DA Considering New Plea Conditions that Hurt Immigrants

USA-SINO NEWS

April 10, 2009

ATTORNEY DAVID WARNS NEW PROPOSAL UNFAIR

Last week, it was rumored that Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos in Houston, Texas is considering a proposal to require all people to declare that they are US citizens in order to receive plea bargains in all criminal cases.  In Texas, criminal cases include traffic tickets, shoplifting, driving while intoxicated, massage without a license and prostitution, as well as robbery, drugs, and murder.  Most criminal cases are resolved with plea bargains instead of trials.

This proposal has already been met with complaints.  One of the loudest critics is very successful Houston attorney David Michael Ryan, who represents many Chinese and other immigrants throughout the United States.  According to David Michael Ryan, the United States Supreme Court has long ruled that criminal laws apply to all people equally, regardless of citizenship.

"This is extremely unfair.  The law applies equally to all people, not just US citizens," says David Michael Ryan.  "It is hard enough for immigrants to adapt to this country.  This will make matters more difficult for immigrants trying to become citizens, and even harder for those who have overstayed their visas or seeking asylum."

David Michael Ryan frequently takes his immigrant client's cases to trial if they are charged with a crime, and has an impressive record of winning their cases.  David Michael Ryan has represented immigrants charged with all sorts of crimes, including death penalty cases.  David Michael Ryan currently represents Chinese charged with murder, drugs, driving while intoxicated, theft, prostitution, and massage violations.

David Michael Ryan thinks there will be implications beyond criminal cases.  "I am concerned.  Many citizens do not understand our legal system.  How is someone having a hard time with the language supposed to understand?  People will be even more afraid."