

spec

ially

su

bsec

tion

(1))

. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

offe

nses

, sup

ra.

FO if

reco

rd o

f con

vict

ion

esta

blis

hes

firea

rm o

r de

stru

ctiv

e de

vice

(as

defin

ed in

18

US

C 9

21(a

))

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o m

inim

ize

CIM

T ris

k fo

r sub

sect

ion

(2),

spec

ify a

t ple

a co

lloqu

y th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

inte

nd to

use

the

wea

pons

unl

awfu

lly a

gain

st

anot

her.

See

Not

e on

CIM

T of

fens

es, s

upra

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Crim

inal

Sal

e of

a F

irear

m,

3rd

degr

ee

Cla

ss D

felo

ny

265.

11P

roba

bly

“fire

arm

tra

ffick

ing”

AF,

es

peci

ally

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

d sa

le o

r int

ent t

o se

ll fo

r rem

uner

atio

n (a

s op

pose

d to

giv

ing

or d

ispo

sing

with

out

rem

uner

atio

n). I

f re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s an

offe

nse

akin

to o

ne d

escr

ibed

in

18 U

SC

922

(g) (

1), (

2),

(3),

(4),

or (5

), (j)

, (n)

, (o

), (p

), or

(r),

18 U

SC

92

4 (b

) or (

h), o

r 26

US

C 5

861,

mig

ht a

lso

be “fi

rear

m o

ffens

e” A

F.

May

beFO

if re

cord

of c

onvi

ctio

n es

tabl

ishe

s fir

earm

or

dest

ruct

ive

devi

ce (a

s de

fined

in 1

8 U

SC

921

(a))

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

“fire

arm

traf

ficki

ng” A

F or

FO

risk

, avo

id th

is o

ffens

e al

toge

ther

and

con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not r

equi

re a

s an

el

emen

t the

use

or p

osse

ssio

n of

a fi

rear

m.

2. If

Tip

1 is

not

pos

sibl

e, to

avo

id “fi

rear

m tr

affic

king

” AF

risk,

con

side

r C

PW

, 4th

or 3

rd (s

ee a

bove

, PL

265.

01 &

265

.02)

, and

get

sen

tenc

e of

36

4 da

ys o

r les

s.3.

If p

lead

ing

to th

is o

ffens

e ca

nnot

be

avoi

ded,

to p

rese

rve

argu

men

t th

at it

is n

ot a

“fire

arm

traf

ficki

ng” A

F, p

lead

to s

ubse

ctio

n (1

) and

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

refe

renc

e to

sal

e fo

r rem

uner

atio

n (it

may

be

bette

r to

esta

blis

h gi

ving

or d

ispo

sing

with

out r

emun

erat

ion)

.4.

To

avoi

d FO

, con

side

r alte

rnat

ive

offe

nses

that

do

not r

equi

re a

s an

el

emen

t the

use

or p

osse

ssio

n of

a fi

rear

m.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

“fire

arm

traf

ficki

ng” A

F if

gove

rnm

ent f

ails

to p

rove

that

cl

ient

was

con

vict

ed o

f tra

nsfe

r of fi

rear

m fo

r rem

uner

atio

n. S

ee K

uhal

i v.

Ren

o, 2

66 F

.3d

93 (2

d C

ir. 2

001)

Failu

re to

di

sclo

se th

e or

igin

of a

re

cord

ing,

2d

degr

ee

Cla

ss A

m

isde

mea

nor

275.

35N

o, u

nles

s se

nten

ce o

f on

e ye

ar is

impo

sed,

in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e “c

ount

erfe

iting

” AF

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of A

F or

CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

to n

on-C

IMT

offe

nse

such

as

diso

rder

ly c

ondu

ct (P

L 24

0.20

, abo

ve) o

r tre

spas

s (P

L 14

0.05

, abo

ve),

or fo

r offe

nses

com

mitt

ed w

ithin

New

Yor

k C

ity c

on-

side

r alte

rnat

e pl

ea to

vio

latio

n of

Adm

inis

trativ

e C

ode

20-4

53 (v

endo

r’s

licen

se re

quire

d), o

r loc

al e

quiv

alen

t, if

any,

out

side

of N

ew Y

ork

City

.2.

Out

side

of N

ew Y

ork

City

or i

f Tip

1 a

bove

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

ris

k of

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F, n

egot

iate

sen

tenc

e of

less

than

one

yea

r.3.

If p

lea

to th

is s

tatu

te is

requ

ired,

to re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

spe

cify

in

plea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

kno

w th

at s

ubje

ct re

cord

ings

faile

d to

dis

clos

e re

quire

d in

form

atio

n (s

ee T

ip 2

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

, be

low

, and

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

). I

f thi

s is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

void

ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e in

reco

rd o

f suc

h kn

owle

dge.

To

furth

er

redu

ce ri

sk o

f CIM

T de

porta

bilit

y, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

to a

ttem

pt

(PL

110)

to c

omm

it 27

5.35

, w

hich

as

a B

mis

dem

eano

r will

not

trig

ger

depo

rtabi

lity

as “1

CIM

T w

ithin

5 y

ears

of a

dmis

sion

.”

(Tip

s fo

r im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

rs c

ontin

ued

on n

ext p

age)



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYP

L Se

ctio

nA

ggra

vate

d Fe

lony

(A

F)?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al T

urpi

tude

(C

IMT)

?[S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m.

Viol

ence

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

O

ffens

e (F

O),

Pros

titut

ion,

Co

mm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

adv

ocat

es m

ay

purs

ue. F

or a

dditi

onal

def

ense

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

im

mig

ratio

n la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee A

ppen

dix

K.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1

. Arg

ue o

ffens

e is

not

AF

“rel

atin

g to

. . .

cou

nter

feiti

ng” b

ecau

se it

do

es n

ot re

quire

for c

onvi

ctio

n th

at th

e de

fend

ant i

nfrin

ge th

e rig

hts

of

any

copy

right

hol

der.

See

Peo

ple

v. B

urrie

lo, 5

88 N

.Y.S

.2d

991

(N.Y

. S

up. C

t. 19

92).

2. A

rgue

offe

nse

is n

ot c

ateg

oric

ally

CIM

T be

caus

e it

does

not

requ

ire

know

ledg

e th

at s

ubje

ct re

cord

ings

fail

to d

iscl

ose

requ

ired

info

rmat

ion,

se

e P

eopl

e v.

Col

on,7

98 N

.Y.S

.2d

856,

862

-64

(N.Y

. Sup

. Ct.

2005

), af

f’d o

n ot

her g

roun

ds, 8

47 N

.Y.S

.2d

44 (A

pp. D

iv. 1

st D

ep’t

2007

) and

be

caus

e it

does

not

requ

ire fo

r con

vict

ion

that

the

defe

ndan

t inf

ringe

the

right

s of

any

cop

yrig

ht h

olde

r, se

e P

eopl

e v.

Bur

rielo

, 588

N.Y

.S.2

d 99

1 (N

.Y. S

up. C

t. 19

92)

Failu

re to

di

sclo

se th

e or

igin

of a

re

cord

ing

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

275.

40N

o, u

nles

s se

nten

ce o

f on

e ye

ar is

impo

sed,

in

whi

ch c

ase

mig

ht b

e “c

ount

erfe

iting

” AF.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

risk

of A

F or

CIM

T, fo

r offe

nses

com

mitt

ed w

ithin

New

Yor

k C

ity c

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

to v

iola

tion

of A

dmin

istra

tive

Cod

e 20

-453

(v

endo

r’s li

cens

e re

quire

d), o

r loc

al e

quiv

alen

t, if

any,

out

side

of N

ew

York

City

.2.

Out

side

of N

ew Y

ork

City

or i

f Tip

1 a

bove

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to a

void

ris

k of

“cou

nter

feiti

ng” A

F, n

egot

iate

sen

tenc

e of

less

than

one

yea

r.3.

If p

lea

to th

is s

tatu

te is

requ

ired,

to re

duce

risk

of C

IMT,

spe

cify

in

plea

allo

cutio

n th

at d

efen

dant

did

not

kno

w th

at s

ubje

ct re

cord

ings

faile

d to

dis

clos

e re

quire

d in

form

atio

n (s

ee T

ip 2

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

, be

low

, and

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

). I

f thi

s is

not

pos

sibl

e, a

void

ad

mis

sion

or o

ther

evi

denc

e in

reco

rd o

f suc

h kn

owle

dge.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

: 1.

Arg

ue o

ffens

e is

not

AF

“rel

atin

g to

… c

ount

erfe

iting

” bec

ause

it

does

not

requ

ire fo

r con

vict

ion

that

the

defe

ndan

t inf

ringe

the

right

s of

an

y co

pyrig

ht h

olde

r. S

ee P

eopl

e v.

Bur

rielo

, 588

N.Y

.S.2

d 99

1 (N

.Y.

Sup

. Ct.

1992

).2.

Arg

ue o

ffens

e is

not

cat

egor

ical

ly C

IMT

beca

use

it do

es n

ot re

quire

kn

owle

dge

that

sub

ject

reco

rdin

gs fa

il to

dis

clos

e re

quire

d in

form

atio

n,

see

Peo

ple

v. C

olon

,798

N.Y

.S.2

d 85

6, 8

62-6

4 (N

.Y. S

up. C

t. 20

05),

aff’d

on

othe

r gro

unds

, 847

N.Y

.S.2

d 44

(App

. Div.

1st

Dep

’t 20

07) a

nd

beca

use

it do

es n

ot re

quire

for c

onvi

ctio

n th

at th

e de

fend

ant i

nfrin

ge th

e rig

hts

of a

ny c

opyr

ight

hol

der,

see

Peo

ple

v. B

urrie

lo, 5

88 N

.Y.S

.2d

991

(N.Y

. Sup

. Ct.

1992

).



REPRESENTINGIM



NEW

YO

RK

VEH

ICLE

AN

D T

RA

FFIC

LAW

OFF

ENSE

S

Offe

nse

NYV

TL

Sect

ion

Agg

rava

ted

Felo

ny

(AF)

?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al

Turp

itude

(CIM

T)?

[See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m. V

iole

nce

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO

), Pr

ostit

utio

n, C

omm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

ad

voca

tes

may

pur

sue.

For

add

ition

al d

efen

se la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

imm

igra

tion

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

App

endi

x K

.

Vehi

cle

& T

raffi

c La

w

Viol

atio

ns

Traf

fic in

fract

ion

509

No.

Sub

sect

ions

(4) a

nd (6

) ar

e pr

obab

ly N

OT

CIM

T.

Oth

er s

ubse

ctio

ns a

re

NO

T C

IMTs

.A

ggra

vate

d un

licen

sed

oper

atio

n of

a v

ehic

le,

3rd

degr

ee

Mis

dem

eano

r

511(

1)

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

to u

nlic

ense

d dr

ivin

g un

der V

TL 5

09(1

), ab

ove.

(B

ut s

ee 5

11(5

), re

quiri

ng

pros

ecut

or’s

ass

ent).

Agg

rava

ted

unlic

ense

d op

erat

ion

of a

veh

icle

, 2n

d de

gree

M

isde

mea

nor

511(

2)

No.

M

aybe

.

Agg

rava

ted

unlic

ense

d op

erat

ion

of a

veh

icle

, 1s

t deg

ree

Cla

ss E

felo

ny

511(

3)

No.

S

ubse

ctio

n (a

)(i)

prob

ably

is C

IMT.

M

ight

be

CS

O if

reco

rd o

f co

nvic

tion

esta

blis

hes

a co

ntro

lled

subs

tanc

e as

de

fined

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O ri

sk, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t ha

ve d

rugs

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

offe

nse.

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, to

redu

ce C

SO

ris

k if

poss

ible

kee

p ou

t of r

ecor

d of

con

vict

ion

iden

tifica

tion

of

the

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

invo

lved

. If b

oth

alco

hol a

nd d

rugs

wer

e al

lege

d, e

stab

lish

in p

lea

collo

quy

that

onl

y al

coho

l (an

d no

t dr

ugs)

was

invo

lved

.3.

To

avoi

d C

IMT

risk,

avo

id c

onvi

ctio

n un

der s

ubse

ctio

n (a

)(i).

Faci

litat

ing

aggr

avat

ed

unlic

ense

d op

erat

ion

of a

veh

icle

, 3rd

de

gree

Traf

fic in

fract

ion

511-

a(1)

N

o.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Faci

litat

ing

aggr

avat

ed

unlic

ense

d op

erat

ion

of a

veh

icle

, 2nd

de

gree

M

isde

mea

nor

511-

a(3)

N

o.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

Faci

litat

ing

aggr

avat

ed

unlic

ense

d op

erat

ion

of a

veh

icle

, 1st

de

gree

Cla

ss E

Fel

ony

511-

a(4)

N

o.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYV

TL

Sect

ion

Agg

rava

ted

Felo

ny

(AF)

?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al

Turp

itude

(CIM

T)?

[See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m. V

iole

nce

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO

), Pr

ostit

utio

n, C

omm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

ad

voca

tes

may

pur

sue.

For

add

ition

al d

efen

se la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

imm

igra

tion

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

App

endi

x K

.

Ope

ratio

n w

hile

re

gist

ratio

n or

priv

ilege

is

sus

pend

ed o

r re

voke

d.

Mis

dem

eano

r

512

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T.

Leav

ing

scen

e of

an

inci

dent

with

out

repo

rting

Cla

ss A

and

B

mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

600

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

May

be (e

spec

ially

if

inju

ry re

sulte

d an

d if

evid

ence

indi

cate

s de

fend

ant k

new

(and

di

d no

t mer

ely

have

ca

use

to k

now

) of

inju

ry/d

amag

e; a

nd/o

r if

evid

ence

indi

cate

s th

at

defe

ndan

t lef

t sce

ne

and

did

not m

erel

y fa

il to

giv

e re

quire

d in

form

atio

n).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

conv

ictio

n of

CIM

T, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ate

plea

suc

h as

R

eckl

ess

Driv

ing,

(VTL

121

2, b

elow

). W

here

this

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

to

redu

ce C

IMT

risk,

spe

cify

at a

llocu

tion

that

def

enda

nt d

id n

ot

leav

e sc

ene

of a

ccid

ent b

ut m

erel

y fa

iled

to p

rovi

de re

quire

d in

sura

nce

info

rmat

ion.

If t

his

is n

ot p

ossi

ble,

kee

p re

cord

vag

ue

as to

nat

ure

of o

ffens

e. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Whe

re e

vide

nce

perm

its, a

rgue

that

offe

nse

of m

erel

y fa

iling

to

giv

e re

quire

d in

form

atio

n is

cat

egor

ical

ly n

ot tu

rpitu

dino

us.

See

, e.g

., C

erez

o v.

Muk

asey

, 512

F.3

d 11

63 (9

th C

ir. 2

008)

. 2.

In a

ll ca

ses,

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

not

a C

IMT

beca

use

it re

quire

s on

ly th

at d

efen

dant

hav

e “c

ause

to k

now

” of d

amag

e/in

jury

and

re

quire

s no

cul

pabl

e m

enta

l sta

te a

t all

as to

leav

ing

scen

e of

ac-

cide

nt w

ithou

t ful

fillin

g sp

ecifi

ed re

quire

men

ts.

See

, e.g

., P

eopl

e v.

Use

o, 5

49 N

.Y.S

.2d

490

(App

. Div.

2d

Dep

’t 19

89).

Driv

ing

whi

le a

bilit

y im

paire

d

Traf

fic in

fract

ion

Mis

dem

eano

r

1192

(1)

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o fu

rther

redu

ce C

IMT

risk,

avo

id s

imul

tane

ous

plea

to

offe

nse

that

incl

udes

ele

men

t of k

now

ledg

e th

at li

cens

e or

priv

i-le

ge to

driv

e is

sus

pend

ed o

r rev

oked

(e.g

., V

TL 5

11, a

bove

).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

If g

over

nmen

t atte

mpt

s to

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

CIM

T be

caus

e co

mm

itted

whe

n de

fend

ant’s

lice

nse

was

in fa

ct s

uspe

nded

or

revo

ked,

arg

ue th

at e

ven

unde

r Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, a

ggra

-va

ting

fact

or p

unis

habl

e as

sep

arat

e of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

com

-bi

ned

with

offe

nse

of c

onvi

ctio

n to

cre

ate

CIM

T w

here

nei

ther

al

one

is C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Tor

res-

Vare

la, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 7

8,

90-9

1 (B

IA 2

001)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYV

TL

Sect

ion

Agg

rava

ted

Felo

ny

(AF)

?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al

Turp

itude

(CIM

T)?

[See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m. V

iole

nce

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO

), Pr

ostit

utio

n, C

omm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

ad

voca

tes

may

pur

sue.

For

add

ition

al d

efen

se la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

imm

igra

tion

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

App

endi

x K

.

Driv

ing

whi

le

into

xica

ted;

per

se

Mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

1192

(2)

No.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

See

N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o fu

rther

redu

ce C

IMT

risk,

avo

id s

imul

tane

ous

plea

to

offe

nse

that

incl

udes

ele

men

t of k

now

ledg

e th

at li

cens

e or

priv

i-le

ge to

driv

e is

sus

pend

ed o

r rev

oked

(e.g

., V

TL 5

11, a

bove

).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

If g

over

nmen

t atte

mpt

s to

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

CIM

T be

caus

e co

mm

itted

whe

n de

fend

ant’s

lice

nse

was

in fa

ct s

uspe

nded

or

revo

ked,

arg

ue th

at e

ven

unde

r Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, a

ggra

-va

ting

fact

or p

unis

habl

e as

sep

arat

e of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

com

-bi

ned

with

offe

nse

of c

onvi

ctio

n to

cre

ate

CIM

T w

here

nei

ther

al

one

is C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Tor

res-

Vare

la, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 7

8,

90-9

1 (B

IA 2

001)

. A

ggra

vate

d dr

ivin

g w

hile

into

xica

ted;

per

se

Mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

1192

(2-

a)N

o.S

ubse

ctio

n (a

) is

prob

ably

NO

T a

CIM

T.

Sub

sect

ion

(b) m

ight

be

a C

IMT.

See

Not

e on

C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Sub

sect

ion

(b) m

ight

be

CA

C.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o re

duce

CIM

T ris

k, c

onsi

der p

lea

to a

ltern

ate

offe

nse

of

1192

(2).

Not

e th

at th

is m

ay n

ot e

ntire

ly e

limin

ate

CIM

T ris

k if

aggr

avat

ing

fact

ors

(esp

ecia

lly c

hild

ren

in c

ar) p

rese

nt.

To

furth

er re

duce

CIM

T ris

k, a

void

sim

ulta

neou

s pl

ea to

offe

nse

that

in

clud

es e

lem

ent o

f kno

wle

dge

that

lice

nse

or p

rivile

ge to

driv

e is

sus

pend

ed o

r rev

oked

(e.g

., V

TL 5

11, a

bove

.) S

ee N

ote

on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.

Tip

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

If g

over

nmen

t atte

mpt

s to

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

CIM

T be

caus

e co

mm

itted

whe

n de

fend

ant’s

lice

nse

was

in fa

ct s

uspe

nded

or

revo

ked,

arg

ue th

at e

ven

unde

r Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, a

ggra

-va

ting

fact

or p

unis

habl

e as

sep

arat

e of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

com

-bi

ned

with

offe

nse

of c

onvi

ctio

n to

cre

ate

CIM

T w

here

nei

ther

al

one

is C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Tor

res-

Vare

la, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 7

8,

90-9

1 (B

IA 2

001)

. D

rivin

g w

hile

in

toxi

cate

d

Mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

1192

(3)

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o fu

rther

redu

ce C

IMT

risk,

avo

id s

imul

tane

ous

plea

to

offe

nse

that

incl

udes

ele

men

t of k

now

ledg

e th

at li

cens

e or

priv

i-le

ge to

driv

e is

sus

pend

ed o

r rev

oked

(e.g

., V

TL 5

11, a

bove

).

See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYV

TL

Sect

ion

Agg

rava

ted

Felo

ny

(AF)

?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al

Turp

itude

(CIM

T)?

[See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m. V

iole

nce

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO

), Pr

ostit

utio

n, C

omm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

ad

voca

tes

may

pur

sue.

For

add

ition

al d

efen

se la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

imm

igra

tion

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

App

endi

x K

.

Driv

ing

whi

le a

bilit

y im

paire

d by

dru

gs

Mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

1192

(4)

No.

P

roba

bly

NO

T. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O ri

sk, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t ha

ve d

rugs

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

offe

nse.

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

b-st

ance

invo

lved

.3.

To

furth

er re

duce

CIM

T ris

k, a

void

sim

ulta

neou

s pl

ea to

of

fens

e th

at in

clud

es e

lem

ent o

f kno

wle

dge

that

lice

nse

or p

rivi-

lege

to d

rive

is s

uspe

nded

or r

evok

ed (e

.g.,

VTL

511

, abo

ve).

S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

n-tro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

If g

over

nmen

t atte

mpt

s to

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

CIM

T be

caus

e co

mm

itted

whe

n de

fend

ant’s

lice

nse

was

in fa

ct s

uspe

nded

or

revo

ked,

arg

ue th

at e

ven

unde

r Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, a

ggra

-va

ting

fact

or p

unis

habl

e as

sep

arat

e of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

com

-bi

ned

with

offe

nse

of c

onvi

ctio

n to

cre

ate

CIM

T w

here

nei

ther

al

one

is C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Tor

res-

Vare

la, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 7

8,

90-9

1 (B

IA 2

001)

. D

rivin

g w

hile

abi

lity

impa

ired

by th

e co

mbi

ned

influ

ence

of

drug

s an

d al

coho

l

Cla

ss A

and

B

mis

dem

eano

r

Cla

ss E

and

D fe

lony

1192

(4-

a)N

o.P

roba

bly

NO

T. S

ee

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es,

supr

a.

Mig

ht b

e C

SO

if re

cord

of

conv

ictio

n es

tabl

ishe

s a

cont

rolle

d su

bsta

nce

as

defin

ed in

21

US

C 8

02.

Tips

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o av

oid

CS

O ri

sk, c

onsi

der a

ltern

ativ

e of

fens

es th

at d

o no

t ha

ve d

rugs

as

an e

lem

ent o

f the

offe

nse.

2. If

ple

adin

g to

this

offe

nse

cann

ot b

e av

oide

d, if

pos

sibl

e ke

ep

out o

f rec

ord

of c

onvi

ctio

n id

entifi

catio

n of

the

cont

rolle

d su

b-st

ance

invo

lved

.3.

To

furth

er re

duce

CIM

T ris

k, a

void

sim

ulta

neou

s pl

ea to

of

fens

e th

at in

clud

es e

lem

ent o

f kno

wle

dge

that

lice

nse

or p

rivi-

lege

to d

rive

is s

uspe

nded

or r

evok

ed (e

.g.,

VTL

511

, abo

ve).

S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.

Tips

for i

mm

igra

tion

law

yers

:1.

Arg

ue N

OT

CS

O if

gov

ernm

ent f

aile

d to

pro

ve th

at th

e co

n-tro

lled

subs

tanc

e in

volv

ed is

one

defi

ned

in 2

1 U

SC

802

.2.

If g

over

nmen

t atte

mpt

s to

arg

ue o

ffens

e is

CIM

T be

caus

e co

mm

itted

whe

n de

fend

ant’s

lice

nse

was

in fa

ct s

uspe

nded

or

revo

ked,

arg

ue th

at e

ven

unde

r Mat

ter o

f Silv

a-Tr

evin

o, a

ggra

-va

ting

fact

or p

unis

habl

e as

sep

arat

e of

fens

e ca

nnot

be

com

-bi

ned

with

offe

nse

of c

onvi

ctio

n to

cre

ate

CIM

T w

here

nei

ther

al

one

is C

IMT.

See

Mat

ter o

f Tor

res-

Vare

la, 2

3 I&

N D

ec. 7

8,

90-9

1 (B

IA 2

001)

.



REPRESENTINGIM



Offe

nse

NYV

TL

Sect

ion

Agg

rava

ted

Felo

ny

(AF)

?

Crim

e In

volv

ing

Mor

al

Turp

itude

(CIM

T)?

[See

Not

e on

CIM

T O

ffens

es, s

upra

]

Oth

er G

roun

ds?:

Cont

rolle

d Su

bsta

nce

(CSO

), Cr

ime

Agai

nst C

hild

(CAC

), Do

m. V

iole

nce

(CO

DV) e

tc.,

Fire

arm

Offe

nse

(FO

), Pr

ostit

utio

n, C

omm

erci

aliz

ed V

ice

Com

men

ts, S

trat

egie

s &

Tip

s Th

ese

are

by n

o m

eans

an

exha

ustiv

e lis

t of s

trate

gies

and

tips

ad

voca

tes

may

pur

sue.

For

add

ition

al d

efen

se la

wye

r stra

tegi

es, s

ee

Cha

pter

5. F

or a

dditi

onal

imm

igra

tion

law

yer s

trate

gies

, see

App

endi

x K

.

Ope

ratin

g a

mot

or

vehi

cle

afte

r hav

ing

cons

umed

alc

ohol

Non

-crim

inal

ad

judi

catio

n

1192

-aN

o.N

o.

Rec

kles

s dr

ivin

g

Mis

dem

eano

r

1212

No.

Pro

babl

y N

OT.

See

N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, su

pra.

Tip

for d

efen

se la

wye

rs:

1. T

o m

inim

ize

risk

of C

IMT,

allo

cute

to v

iola

tion

of “u

nrea

son-

ably

inte

rfere

s” p

rong

of s

tatu

te (a

s op

pose

d to

“unr

easo

nabl

y en

dang

ers”

) and

con

trove

rt or

kee

p re

cord

cle

ar o

f any

inju

ry

or p

rope

rty d

amag

e re

sulti

ng fr

om o

ffens

e. S

ee N

ote

on C

IMT

Offe

nses

, sup

ra.