Padilla v. Kentucky oral argument transcript

The United States Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in Padilla v. Kentucky.  The case invovles a lawful permanent resident of the United States who plead guilty to a drug trafficking offense on reliance on his attorney’s advice that the guilty plea would have no adverse immigration consequences.

The issue argued is whether a lawyer who is representing a non-United States citizen in a criminal matter has the affirmative responsibility to properly advise their client of any adverse immigration consequences that may stem from entering a plea of guilty to a criminal charge.  

Stephen B. Kinnaird, Esq. argued the case for Padilla. Here is a link to the full transcript of the Padilla v. Kentucky oral argument. U.S. Supreme Court, Oct. 13, 2009.