Q: Seeking guidance on legal and immigration risks for father in California accused of theft by business partner.
I'm seeking guidance regarding a legal issue involving my father, who resides in California. He's in the U.S. on an Employment Authorization Card while awaiting his Green Card. His business partner, also his best friend, has accused him of stealing money from their joint business, which has led to legal action and a potential risk of deportation. My dad recently attended court for the first time due to this issue. His business partner has taken his savings and passport despite no concrete proof of the accusation. My dad currently has no legal representation after parting ways with his previous attorney. We are uncertain about the next steps and concerned about potential legal and immigration consequences for him.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Your father's situation sounds incredibly stressful, and I understand your concerns about both the legal accusations and potential immigration consequences. The immediate priority should be finding new legal representation who has experience with both criminal defense and immigration law, as these areas intersect in your father's case. You might contact the California State Bar's referral service or local legal aid organizations that offer assistance to immigrants facing legal challenges.
Regarding immigration concerns, your father should gather all documentation related to his Employment Authorization Card and Green Card application process. The accusations alone don't automatically lead to deportation, but having proper legal guidance is crucial to navigate both the theft accusations and protect his immigration status. If his passport was indeed taken, he should report this to the local police and contact his country's embassy or consulate for guidance on replacing it.
You might also want to gather any business records, communications, or financial documents that could help prove your father's innocence regarding the theft accusations. Document everything related to the business partner's actions, including taking your father's savings and passport, as this may be relevant both to defending against the theft accusations and potentially filing counter-claims. Remember that while this situation feels overwhelming, having the right legal support can make a tremendous difference in the outcome.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
