When the police pull you over and things go south, or a past mistake suddenly resurfaces during a green card interview, the room starts to feel very small. For non-citizens, a criminal charge isn't just about fines or jail time. It is a direct threat to your life in this country. Most people think they can hire any defense attorney to handle a "simple" case, but that’s a dangerous gamble. You need someone who understands the messy, high-stakes intersection of criminal defense and federal immigration policy.
JZ Law Firm, led by the team at Jadoo & Zalenski, operates in this high-pressure zone. Based in Englewood, New Jersey, they specialize in the "crimmigration" space, where a single poorly phrased guilty plea can trigger an automatic deportation order.
The Reality of "Crimmigration" in 2026
The legal world calls it crimmigration. It sounds like jargon, but it’s basically the "trap door" of the American legal system. Basically, the U.S. government has spent the last few decades weaving immigration consequences into the fabric of the criminal justice system.
Honestly, the stakes are higher for you than for a U.S. citizen facing the same charge. If a citizen gets a DUI, they pay a fine and maybe lose their license. If a green card holder gets a specific type of conviction, they might lose their right to stay in the U.S. forever. This is where a JZ Law Firm criminal immigration lawyer steps in. They don’t just look at the criminal statutes; they look at how those statutes translate in the eyes of an immigration judge.
Why Your Defense Attorney’s Advice Can Save (or Ruin) You
A landmark case you should know about is Padilla v. Kentucky. In that 2010 Supreme Court ruling, the court decided that criminal defense lawyers must advise their non-citizen clients about the deportation risks of a guilty plea.
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But here’s the problem: many general practitioners don't actually know the nuances of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). They might tell you, "Just take the plea, it’s only 364 days of probation." They don't realize that for certain crimes, a sentence of 365 days (even if suspended) can be classified as an "aggravated felony," making deportation mandatory and stopping you from ever coming back.
JZ Law Firm focuses on these specific details. They represent clients before:
- The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
What Most People Get Wrong About Criminal Charges
Most people think only "serious" crimes like robbery or assault lead to deportation. That is simply not true. You’d be surprised how many "minor" offenses can derail a citizenship application.
Traffic violations often seem like a nuisance, but in New Jersey, certain offenses can be interpreted as crimes of moral turpitude. If you are a non-citizen and you have a record involving fraud, theft, or even certain drug possession charges, you are walking on thin ice. JZ Law Firm handles everything from municipal court traffic matters to serious felony defense, always with an eye on the client's immigration status.
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The "Safe Haven" Plea
If you're facing charges, your lawyer's goal shouldn't just be "not guilty." Sometimes, the evidence is stacked against you. In those cases, a knowledgeable JZ Law Firm criminal immigration lawyer works on "safe haven" pleas.
This means negotiating a plea to a different charge—one that carries the same criminal penalty but doesn't trigger deportation under federal law. It’s a surgical approach to lawyering. It requires knowing the exact phrasing that will keep a client's record "clean" enough for USCIS.
Dealing with Deportation and Removal Proceedings
If ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is already involved, the situation is urgent. Removal proceedings are not like criminal trials; you don't have a right to a court-appointed attorney if you can't afford one. You have to find your own help.
JZ Law Firm handles defense against deportation, representing individuals in the Immigration Court system. This includes:
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- Bond Hearings: Getting you or your loved one out of detention while the case is pending.
- Cancellation of Removal: Proving that your deportation would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to a U.S. citizen family member.
- Waivers: Asking the government to forgive a past mistake (like a criminal conviction or a period of being undocumented) so you can keep your green card or get a visa.
It is a long, grinding process. The firm often works with families who have been in the U.S. for decades. Under recent policies, like the 2024 directives for keeping families together, there are new pathways for spouses of U.S. citizens—but these pathways are blocked if there is a disqualifying criminal record.
Actionable Steps If You Are Facing Legal Trouble
If you are a non-citizen and you are arrested or contacted by the police, do not panic, but do not be silent. Your first moves determine your future.
- Don't talk to the police without a lawyer. Anything you say can be used by the prosecutor and by ICE.
- Tell your lawyer your status immediately. If they don't ask if you're a citizen, find a new lawyer. A firm like JZ Law Firm needs to know if you're on a visa, have a green card, or are undocumented to protect you.
- Don't sign anything. Never sign a "stipulated order of removal" or a plea deal until an immigration expert has reviewed it.
- Collect your documents. Keep your passport, I-94, and any immigration notices in a safe place where your family can find them.
The intersection of crime and immigration is a minefield. One wrong step can end a life you’ve spent years building. Working with a specialized firm ensures that someone is looking at the big picture—not just the immediate court date, but your ability to stay with your family in the years to come.
To protect your status, you must ensure your defense team is checking the specific language of any proposed plea against the most recent immigration case law. Gather every record of past police contact, even if the charges were dropped, as these will be scrutinized during your next USCIS interview or border crossing. If you have an upcoming hearing, prioritize securing a legal representative who can appear in both municipal and immigration courts to maintain a consistent defense strategy.