What Are the Consequences of Providing Tobacco to Minor

[Oskarson]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas
I'm an immigrant and I've been living here for a year (I'm a high school student, junior year). I just turned 18 in April and then on May 15th I got a citation for Providing tobacco to a minor. I paid my 350$ fine today and I pleaded guilty. Unfortunately my green card is being processed from the beginning of June.
My question is: What are the consequences of what I did, and is it going to be on my criminal record?

[Mr. Knowitall]

We're talking about what? H&S Code, Sec. 161.082?

[Oskarson]

Well, it appears so. However I cannot find information about what are the consequences of a Class 3 misdemeanor, can you help?

[Disagreeable]

You have committed a crime that may be interpreted as moral turpitude and be deported. Hire a lawyer, fast.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you get convicted of a crime, you get a criminal conviction on your record.

If there were such a thing as a "Class 3 misdemeanor" in Texas, we might be able to shed some light on that issue. As there is not, we cannot.

If you figure out what the charge is, you can look up the penalties for various actual classes of offenses here, Texas Penal Code, Sec. 12.01 et seq.

If you want to try to avoid a conviction, I suggest sharing the facts with a criminal defense lawyer in your county.

[Oskarson]

sorry i meant class c misdemeanor.
The thing is I already paid the fine and pleaded guilty so there isn't much I can do I just need to know if it stays on my record permanently? And is it going to slow my green card process as well as make it harder to get to some college after I finish high school?

[Disagreeable]

It could make it hard to become gainfully employed, even if it did not stop your green card..

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you received and successfully completed a deferred sentence, you can petition the sentencing court for an expungement. The USCIS would continue to regard your disposition as a conviction.

Whenever you choose to commit a crime while you're a guest in another nation, you throw a potential monkey wrench into your immigration status. Would this particular Class C misdemeanor prevent naturalization? It will depend upon the facts. However, it does cast a shadow across your claim of good moral character during the five year look back period. Can it cause problems or delays? Of course. But you can't unring a bell - you're going to have to see what happens.

The same general principles apply to jobs. Most employers would likely not be too concerned with that particular offense, but when you're up against job applicants with clean records you could find yourself at a disadvantage.

[Oskarson]

Good, that's what I needed to know.
Thanks