Empowering Immigrants, Strengthening America

A criminal charge affects every defendant. For noncitizens, however, the stakes extend far beyond the courtroom. A conviction can trigger detention, deportation, visa denial, or loss of lawful status, even for long-time residents with families in Philadelphia.

If you are being investigated for, have been arrested, or have been charged with any criminal offense, connect with DeCosmo Law right away. Our criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia can identify and assess the criminal exposure and the immigration consequences of your case. Unfortunately, an outcome that seems acceptable on paper may still put you at risk with ICE, and we work to prevent that from happening.

What Are Common Criminal Charges for Noncitizens in Philadelphia?

Different charges interact with immigration law in many ways. Some cases we regularly handle at DeCosmo Law include:

Theft or Shoplifting

Pennsylvania treats many theft offenses as misdemeanors. However, immigration law may classify them as crimes involving moral turpitude, depending on the value and intent. A single conviction can cause visa denials or inadmissibility issues.

Drug Possession

Even minor, non-jailable drug offenses can trigger immigration consequences. Under federal law, most controlled substance convictions, aside from simple possession of under 30 grams of marijuana, can lead to removal or bar certain applications.

The federal immigration statute includes separate consequences for domestic violence-related convictions, protection order violations, and offenses involving threats or alleged harm to family members.

Assault

Noncitizens charged with simple or aggravated assault in Philadelphia face layered risks. These include criminal penalties from Pennsylvania law and potential immigration exposure depending on whether intent, injury level, or weapons are involved.

What matters most is not the label, but how the statute is written, what the government must prove, and what the final conviction reflects. That is where strategic negotiation and precise record-building from our criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia can make the difference.

Why Noncitizens Need a Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorney Who Understands Criminal and Immigration Systems

Immigration law treats certain criminal offenses with extraordinary severity. Federal statutes classify some convictions as crimes involving moral turpitude, aggravated felonies, or controlled-substance violations, each carrying different consequences. These categories don’t always match how Pennsylvania labels an offense, which is why a plea that seems routine to a criminal court can become life-altering for a noncitizen.

These distinctions matter in Philadelphia, where thousands of residents hold permanent-resident cards, work visas, family-based visas, or DACA protections. Annual enforcement data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows that a large share of removals nationwide involves noncitizens with criminal convictions or pending charges.

Our criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia have seen noncitizens placed into removal proceedings over minor offenses because the legal definitions overlap in ways that most defendants never realize. Their role is to navigate both systems at once, which is something general criminal lawyers usually overlook. They can evaluate potential immigration triggers before negotiations begin and not after the plea is entered.

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia Protect Your Freedom and Keep You Here

At DeCosmo Law, our Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys begin with a detailed review of the statute, the charging documents, and the exact allegations against you. They’ll assess:

  • whether the offense fits any category that can trigger immigration issues,
  • whether the facts support the charge as written,
  • whether immigration-safe alternatives exist,
  • and whether dismissal, diversion, or charge modifications are possible.

Likewise, they’ll track how the outcome will appear in databases used by immigration authorities. Criminal cases and immigration cases speak different legal languages, and part of their job is translating one into the other to avoid unintended consequences. Your lawyer will also negotiate outcomes that avoid deportability or inadmissibility, prepare you for the possibility of immigration follow-up, and coordinate with immigration counsel when necessary.

Speak to Our Reputable Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia

For your confidential case review with our criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia at DeCosmo Law, please reach out to us online or call 856-361-2122. Se habla español.