In 1988, Robert E. Kahn had the Texas Court of Appeal overturn a criminal conviction where the
alien defendant had not been admonished of the fact that if he pleads guilty he could be deported.
In 2010, a similar case, not represented by Robert E. Kahn; The Supreme Court of the United States,
Jose Padilla, petitioner v. Kentucky (March 31, 2010); decided as a matter of federal law, Padilla's
counsel had an obligation to advise him that the offense that he was pleading guilty for a conviction
drug distribution made him subject to automatic deportation, and would result in his removal from the
country. The Supreme Court stated that Padilla had a constitutional right to competent counsel to
advise him of the consequences of his guilty plea.
Since my first case of 1988, I have been continually vigilant on protecting immigrants
of unlawful convictions. And will continue to do so.
