Padilla v. Kentucky

Padilla v. Kentucky is a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court case that determined that defense attorneys have a constitutional obligation to inform their clients about the immigration consequences of a guilty plea. The case involved Josie Padilla, a lawful permanent resident who was not advised that pleading guilty to a drug charge would lead to his automatic deportation. The Court ruled that failing to provide this critical advice constituted ineffective assistance of counsel, thereby affirming that defendants must be aware of how legal decisions can impact their immigration status. This decision highlights the intersection between criminal law and immigration law.