The reach of federal law can be long. Because of this, many Californians may find themselves facing criminal allegations, either for activities that they did not know where criminal, or they may be wrongly accused of a federal offense. For this reason, it is often imperative that those facing criminal charges find a way to create a defense strategy that protects their best interests. This often means speaking with a qualified attorney, negotiating with prosecutors and presenting a defendant’s side of the story through litigation.
A California father and daughter may need to do this now after being taken into custody for allegedly operating a sham marriage ring. According to authorities, these two individuals, together with an associate, secured green cards for Chinese citizens by fraudulently marrying them to Americans. The accused are said to have charged as much as $50,000 for the marriages. They allegedly went as far as taking fake wedding and honeymoon pictures that could be used to legitimize their marriage. Immigration officials claim more than 70 of these marriages occurred, netting nearly $3.5 million.
These individuals, who are now facing charges of visa fraud, could be facing green card revocation and deportation. This is quite serious, potentially upending their lives and rendering their future uncertain. Therefore, they need to educate themselves about the law and how then can best proceed to protect their best interests.
These types of cases are often difficult to defend against by oneself, as the law itself can be difficult to comprehend, and the facts of the case themselves may leave certain issues open to interpretation. Therefore, it is critical that the individuals in this case, and others who are facing similar charges, consider consulting with a legal professional who can help them fight for their future.
Source: CBS News, “Father and daughter charged in sham marriage ring in California,” Sep. 9, 2015