Help! Trouble in Texas!!!

[redeone]

My husband, a conditional permanent resident, went to Mexico and bought 2 bottles of stanozolol (50mg/20ml each) and 1 vial of Dianabol (25mg/50ml) He was cought in Houston Tx. and was arrested. He is being charged with 2 misdemeanors and is scheduled to be in court on July 3rd. My question is what's the worst that can happen? Do you have any advice on our current situation?

 

[lawnsaver]

You better get a good imigration lawyer, because his green card might be in jeperdy.

 

[Krazzylad]

He'll live! Most likely a fine, and maybe community service

 

[lawnsaver]

I dont think imigration looks to favorable upon drug offenders.

 

[creep]

A lot depends on how long he's been a resident and long you two have been married. I know of legal residents who have been got with cocaine and didn't get deported. If this is his first offence, more than likely he'll walk away with probation, fines and community service. I know a very good lawyer who specializes in drug charges. His firm is in Dallas and has offices in El Paso and I think Huston. Send me a PM and I'll give you his name and number.

 

[dancer]

For those that dont know our (TX) legal system it aint no walk in the part... He is faced with 2 bond one regulare and one immigration. if he were to lose the case he would face deportation.

sorry honey

 

[ultragainz]

everything should be fine...if they kick him out of the country i think its sad cause its only roids he brought over...so get a good lawyer and check with what that "creep" guy is saying...he could have a good lawyer for you...and check out www.steroidlaw.com they might have some good tips there...they can also help call them if they got a number or send a e-mail..just keep your head up everything should be fine

 

[redeone]

Thanks y'all....
But I still accepted any comment!
don't mess with Texas...

 

[wartime100]

How did he get busted?

 

[scott825]

These things will be important in his case.

Do the 2 of you have any children?

How long has he been a resident & since then has he been a productive member of society?

Has he ever been arrested for anything ever before?

When he got caught with the roids was it by Customs or did he get arrested for something else?

 

[OVRTrainer]

everything should be fine...if they kick him out of the country i think its sad cause its only roids he brought over...so get a good lawyer and check with what that "creep" guy is saying...he could have a good lawyer for you...and check out www.steroidlaw.com they might have some good tips there...they can also help call them if they got a number or send a e-mail..just keep your head up everything should be fine

Yes rodeone...this is good advice. You can get the number for attorney Rick Collins from that site. He is the proabably the most knowledgeable attorney in the country with regard to AAS and may have some valuable advice for you. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and do NOT CONSENT to a search. Good luck!

 

[WeeMan]

A friend of mine was from Mexico City, he lived in Houston from the time he was 10yrs old he married a white girl he dated at Westfield HS in Houston They got married at 18 had 2 kids and he worked for my dad. Until he was like 24. THEN..... him and his wife split up. He started drinking one night called her up left a message saying if he didnt get to see there kids he was gonna beat the crap out of her (which he never really would have done) anyways she called the cops thinking he would spend the night in jail or they would scare him. This guy was the nicest funniest guy ever and they charged him and put him in jail for like a week then they let him go AS soon as he walked out of the Harris County Jail boom INS grabbed him up and kept him in jail for 1.5 yrs on some deportation law didnt deport him just kept him there it was awful he had like 3 different lawyers try to get him out and couldnt finally they let him go and anyways to make a long story short he screwed my dad by not comming back to work for him and never paid him back for the lawyers but ohhh well he couldnt of afforded it anyways. I dont know what his criminal history was before but he told me he had been in the county jail ONE time before and that was overnight the summer after his senior year for some stupid crap. I dont mean to sound negative ecspecially since it was your husband and all I would definetly get the BEST lawyer you can find and I would have rather been deported back to Mex ASAP rather than been locked up for a year. or even a month IMO. Anyways sorry to ramble on but I just feel for ya get a good lawyer asap tell him not to talk to anyone at all no matter what without a lawyer.

WeeMan

 

[lawnsaver]

The bottom line is: Dont say anything!! Talk with a good lawyer!!

 

[nycdefender]

You need to hire two lawyers, one for the criminal case and one for the immigration. Although Rick Collins is a great lawyer, he's not admitted in Texas (as far as I know). If you want a great lawyer, George "Mac" Secrest, is one of the best in Texas. He was an adjunct professor of mine in law school. His office is in Houston.
As for the immigration issue, I assume you are saying that your husband is a lawful permanent resident (LPR is the acronym immigration lawyers use). An LPR is deportable for any violation of law relating to a controlled substance (other than a single offense of simple possession of 30g or less of marijuana), whether a felony or a misdemeanor. See INA 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II). Another basis for removal may be if there is evidence of drug trafficking, even if there is no conviction. See Matter of Rico, 16 I&N Dec. 181 (BIA 1977), INA 212(a)(2)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(C). For purposes of the statutes, a "controlled substance" includes those substances included in the five federal schedules of controlled substances published at 21 U.S.C. 812 (that includes steroids).

Besides removal, your husband may be denied reentry to the U.S. should he travel abroad. The same offense will bar him from becoming a U.S. citizen for five years.

Although the information I have given you is grim, I hope this information helps you.

 

[nycdefender]

Let me also add, there are some forms of relief for LPR, so even if your husband receives removal status, an immigration lawyer has certain avenues to avoid deportation such as an order of Cancellation of Removal for certain LPR's who are deportable based on a non-aggravated felony criminal disposition. Your husband could be a qualified LPR if he has been an LPR for at least five years by the time of his removal hearing. Your husband will also have to show that he has resided in the U.S. continuously for more than seven years after lawful admission. The grant of cancellation of removal relief is discretionary. Your husband will have to show that he has a long residence in the U.S., close family w/ lawful status in the U.S., his deportation would be a hardship to himself and his family, if he has served any time in the U.S. armed forces, history of employment, existence of property ties in the U.S., evidence of value and service to the community, and proof of genuine rehabilitation. Your husband doesn't have to show all of the factors, but the more factors, the better.

 

[HUCKLEBERRY FINNaplex]

NYC defender=Defender of the Iron Brotherhood.CyberA/S could use your expertise right about now my legal expert friend,hehheh.

 

[redeone]

Thanks everyone! NYCDEFENDER, thanks for all the information. Do you really think we should be worried about deportation? My husband has a clean record, He's been in the US for 4years and we've been married 3years. He is a responsible individual. We've never been in trouble and I don't know how long do these things take in court. Our nerves can't take much more!!

One more thing, How do you know a good attorney from a bad? We received about 4 letters from attorneys . 1 out of 4 was board certified do you . How much do you think this mess could end up costing us? Thanks again

 

[lawnsaver]

Interview, its free. You have to feel comfortable with him or her. I changed my lawyer 2 times before I felt like I had someone who would fight for me!! Good luck!

 

[nycdefender]

Redeone, I'm sorry if my advice is going to exaserbate your already jangled nerves, but, yes, you must worry about deportation.

As for how to find out if someone is a good attorney, you will only find out by word of mouth. I agree with Lawnsaver that you could do an interview, but I would not stop there. [I will note that I'm highly suspicious of attorneys who send unsolicited letters.] Check with the Texas Bar to see if any meritorious claims have been filed against the attorney.
I have already suggested one outstanding attorney, "Mac" Secrest. If I were being tried for murder, I'd want him as my attorney. Rusty Hanes (or Haines) is also very good. I had the pleasure of speaking with him a couple of times. You will have to pay through the nose for either one of those attorneys, but your husband should just consider it as the costs of engaging in his hobby.
In Texas, attorneys can be board certified in certain areas of the law. If I were choosing an attorney, I would prefer one who is board certified. But being certified is no big deal. You just take a test and have been practicing law for 5 years to become board certified. You really need to ask many people about their experiences with lawyers.

You might also try the legal clinic at the Univ. of Houston to see who they might refer you to.