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J. Christopher Llinas
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About J. Christopher
Biography
J. Christopher ("Chris") Llinas graduated from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law) in 1997, clerked from Justice Leigh I. Saufley of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and, over the years, has worked as a legal aid lawyer, public defender, state's attorney, in-house corporate counsel, and private criminal defense attorney. With over 28 years of experience in the courtroom and boardroom, and over 100 jury trials and 45 appeals under his belt, Chris has established a strong and successful track record of experience before the DMV, trial courts, and appellate courts, first in Maryland and now in Connecticut. As well, since moving to Connectictut in 2017, Chris has established himself as a strong advocate in the realm of "crimmigration," where criminal law and immigration law intersect, defending immigrants in criminal and DUI matters in both state and federal courts, and also in removal matters before the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the US Courts of Appeal for the First and Second Circuits in Boston and New York City.
Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.
Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.
Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.
Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts. Beyond that, I serve as the Connecticut State Delegate for the National College of DUI Defense.
Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
35%
DUI and DWI
35%
Immigration
20%
Appeals
10%
Fees and Rates
Awards
2025 2024 2023
...
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1
Licenses
Licensed in Connecticut for 8 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 2017
Licensed in Maryland for 11 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2014
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2007. Returned to good standing in 2014
Location
Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration
(860) 815-8654
Mobile
(860) 899-1190
Fax
213 Court Street, Suite 604, Middletown, CT, 06457
ironchris.comOnline Presence
Other places you can find J. Christopher online.
J. Christopher Llinas's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 51 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Matt | November 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
10/10 Iron Chris Defense
Chris, Cheryl and his legal team handled my case with attentiveness and professionalism. They communicated throughout the process, explained every question I had at all hours of the day, and predicted and achieved a favorable outcome. I appreciate their diligence and would recommend to anyone looking...
Posted by anonymous | October 7, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Representation from Start to Finish.
We had a complicated case and were hesitant to trust anyone. Then we came across Attorney Chris Llinas and our only regret is not hiring him sooner. From the start, Chris was efficient, effective, and clearly on top of his game. He’s straightforward, honest, and communicates exceptionally well throug...
Posted by anonymous | August 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent communication
Great communication skills, kept us informed throughout the entire process.
Posted by graham | August 1, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
DUI Consequences
Christopher treated our consultation like paid hours. He was extremely helpful and provided me with tons of information. I already feel SO much better about my issues. He treated me like a client of many years during our chat. Kind, caring and empathetic. We had some great talks about life too! I hig...
Posted by Jose | July 3, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Very proffessional attorney
J Christopher Linas represented me throughout my whole entire Federal criminal case process which was taken to a Jury trial on July 2025 which he won. he fought very hard against the U.S government acusing me of serious charges from conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled...
J. Christopher Llinas's Lawyer Endorsements
"For years I have known Chris, who is a very knowledgable and able advocate. He also has an infectiously positive spirit, which clearly helps his both in and out of court. I recommend Chris's services."
"Chris is one of the more intelligent and thoughtful criminal defense attorneys in our community. His experience doing appellate work complements his criminal defense practice by keeping him abreast of the latest developments in the law. He always goes the extra mile for his clients and gets solid results for them."
"Chris provides strong case analysis for his clients involving both case law and statute defenses that give them a strong advocate in their corner."
Richard Brueckner
Criminal defense lawyer
John Phoebus
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer returned to good standing in 2014.
Reinstated from Disbarment issued in MD, 2014
updated on 09/27/2016After being disbarred, a former attorney may apply for reinstatement. He or she must comply with all readmission requirements from the Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland.
Disbarment by Consent issued in MD, 2007
updated on 07/05/2016This means the attorney agreed to the charge of disbarment in order to avoid a formal hearing. "Disbarment" is the most serious penalty for a lawyer.
J. Christopher’s comment:
“Practiced criminal, DUI, and appellate law from 1999-2006, worked in a corporate setting from 2006-2014, and earned reinstatement to the Bar in 2014. If you want to know the story behind what happened, feel free to ask. I am a far better lawyer for the experience.”
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Owner/Lead Attorney, Llinas Law Immigration & Criminal Defense
2015 - 2017
Solo Practitioner, J. Christopher Llinas, Attorney at Law
2007 - 2015
Corporate Counsel, Royal Plus Inc.
2003 - 2006
Solo Practitioner, J. Christopher Llinas, P.A.
2003 - 2005
Professor, Salisbury University
2002 - 2003
Assistant State's Attorney, Worcester County State's Attorney's Office
1999 - 2002
Assistant Public Defender, Maryland Office Of The Public Defender
1998 - 1999
Legal Aid Attorney, Pine Tree Legal Assistance
1997 - 1998
Clerk to Justice Leigh Saufley, Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Associations
2022 - Present
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationExecutive Board Member
2021 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Connecticut Chapter)Chair, DMV Committee
2019 - Present
Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the First CircuitMember
2019 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the First CircuitMember
2018 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (New England Chapter)Member
2018 - Present
Admitted to the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) otherwise known as the Immigration Courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)Member
2018 - Present
United States District Court for the District of ConnecticutMember
2018 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitMember
2018 - Present
Executive Office of Immigration ReviewMember
2018 - Present
Board of Immigration AppealsMember
2018 - Present
Admitted to United States District Court for District of ConnecticutMember
2018 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseConnecticut State Delegate
2017 - Present
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2017 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Connecticut Chapter)Treasurer
2017 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2016 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseMember
2015 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2014 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Budget Committee Member
2018 - 2018
Admitted to United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitMember
1999 - 2006
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
1999 - 2006
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1999 - 2006
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' AssociationMember
1999 - 2006
Worcester County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Al Amiri v. Rosen, 953 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2021)
Immigration Court and BIA decisions denying asylum claim vacated; Case remanded for further proceedings
Education
1997
Franklin Pierce Law Center
JD - Juris Doctor
1989
Salisbury University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I become a US citizen with trespassing misdemeanor?
04 Apr 2023
Q&A
If I plea not guilty to a Dwi charge and they set a trial date in superior court can I check myself into rehab before the trial?
05 Apr 2023
Q&A
How is my license suspended if I have never had one?
01 Apr 2023