George Terezakis

In nearly 30 years as a defense attorney, neither I, nor any attorney working with me, has ever recommended a client of mine plead guilty to a serious crime, at the client’s first court appearance. I handle most of the appearances involving my clients’ criminal cases myself, although an experienced attorney working under my supervision may make a preliminary, appearance on my behalf. I always, review with my clients the risks and benefits of accepting a plea bargain versus going to trial, including the immigration consequences of any guilty plea. I have always warned my clients of the immigration consequences of any guilty plea - long before defense attorneys were required to do so. In nearly every felony case, and most misdemeanors, I am the attorney who appears with my client at their first appearance. On the rare occasion where a scheduling conflict prevents me from appearing with a client at their first appearance –I tell the client of this before they retain me. Before any defendant can plead guilty, they are first questioned by a Judge who explains the crime they are pleading guilty to and the important rights they give up by pleading guilty, instead of going to trial. They are also asked whether they are satisfied with their attorney’s representation. The client is then asked to explain what they did that makes them guilty - all before pleading guilty. Neither I nor any attorney who works with me has ever forced a client to plead guilty. In fact, we often advise our clients to reject an initial plea offer that would cause immigration problems, because we can frequently negotiate an alternate plea that avoids those problems. If that is not possible, we discuss the risks of going to trial, and will go to trial, if necessary. Our clients always make an informed choice, but in the end, the decision to plead guilty or go to trial is theirs alone to make. I cannot believe one of my clients would plead guilty to a crime at their first appearance, and I cannot believe they were not warned of the immigration consequences of their plea. It seems the person is either leaving out relevant information or not accurately reporting what happened. Please call my office: I would like to speak with you, because this is the first I am hearing of your complaint.