Karlin & Karlin, Attorneys at Law, provide the following answers to questions frequently encountered in their Southern California practice helping people in Los Angeles and beyond in the areas of immigration law, criminal defense, and personal injury. If you have further questions or need immediate legal assistance, contact Karlin & Karlin, Attorneys at Law, for a free consultation.

Q. Do I become a U.S. citizen if I marry a U.S. citizen?

A. Marrying a U.S. citizen will not automatically make you a citizen, but it can be a way to enter and stay in the country. First, you must apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa to travel to the U.S. in order to marry. Obtaining this visa requires providing a large volume of documentation, including proof of financial support and a satisfactory medical examination. The marriage should take place within 90 days of arriving in the country. Afterwards, you can apply for lawful permanent residency (green card) through an adjustment of status proceeding. Any children born in the U.S. are of course U.S. citizens by birth.

Keep in mind that if you later divorce, your residency status may be in question. In order to maintain your permanent residence, you should file a petition to remove the conditions of residence. Karlin & Karlin can help you through that process.

Q. What do I do if I’ve been stopped by the police or arrested?

A. It is always wise to be polite and respectful toward the police, and to cooperate with their commands. For instance, if the police order you to step out of your vehicle, you must do so. There are some instances when the police have the right to search you and your immediate surroundings, even without a warrant. If the police ask you to consent to a search, you have the right to refuse and should exercise that right. If, however, the police tell you they have a right to search, you should not fight with them or obstruct them, even if you disagree. Your attorney can always challenge an illegal search and move to suppress any evidence that was illegally obtained.

The other important thing to keep in mind is to contact an attorney as soon as possible, and to not answer any questions by the police or prosecutors until you have done so. This applies whether you are being questioned at a stop, taken into custody, or formally arrested and charged. Submitting to an interrogation is almost never in your best interests. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney, and let your lawyer advise you on whether you should answer questions or not.

Q. What do I do if I’ve been in an automobile accident?

A. If anyone has been injured, call 9-1-1 and seek help immediately. Perform First Aid on yourself or others to the extent you are qualified to do so. The safety of yourself and others should be your first concern. Exchange information with the other driver, including driver’s license and insurance information, and how to contact the other person. Also try to obtain contact information for any witnesses to the accident. If you have a camera, even a cell phone camera, take pictures of the accident, including the damage to both vehicles and personal injuries, and any other property damage. Try to photograph the scene at different angles.

If you are still at the scene when the police arrive, they may ask you for a statement of what happened. If you are not present at that time due to your injuries, but the other party is, you will want to obtain a copy of the police report and review it for any inaccuracies as soon as you can.

Contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury lawyer will give you immediate advice and begin right away to obtain and preserve evidence of the accident, from contacting witnesses to investigating and documenting the scene. While preparing your case, your attorney can also be an invaluable resource for dealing with doctor’s bills, your employer, insurance companies, and all the myriad minor inconveniences and major disruptions an automobile accident can bring. In Southern California, contact Karlin & Karlin, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation and immediate assistance with your personal injury claim.