ABDW on PREGNANT WOMAN: REDUCED TO SIMPLE ASSAULT & BATTERY / IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES

Client, 42-year-old immigrant construction worker from Cape Verde with four children, was charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon on a Pregnant Woman, which is an aggravated felony. Defendant entered Rice’s Market in Brockton. Defendant was previously prohibited from entering Rice’s Market due to a prior incident with the female cashier (verbal altercation). On this occasion, Defendant approached the same female cashier to purchase a one-quart can of cooking oil. The female clerk informed Defendant that he was banned from the premises. Defendant became upset and threw the can of cooking oil at the female cashier striking her in the stomach. The female cashier was 8 months pregnant at time and was taken via ambulance to the emergency room. Because the charge constitutes an aggravated felony, Defendant was subject to deportation from the United States. Attorney Patrick J. Noonan procured an agreement with the Commonwealth to have the aggravated felony reduced to a misdemeanor Assault & Battery. Even with the reduced charge of Assault & Battery, Defendant would be subject to deportation, if convicted, because he had a prior conviction for Assault in Battery in 2009. Attorney Patrick J. Noonan procured an agreed upon disposition of the Assault & Battery charge called “guilty file.” For purposes of immigration law, a “guilty file” is not considered a conviction because it carries no penalty.

Result: Attorney Patrick J. Noonan successfully reduces aggravated felony charge of ABDW on a pregnant woman to the misdemeanor offense of simple Assault & Battery, and client avoids possible deportation.