Assistance with a broad range of
immigration matters, such as visas, green cards, and citizenship, helping
clients navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law.
Handling cases at the federal level where
criminal charges intersect with immigration issues, providing expert legal
representation in complex federal cases involving both criminal and immigration
law.
Hear From our Clients
★★★★★5/5
Aleyna AyhopaGoogle
reviews
"My experience with Stern Law has been great. My lawyer Christina
Champagne and her team have been very attentive from the second she
took on my case in 2019. It was a priority of mine to still be able
to see my family overseas while waiting for my citizenship and she
found ways that worked for me and my situation to make that happen.
She then assisted me in obtaining my citizenship with ease. It was
worth every penny and I would highly recommend having Christina
handle your legal and immigration issues!!"
Priscilla
WilliamsGoogle
reviews
“My husband needed help on a criminal case and Stern Law was able to
give us the best possible outcome. When I first called, they showed
that they cared and listened to what I had to say without rushing me
off the phone. Christina was our attorney and she was also very
caring and explained the process very well. She helped dropped most
of the charges and it was a miracle how it happened. I recently made
a mistake thinking that our outcome wasn't best from some advise I
received from another attorney. But that attorney is who was
mistaken. Not Stern Law. Stern Law knows their stuff and I would
recommend them to anyone who needs help with immigration/criminal
cases”
Michael PlessGoogle
reviews
“They were awesome.. Very nice, professional, fast, attentive and
accommodating.. Communication was great. I had a very serious case.
My lawyer got my side and told me let her make some phone calls a
day later she said, great news. We resolved your case and you have
nothing else to worry about. I'm greatly satisfied and appreciative
of their service. Don't hesitate.”
Bond or Bail is basically a promise or contract with the Accused to come back to court “or else!”
In most cases, a Judge will determine an amount of money required for the release of the Accused
based on the
facts of the case, the person’s criminal history, and other factors. Upon payment of the set bond to
the
jail, the person will be released on conditions, with the primary condition being the promise to
return to
court for all remaining court dates. So long as all conditions are met, the bond amount paid will be
returned (minus a nominal fee) at the end of the case.
Bonds are set in amounts that are routinely too high to pay in full. Bonding companies typically
charge
12-15% of the overall bond as a fee to post the full amount. Disclaimer: Attorneys are not permitted
by
Georgia law and ethics to provide financial assistance or assume liability for a client’s bond.
This is an exciting time! If your petition is approved, you might have to leave the country to
undergo
“consular processing” before obtaining legal permanent residence, especially if you entered without
proper
inspection.
It can be very intimidating to attend an interview at the U.S. Consulate in your home country. Proper
legal
representation is essential to ensure you are fully prepared and to reduce the risk of denial.
This is common, especially if you moved from your previous address. If you did not update your
address with
immigration, you might have missed the notification and your court date.
To determine what is happening with your case, locate your Alien Number and call the Executive Office
for
Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline at 1-800-898-7180.
.
Arraignment is the first hearing after charges are initiated through an indictment or prosecutor’s
accusation. During arraignment, the judge reads the charges to the Accused (unless waived) and
confirms that
legal representation is in place.
The judge will typically require the Accused to sign the charging document and enter a plea of “Not
Guilty”
or “Guilty.”
Judges may also set deadlines for filing motions and other legal arguments, and sometimes trial dates
are
predetermined.
If your Green Card is still valid, you simply need to file Form I-90 with USCIS to replace it.
Probable Cause is a legal term that specifies the level of evidence required for a particular stage
of the
criminal process. It refers to the likelihood that a crime was committed and that the Accused is
responsible.
This standard is lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” requirement for conviction. It is
necessary for
police searches, arrests, and in many cases, for holding someone in custody pending prosecution. The
concept
is rooted in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The First Appearance Hearing is held within 42-72 hours after arrest. At this hearing, the government
must
demonstrate probable cause to hold the Accused for the alleged crime.
The judge informs the Accused of the charges and ensures that legal counsel is available—either
through
private hire or court-appointed. The judge then makes a determination regarding bond.
This hearing is typically brief and does not involve a discussion of guilt or innocence.
A person must see a Judge within a reasonable time after arrest to determine if there is probable
cause to
hold them for the alleged crime. Typically, if arrested without a warrant, a Judge must be seen
within 48
hours, and if arrested with a warrant, within 72 hours. This is generally known as the First
Appearance
Hearing.
If you have been contacted by law enforcement (usually a sergeant or detective) via phone or in
person, it
may indicate that you are a suspect or a witness in an investigation. It is essential to handle such
contact
very carefully.
Any statements you make could potentially be used against you. Alternatively, the officer might be
attempting
to locate you for further investigation. In any case, it is critical to consult with an attorney
before
engaging with law enforcement.
Plan a course of action with your lawyer rather than speaking with the officer directly.
After bonding out, you and your lawyer should immediately set goals and strategize for your case.
Using this
time effectively can give you an advantage in preparing your defense before the State brings your
case to
court.
Preliminary hearings in Georgia are often considered probable cause hearings. They typically occur at
least
two weeks after arrest or 1-2 months in areas with infrequent court calendars.
In some jurisdictions, a preliminary hearing will only be held if requested. If the Accused is
released on
bond or if a grand jury returns a true bill of indictment, the hearing may be waived.
An indictment is a formal charge that an Accused has committed a crime, decided by a grand jury
composed of
16 to 23 randomly selected citizens. The grand jury hears a basic presentation of the evidence,
often from
the arresting officer, and if convinced there is enough evidence, returns a “true bill” of
indictment.
If the grand jury determines there isn’t sufficient evidence (or probable cause), it issues a “no
bill,” and
the charges are dropped. In some cases involving less severe crimes, the case may proceed on an
“accusation”
without a grand jury indictment. Once indicted, the Accused cannot request a preliminary hearing
regarding
probable cause.