A lot of people think the same thing when they get a court date: I do not need an attorney for this. It is small. I will go in, handle it, and move on with my life.

That belief is one of the most costly mistakes a person can make, because criminal cases can absolutely affect the immigration benefits you apply for later. Attorney Kamala Sessoms hears these misconceptions constantly, so she broke down three of the most common ones — separating what is fact from what is fiction.

Can a Criminal Case Really Affect Your Immigration Status?

Yes. Any case in court, from a traffic ticket to a more serious charge, can have consequences for your current or future immigration case.

It does not matter whether your case is in municipal court, state court, or superior court. What happens in that courtroom can follow you into an immigration application years down the road. That is why the decisions you make before you ever walk in — especially the decision of whether to consult an attorney — carry so much weight.

Myth 1: “If I Plead Guilty Today, It Is Over Today”

Fiction. There are only a very small number of cases where pleading guilty ends the matter that same day. In most cases, it does not.

Many people walk into court thinking they can plead guilty, get it resolved, and never think about it again. But even something as simple as a speeding ticket carries consequences beyond that day. You are likely looking at points on your driving record, and you will still have to pay a fine.

And there is a complication people do not anticipate. Some people are not able to pay the fine immediately, and when that happens, they can be placed on probation. Being placed on probation for any case is significant, because probation itself can carry immigration consequences.

So no, it is not over on the day you plead guilty. In most cases, that is the day it begins.

Myth 2: “It Is Only a Minor Charge, So I Do Not Need an Attorney”

Fiction. Even a minor charge handled without an attorney can result in detention years later — and Attorney Sessoms has seen exactly that happen.

One of her clients is a lawful permanent resident who had an issue involving Medicaid and Medicare. When she applied for coverage for her daughter, she did not report her income. Some time later, she received a letter in the mail telling her to report to the jail on charges.

She did everything she thought she was supposed to do. She reported to the jail. She paid the bond. She was never arrested and never had handcuffs put on her. Then she went to court — speaking only with the judge and the prosecutor — and pleaded guilty. She never consulted a criminal attorney or an immigration attorney at any point.

Here is what happened next. She traveled outside the country. When she returned, Customs and Border Protection stopped her at entry and took her into custody. Attorney Sessoms was only able to get her out of jail after months of detention and after taking her case to trial.

All of that happened because she decided to go to court without talking to an attorney first.

Myth 3: “A Small Charge Will Not Stay on My Record”

Fiction. Everything creates a record in the United States, and some charges stay on your record forever.

There are multiple systems in this country tracking different parts of your life. There is a record of how you drive. There is your criminal record. There is your employment record and your credit record. Anything you do is going to live on some form of record somewhere.

If you are assuming a minor charge will quietly disappear, understand that it may not. Some of these charges will stay with you for the rest of your life — and they will be there waiting when you apply for an immigration benefit.

How Sessoms Law Group Can Help

If you are facing any kind of charge, no matter how small it seems, talk to an attorney before you go to court. Not after. The cost of a consultation is nothing compared to months in detention and a trial to undo a guilty plea you entered without advice.

Sessoms Law Group handles both criminal defense and immigration, which means we can look at your case from both sides and tell you what a plea could mean for your status before you agree to anything. Our team speaks Spanish, and we are here to help.

Do not try to resolve a legal matter on your own. Call us at 404-315-7222 or contact us to talk through your situation and understand your options.