International students are prone to more severe penalties when they commit a crime. Not only are they subjected to the usual criminal penalties, they also face possible deportation. This means they can be sent back to their country of origin and not be allowed to return. Sometimes, the United States will not admit foreign students into the country if they have certain types of crimes on their criminal record, even if it is a misdemeanor crime in the state they wish to visit.

Which Crimes are Deportable?

International students who commit a crime “of moral turpitude” that is punishable by up to one year or more in jail may be deportable. Although the term, “moral turpitude” is vague and not technical, it refers to crimes that involve fraud or present danger to others. It can also include fleeing from a police officer, minor consumption of alcohol, and public intoxication. For this reason, charged international students must hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can fight for their rights to remain in our country. They may also need to consult with an immigrations lawyers.

Crimes that involve substance control possession can result in deportation. However, it depends on the type of drug and the amount in possession. It is unlikely for a student to be deported for possession of marijuana under 30 grams. On the other hand, priors and enhancements can make this type of offense a deportable one. It varies from person to person. In the case that a student is charged and convicted of an inadmissible offense (such as the example of marijuana possession above), they may not be deported, but once they do leave the country, they will not be allowed to come back ever again.

Other crimes that are deportable include those of forgery, fraud, theft, and of course, violence. There are also certain traffic offenses that may make an international student deportable. It is important for college students from another country to retain professional legal counsel if they face criminal charges in order to avoid possible deportation and inadmissibility. An international student should never appear in court without a criminal defense lawyer on their side.

Aggressive Indianapolis Criminal Defense

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 for aggressive criminal defense against criminal charges and citations in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss the best strategies of defense for your legal situation. Call 317-636-7514 today to get started.