Immigration Attorney John E. MacDonald Featured Speaker for RI Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Events

PROVIDENCE, RI, January 28, 2011

On March 10 and March 16, 2011, Attorney John MacDonald will provide two Food for Thought seminars entitled The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions, in conjunction with the RI Bar Association's CLE program in coordination with the president of the Newport County Bar Association. The seminars will be available in Providence on the 10th, and in Middletown RI on the 16th, and will run from approximately 12:45PM to 1:45PM.

This session focuses on the possible consequences of criminal convictions upon non-citizens, and your duty to advise your client in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Padilla v. Kentucky. The immigration consequences of a criminal conviction may be far greater than any punishment of jail time, probation or a fine. This program will help you evaluate whether criminal conviction, diversion, or a plea will have an adverse affect on your client's immigration status and offer practical strategies for advising your client.

Attorney MacDonald stated, "My experience in Padilla v. Kentucky has given me an in depth understanding of the immigration implications involved in criminal matters. I am looking forward to speaking on this important topic again."

The case of Padilla v. Kentucky is a precedent setting Supreme Court case involving the rights of a criminal defendant to be informed regarding the possibility of deportation when entering into plea agreements, or being found guilty of all but the most minor criminal offenses. With the recent changes to the Immigration laws, private counsel is now in the position of having to inform criminal clients about the possibility of deportation in all but the most obscurely referenced Immigration laws. In all criminal cases involving immigrants, counsel must at least inform the client that the chance of deportation exists.

About The Law Offices of John E. MacDonald, Inc.

John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney practicing criminal defense, immigration law and post-conviction relief, and representing clients in state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. MacDonald is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School (1995) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Rhode Island (1990). He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also the author of the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Manual (3rd Edition), a top-rated manual used throughout the state by criminal defense attorneys, and the former president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Learn more about Aggressive Legal at http://www.AggressiveLegalServices.com

Contact Info:

John MacDonald
Aggressive Legal Services
1 Turks Head Place, Suite 1440
P.O. Box 1503
Providence, RI 02903
401-421-1440
401-421-1442
jm@jmaclaw.com
http:/www.AggressiveLegalServices.com