Fairfax crimmigration risks may increase with governor’s funding threat, says Virginia criminal lawyer

Fairfax crimmigration risks may increase with the state governor’s recent threat of withholding funding from jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration authorities. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I recognize that the governor’s proposed budget may or may not get legislative passage for funding to be “withheld from localities that purport to be ‘sanctuary’ cities or enact practices impeding cooperation with ICE,” but that the governor may also endeavor to find executive power opportunities to reach the same goal in at least some respects. The neighboring county southwest of me claims to be working with immigration authorities. The Fairfax sheriff, who runs the county jail, says: “Our policy clearly states that the Sheriff’s Office will detain any individual who has a judicial warrant authorizing their arrest, including a judicial immigration warrant. The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office will not detain an individual based on an informal request or detainer.” The practical effect of this includes that the after-hours jail visiting booth previously reserved for federal immigration authorities to speak with inmates — I take it often without an attorney for them — is now simply used as one of the visiting booths for meeting with defendants’ lawyers.

Reducing Fairfax crimmigration risks at least acknowledges the large percentage of non-United States citizens in this county

Fairfax crimmigration risk reduction effectively acknowledges the large percentage of non-United States citizens in this county, to reduce their fear of adverse immigration consequences from reporting alleged crimes and from fully defending themselves in court. On top of that, the county’s chief prosecutor / Fairfax commonwealth attorney generally prohibits employees of his office from assisting federal agents with civil immigration law enforcement. Beyond that, with the county’s trust policy, “Fairfax County employees are… prohibited from providing information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status to federal immigration authorities unless required by law or court order.”

If you have an immigration detainer, seek the assistance of a qualified lawyer

If you have an immigration detainer against you, seek the assistance of a qualified lawyer, to advise you how to deal with the detainer, and to challenge the detainer’s legitimacy and enforceability. With this Fairfax crimmigration issue, ask your Fairfax criminal lawyer  /Virginia attorney the extent to which you should avoid paying your court bond/bail if you will still be held on an immigration detainer without receiving sentencing credit once you pay your bail.

Urge your Fairfax authorities not to bend to the governor’s pressure

With this Fairfax crimmigration issue, if you live in this county, please urge the county’s commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, and board of supervisors not to yield on this matter to the governor. Please tell them why you urge that approach. Please tell your friends and acquaintances of this vital action to take.

Fairfax criminal lawyer Jonathan Katz fully pursues your best defense against Virginia DUI, felony, and criminal prosecutions. Find out the great defense that Jon Katz can deliver for you through a free, in-person, strictly confidential consultation with Jon about your pending court case. Schedule your appointment with Jon Katz at 703-383-1100; info@BeatTheProsecution.com, and (text) 571-406-7268.