Watching TV, especially cop shows it is normal to see that when a person is arrested the policeman is duty bound to read him his ‘Miranda’ rights which go along the lines of ” You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?” In the states of Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona and additional warning is added saying ; ” If you are not a United States citizen, you may contact your country’s consulate prior to any questioning”.
But this is for arrests in criminal cases only. Here the state has a duty to give legal counsel for the defendant. There are a few helpful hints that you could look into if need be. This means that if you are an immigrant and you are caught up in a civil matter, such as being detained if you are indigent, you will probably have to speak for yourself in court. This is not satisfactory as most immigrants’ command of English and knowledge of US immigration law is poor.
A federal judge headed a study which published its findings in 2011 which, inter alia, concluded that immigrants appearing in court were six times more likely to lose their case if they did not have an attorney (Reported in the LA times Nov 8 2011) Detention is in fact a civil matter. The immigrant has been detained, pending an immigration hearing, not because he has enacted a crime, but since he does not have a fixed abode or sufficient income to support himself. Even if you are indigent and you are caught up in a detention it would be worth your while contacting Los Angeles Criminal Immigration Lawyer to spot if there is anything he can do for you. This Law firm is an expert at practicing all aspects of immigration law as well as criminal law. If you have already been tried in a criminal matter it is still worth your while researching to see if a Southern CA Post Conviction Relief Attorney can help you. This is specially the case where an immigrant has been convicted in a court case. Immigrants are known to inadequately understand English and the court appointed translator has to be a sworn translator. Furthermore it is often the case that the points of law in question are not well understood. If an immigrant is representing himself it is highly unlikely that he understands the legal ramifications of his case and is consequently at an obvious disadvantage and thus is likely to not to possess been treated to a fair hearing. The lawyer will listen to your situation and observe if there is anything he can do to assist you. At issue is ensuring that you, as a prospective immigrant get reasonably treated by the courts and the legal system.