If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a crime in Valley Stream, you may be worried about more than fines or jail. For immigrants, any criminal case can threaten immigration status, work, and the ability to remain with family. You need a criminal defense attorney in Valley Stream who understands how these systems connect and who can guide you through both.
At Terezakis Law Firm, we have focused on helping immigrants and their families on Long Island since 1995. Our founder, George A. Terezakis, has more than 35 years of experience in criminal defense and immigration matters. We use that experience to evaluate both the criminal charges and the possible immigration consequences, so you can make informed decisions at every step.
Our team is fluent in Spanish and English, and we assign both an attorney and a paralegal to each case so clients receive clear communication and consistent support. If you are facing charges in this area and are unsure what to do next, we are ready to talk with you about your options and your future.
Connect today with a trusted criminal defense lawyer in Valley Stream—reach out online or call (516) 550-5323 for bilingual criminal and immigration support.
When an immigrant is arrested, the case does not end with the criminal court. A plea or conviction can affect a green card, a pending application, or a future plan to apply for citizenship. In some situations, it can trigger detention by immigration authorities or removal proceedings. Choices that may seem minor in criminal court can carry serious immigration risks if they are not analyzed carefully.
Many people do not realize that different types of offenses are treated very differently under immigration law. For example, some misdemeanors can create more immigration problems than certain felonies, and a sentence of a particular length can change how a conviction is viewed. A lawyer who focuses only on criminal law may resolve the court case in a way that appears acceptable, but that resolution might harm immigration status or future options.
We work to prevent that situation. Our firm evaluates the criminal charges and the possible immigration effects together, from the first meeting. We look at what the government is alleging, what the evidence appears to show, and how different outcomes could affect your right to remain in the United States. Professional legal organizations consult our criminal defense attorneys in Valley Stream for training on these issues, and we bring that same level of careful analysis to each client’s case.
From the moment you contact us, our goal is to understand your full situation, not just the current charge. We look at your immigration history, family circumstances, and any prior contact with the criminal justice system. This helps us see the full picture and identify risks and opportunities that may not be obvious from the criminal complaint alone.
Each case is handled by an attorney and a paralegal who work together so you always know who is managing your file and who to contact with questions. We review police reports and other available documents, discuss your version of events in detail, and explain how the law may apply. We also talk about your immigration status, including whether you have a green card, a pending application, temporary protection, or no current status.
Once we understand the facts and your immigration situation, we can start to discuss possible strategies. These may include challenging the government’s evidence, exploring alternative charges that carry fewer immigration risks, or considering options that may allow you to move forward with less impact on your family. Throughout this process, we keep you informed in clear, everyday language. If Spanish is more comfortable for you or your relatives, our bilingual team can communicate directly in Spanish so nothing important is lost in translation.
Most arrests that happen in or around Valley Stream are handled through the courts in Nassau County. The exact court that hears a case depends on factors such as the type of charge and where the incident took place. We work with clients whose cases arise from this community and other parts of Long Island, so we understand how local procedures and scheduling usually work.
Clients from Valley Stream come to us with a wide range of charges. These may include allegations related to driving, such as unlicensed operation or driving while impaired, as well as accusations involving family disputes, property offenses, or controlled substances. For immigrants, even a case that many people view as minor can carry serious immigration consequences if it is not handled with care.
Because we have served immigrants and their families on Long Island for many years, we are familiar with the courts that typically hear cases from this area and the practical issues that can arise. We work to prepare clients for what to expect at court appearances, how long a case may take, and what documents or information they should bring. Our office is positioned to serve people who live or work in Valley Stream and nearby communities, so it is practical to meet with us when you need to.
For many of our clients, the most painful fear is not only a possible sentence, but the possibility of being separated from loved ones. We understand that criminal and immigration law issues are often intertwined with work, children, and family members who depend on you. That is why we look at each criminal case through the lens of long-term family unity.
Our firm regularly assists clients with both criminal cases and related immigration matters, such as green card applications, naturalization, and deportation defense. When we evaluate potential outcomes in a criminal case, we also consider how each option may affect those processes. For example, we look at whether a certain type of conviction could make you ineligible for a future application, or whether a particular sentence could increase the risk of immigration detention.
We keep communication open with family members when appropriate, especially when language or unfamiliarity with the system creates additional stress. Spanish-speaking relatives can speak with us directly in their own language. Our aim is to help you and your family understand what is happening, why certain choices matter, and how decisions made today may affect your ability to remain together in the future.
If you or a loved one has just been arrested or charged in Valley Stream or nearby, the situation can feel confusing and urgent. Taking a few careful steps early can make a meaningful difference in how the case develops. One of the most important steps is to avoid saying more than necessary to law enforcement before you speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Valley Stream.
You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a criminal defense attorney. in Valley Stream. It is usually wise to use those rights. Politely stating that you wish to speak with a lawyer before answering questions can protect you from statements that might be misunderstood or used against you later. This is especially important when English is not your first language, since small misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
It is also important not to sign documents, accept a quick plea, or make agreements about your case without legal advice. A resolution that seems simple or convenient in the moment can carry unexpected immigration consequences. When you contact Terezakis Law Firm, we can review the charges, help you understand what the government is claiming, and talk through both the criminal and immigration effects of different choices.
Selecting a lawyer is a significant decision, particularly when the outcome of a criminal case may affect your right to stay in the United States. You may find it helpful to ask any criminal defense lawyer in Valley Stream how they evaluate immigration consequences and how often they represent immigrants. Clear answers to those questions can help you see whether the lawyer’s approach fits your situation.
At Terezakis Law Firm, we have represented immigrants and their families on Long Island since 1995. Our founder’s 35 years of experience give our team a long view of how criminal convictions can affect immigration options over time. We draw on that experience to look beyond the immediate case and consider what a particular outcome might mean for a green card, naturalization, or a pending application.
Our firm is bilingual, and we assign an attorney and a paralegal to every case so clients receive attentive support and understandable updates. We are well regarded in the legal community, and other attorneys refer difficult matters to us when criminal and immigration issues combine in complicated ways. When you work with us, you receive the benefit of that background, along with direct communication about your options and possible next steps.
A criminal charge can affect immigration status, but the impact depends on the type of offense, the evidence, and the final outcome of the case. Some charges and convictions may make a person removable or may block certain forms of relief, while others may have less effect. The length of any sentence and the specific wording of a plea can also matter under immigration law. When we meet with you, we review the charges and your immigration history together so we can explain what risks you may face. Our goal is to help you understand where you stand and what options might reduce immigration harm.
For immigrants, it is usually very important to work with a criminal defense attorney in Valley Stream who can also analyze immigration consequences. A lawyer who focuses only on the criminal court may resolve the case in a way that looks acceptable in that system, yet that same outcome could create serious problems for your status or future applications. Because immigration law treats certain offenses very differently from others, the details of the case and the plea matter. Our firm combines criminal defense and immigration work, so we review both aspects at the same time. This approach helps you avoid choices that could harm your ability to stay in the country with your family.
Yes. We regularly represent people whose cases begin with an arrest or charge in Valley Stream and other parts of Nassau County. The specific court that hears your case will depend on the nature of the allegations, but our team is familiar with the local courts on Long Island that handle these matters. We can explain where your case is likely to be heard, what to expect at upcoming appearances, and how timelines often work in this area. From there, we can focus on protecting both your criminal record and your immigration status as the case moves forward.
Yes. Our team includes bilingual staff who speak Spanish and English, so you can talk with us in the language that feels most natural to you. Clear communication is essential in criminal and immigration cases, and we want you to be comfortable asking questions and describing what happened. When you understand what is happening in your case, you are better able to make informed decisions about your future. We can also speak with Spanish-speaking family members, which often helps reduce stress for the entire household.
Before your first meeting, it is helpful to gather any documents you have related to your case and immigration history. This may include charging papers, notices from the court, any documents from immigration authorities, and copies of prior applications or decisions if you have them. You do not need to organize everything perfectly, but bringing these items can help us understand your situation more quickly. During the meeting, we will ask about the events leading to the charge, your time in the United States, and any past contact with criminal or immigration systems. With that information, we can begin to discuss possible strategies and next steps.
We understand that a criminal case affects the entire family, especially when immigration status is involved. Our attorney and paralegal team work together to keep you informed and, when appropriate, to communicate with close family members who are helping you manage the case. We can explain court dates, likely timelines, and how certain decisions may affect your loved ones. For many clients, having a point of contact who speaks Spanish is particularly important, and our bilingual staff can fill that role. Our aim is to provide enough information and guidance so you and your family can face the process with greater clarity.
In many situations, we can review a past criminal case to assess how it may affect current or future immigration matters. The options available depend on factors such as the exact conviction, the sentence, and how long ago the case was resolved. Sometimes, people come to us after learning that an old conviction is creating a problem for an application or has led to contact with immigration authorities. We can look at the court records and your immigration history to see what steps might be possible. While we cannot promise a particular outcome, our experience with both criminal and immigration law allows us to provide informed guidance in these complex situations.
If you are facing a criminal charge in Valley Stream or elsewhere on Long Island and you have concerns about your immigration status, it is important to get advice that covers both areas of law. Speaking with a criminal defense lawyer in Valley Stream early can help you avoid choices that carry unexpected immigration consequences and can give you a clearer sense of what to expect in the courts.
At Terezakis Law Firm, we bring nearly 30 years of practice to the representation of immigrants and their families. We combine criminal defense and immigration analysis, we are bilingual in Spanish and English, and we assign an attorney and a paralegal to each case so you receive informed and consistent support. When you contact us, we will talk with you about your situation, review your documents, and explain how we may be able to help.
To discuss your criminal case and its possible immigration impact, call (516) 550-5323 or reach out online to speak with our Valley Stream 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.