This paper outlines the steps a criminal lawyer should take when dealing with a client facing loss of status and deportation if criminally convicted. It provides tips for lawyers to employ from the initial phone call, to the bail, pre-plea, and plea stages, and at sentencing. It also discusses section 44 reports under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Intersection of Immigration and Criminal Law program in Edmonton on February 2, 2018 and in Calgary on February 9, 2018.