San Antonio Alien Smuggling Attorney

Lawyer Assisting Clients Charged With Illegal Border Crossing in San Antonio, TX

With immigration issues at the forefront of political rhetoric and debates over legislation, crimes like alien smuggling are being taken very seriously in the U.S. judicial system. Sam Lock proudly represents clients throughout Central and South Texas, including cities such as San Antonio, Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, and Waco. If you are facing charges related to alien smuggling (including conspiracy, transporting, harboring, encouraging/inducing, or hiring aliens), he can help you protect your rights.

When you are accused of crimes associated with alien smuggling, each individual offense is considered a felony and carries its own set of consequences. Section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act outlines the specific penalties for alien smuggling in the United States, and the penalties can be very stiff – up to 10 years in federal prison for each felony charge. You may feel pressure from federal authorities to plead guilty, but a criminal defense attorney can fight for you and make sure your best interests are represented every step of the way.

The crackdown on illegal immigration by the government and federal and state law enforcement authorities has caused a spike in alien smuggling charges, arrests, and convictions in recent years. With so many agencies on the lookout for illegal activity, innocent people can often get charged in the process. Sam Lock works with individuals and corporations accused of alien smuggling crimes, and he knows how to prepare a case for the best possible outcome.

What Counts as Alien Smuggling?

The term "alien smuggling" refers to any number of federal crimes related to bringing undocumented people across the border. These crimes include:

• Alien Smuggling: Directly bringing a person without documentation into the country at any place other than an official point of entry.
• Domestic Transporting: Knowingly moving an alien within the United States, by car or any other means.
• Harboring: Knowingly hiding or hosting a person without documentation, whether in a building or vehicle.
• Encouraging: Urging someone to illegally enter the United States.
• Conspiracy: Plotting to commit any of the above offenses.

The penalties associated with these crimes are harsh. For transporting, harboring, or encouraging an alien to the United States, a possible five-year prison sentence may apply, and it may be increased to as much as 10 years if there was a profit motive behind the act. If any act of alien smuggling caused the death of another person, the sentence is escalated to indefinite imprisonment or death. The prosecution must prove that a person had knowledge of an alien's undocumented status when carrying out the crime, or at the very least, they acted in reckless disregard of the law.

The stakes are higher as soon as the federal government gets involved. If you are arrested or charged with alien smuggling, it is important that you exercise your right to be represented by a lawyer as soon as possible. With a skilled and experienced attorney on your side, you can take the proper steps to safeguard your freedoms.

Contact a San Antonio, Texas Illegal Border Crossing Defense Attorney Today

Sam H. Lock is a criminal defense lawyer who has been working to protect the rights of Texans accused of misdemeanors and felonies for over 25 years. No matter the case, he provides legal representation without judgment, working with clients to figure out the best defense and using proven strategies to secure a positive outcome for them.

The state of Texas is under a lot of pressure to punish those who attempt to cross U.S. borders illegally. As politicians argue for stiffer penalties in these cases, more and more people are finding themselves facing prison time and massive fines. Combined with the sheer volume of cases related to alien smuggling and illegal entry, it is crucial that you have an experienced lawyer on your side so that you do not get lost in the shuffle of the system.

You can reach our San Antonio office at 210-226-0965 or contact Sam H. Lock online.