Don’t Panic — Take Action: Help Your Undocumented Loved One After an Arrest for a Crime

First, DO NOT PAY THE BOND!

Please talk to an attorney first to confirm if ICE has placed an “ICE Hold”.

Sometimes, it’s better NOT to pay the criminal bond until an attorney can talk to your loved one and review his or her case.

Some client’s have deportation orders and once they pay the bond in their criminal case, there is a HIGH CHANCE that he or she will get picked up by ICE and deported.

For example, I had a client who was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license. He was undocumented. But more importantly, he was a husband and a father of two children.

After he was arrested, his wife sought the help of an attorney. I advised NOT to pay the bond so I can visit him at the jail.

After I talked to him at the jail, I learned that he had an ICE Hold, and that he had prior charges in the past. Because Florida changed the law where on your 3rd offense for driving without a license, you must serve a minimum 10-day jail sentence, I advised the client NOT TO PAY BOND.

That gave his attorney and family time to gather all his documents and evidence and to prepare a motion for release with the immigration judge.

After a few weeks in custody, the immigration judge released him on bond. Also, I filed a Motion to Suppress the traffic stop in his criminal case because the officer did not have the authority to stop his car and arrest him. After we filed the motion, the State Attorney dropped the jail requirement and he only had to pay a fine.

This husband and father was later reunited with his family. Also, because he was picked up by ICE, he was able to obtain a work permit and a driver’s license. This is why it’s important to talk to an attorney who specializes in both immigration and criminal matters BEFORE paying any bond.

Call today to schedule a free consultation and get the defense you need.