Being arrested or charged with a crime can turn your life upside down in a moment. If you are not a United States citizen, every decision in your criminal case can also affect your immigration status and your ability to stay with your family. You should not have to face all of this alone.
At Terezakis Law Firm, we defend people accused of crimes and we pay close attention to how each case can affect immigration status, green cards, and future applications for citizenship. Our firm has represented immigrants and their families across Long Island since 1995. George A. Terezakis brings more than 35 years of legal experience to every matter.
We understand the courts that handle cases for people living in Floral Park and nearby communities, and we know how stressful it is to worry about both criminal consequences and deportation. Our bilingual team communicates in Spanish and English, and our goal is to give you clear information and a practical plan. To talk about your situation confidentially, you can call us at (516) 550-5323.
Protect your future—speak with a criminal defense attorney in Floral Park who understands both criminal and immigration law. Call (516) 550-5323 today or reach out online.
Many firms handle criminal cases. Fewer understand how a single plea or conviction can change a person’s entire immigration future. Our firm focuses on both criminal defense and immigration law, so we look at the whole picture before advising you on any decision. This approach is especially important for permanent residents, visa holders, and people without status.
When you come to us, we review the criminal charges, your immigration history, and your goals in the United States. We then work to identify outcomes that reduce the risk of detention or removal whenever possible. Our criminal defense attorneys in Floral Park do not treat immigration consequences as an afterthought. They are a central part of how we evaluate any offer from the prosecution.
Communication is just as important as legal strategy. Our bilingual staff speaks Spanish and English, which helps our clients and their families fully understand what is happening in court and what choices they face. Misunderstandings can be costly. We strive to make sure you can ask questions in the language you are most comfortable using and receive clear answers.
Every case with our firm is supported by both an attorney and a paralegal. This structure helps us stay organized, respond to calls, and prepare documents and filings in a timely way. It also means you have more than one person familiar with your case details. Clients often find this reassuring when court dates or immigration deadlines arrive quickly.
Other lawyers and professional legal organizations regularly turn to us when cases raise difficult immigration law questions. Our firm is known for handling matters that involve complex intersections between criminal charges and removal risks. For clients, this means you are working with a team that has spent decades focused on the very problems you are facing now, not learning them for the first time.
People who live in or around Floral Park can be charged in several different courts, including Nassau County Court in Mineola and Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens. We defend clients in a wide range of state criminal cases that may start in these courts or in local village or district courts. Our work covers both lower level charges and more serious accusations.
We commonly assist clients facing allegations involving driving while intoxicated or related traffic crimes, drug possession or sale accusations, theft and property offenses, and assault or domestic related charges. Some clients also come to us with fraud or other financial crime investigations that may affect professional licenses and immigration eligibility.
Certain categories of offenses create especially serious immigration problems, including some controlled substance offenses and crimes that may be considered crimes involving moral turpitude. We take time to explain when a particular type of charge could prevent a person from getting a green card or citizenship in the future. We then work to seek resolutions that reduce these risks when the law allows.
For many people in this area, the first contact with the system is a desk appearance ticket or a summons to appear in a local court. Others are taken into custody and must appear before a judge in Nassau or Queens. No matter how your case begins, we aim to help you understand which court you must attend and what to expect there.
Examples of criminal cases we handle include:
For many of our clients, the greatest fear is not just jail or fines. It is being separated from their spouse, children, or parents because of a criminal case. Immigration law can treat some convictions very harshly. In some situations, even a plea to a reduced offense can lead to detention or removal proceedings.
When you meet with us, we look carefully at your current status, such as whether you are a permanent resident, have a visa, have DACA, or have no current status. We also ask about prior entries, past applications, and any contact with immigration authorities. This information helps us identify which immigration rules might apply to your case.
After reviewing the criminal complaint and the evidence, we discuss both criminal and immigration consequences of different paths. For example, we may talk about how one type of plea could avoid a mandatory removal ground while another might put your future green card or naturalization at risk. Our goal is to help you make informed choices, not to pressure you into a quick decision.
Because our firm works in both criminal defense and immigration, we are able to coordinate strategies. If your case leads to immigration issues, such as a notice to appear in immigration court, we can advise you about possible defenses. For clients already in removal proceedings, we consider how the criminal matter may affect applications for relief.
Consider a common situation. A long time permanent resident in Floral Park is charged with a drug related offense in Nassau County Court. A plea that might seem acceptable to someone who is a United States citizen could put that resident at high risk of deportation. By reviewing both sets of laws together, we work to seek resolutions that protect the client’s ability to remain here whenever the law and facts allow.
After an arrest, it is natural to feel pressure from police, worry about work, and fear for your family. In this moment, the steps you take can affect both your criminal case and any future immigration issues. You do not have to answer questions about the incident without speaking to a lawyer first.
We encourage people to remain polite with officers but to clearly state that they wish to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney. This right can apply whether you were stopped on Jericho Turnpike, at home, or anywhere else in Nassau or Queens. Saying less in the beginning often gives your lawyer more options later.
Family members can also play an important role. If a loved one is being held after an arrest, relatives can gather documents such as passports, green cards, prior immigration applications, and any court papers. Bringing these materials to an initial meeting helps us quickly see how the criminal case and immigration history fit together.
At an initial consultation, we typically review the accusations, discuss where the case is being heard, and ask about your immigration background. We then talk through possible next steps and immediate concerns, such as upcoming court dates or bond issues. Our goal in that first meeting is to give you a clearer sense of what to expect and how we can help.
Right after an arrest, it can help to:
A criminal charge can affect immigration status, but how it does depends on the type of offense, your current status, and your history. Some convictions create very serious risks. We review both your case and your immigration background so we can explain the specific dangers you face.
We recommend contacting us as soon as possible after an arrest or when you learn of an investigation. Early involvement allows us to help protect your rights, guide what you say, and begin considering immigration consequences before important decisions are made in court.
Yes. Our team includes bilingual staff who speak Spanish and English. We can discuss your case in Spanish, help your family understand what is happening, and translate important information so nothing is missed because of language barriers during this stressful time.
Yes. We regularly represent clients in Nassau County Court in Mineola, Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens, and other courts that hear cases involving residents of Floral Park and surrounding communities. Our familiarity with these courts helps us guide you through local procedures.
At our first meeting, we usually review the charges, ask about your immigration status and history, and discuss what has happened so far. We then outline possible next steps and answer your questions. The goal is to give you a clearer picture of your situation and options.
When you hire our firm, we guide you through each stage of the process. We begin with a careful review of the charges, the police reports, and any other discovery we receive from the prosecution. We also take time to hear your account of what happened and any background that may affect your case.
Next, we evaluate the strength of the evidence and identify possible defenses or weaknesses. We consider issues such as how evidence was obtained, whether your rights were respected, and how witnesses or police may be challenged in court. At every point, we keep in mind the specific immigration consequences that different outcomes might create.
We then speak with you about realistic options, such as challenging the charges, negotiating for reduced counts, or considering other resolutions. Our criminal defense attorneys work to explain, in plain language, how each choice may affect your record, your status in the United States, and your family. Decisions always remain with you. Our role is to provide guidance based on decades of experience with similar cases.
Throughout your case, our team keeps you informed about court dates in Nassau County Court, Queens Criminal Court, or any other court where you must appear. Because each matter is supported by both an attorney and a paralegal, we are better able to respond to questions and help you prepare for hearings. For many clients from Floral Park and nearby areas, knowing that someone is walking with them through each step offers real peace of mind.
If you are searching for a criminal defense attorney in Floral Park that residents can turn to when immigration status is at stake, we invite you to speak with us directly. A conversation with our team can help you understand your options and start building a strategy that protects as much of your future as possible. To schedule a consultation, call (516) 550-5323.
Don’t face charges alone as an immigrant or noncitizen. Contact us online today or call (516) 550-5323 to work with our trusted Floral Park criminal defense attorney.
They really care for their clients and their families and they take on some of the most difficult cases I have seen and have been successful.
- Monica P.
Providing legal services to immigrants and their families throughout Nassau County.