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Idoa't generally watch boxing. Twoguys httting each other in the headas hard as they can just isn't somethingI tune into for relaxation. But theother night I attended a premier showingof a dwtnnentary, "Split Decisions",about an Austin boxer.Jesus "El Matada" Chavez becamethe North American Boxing FederationSuper Featherweight Champion in 1997.Austin Mayor Kirk Watson honored himw~th a Jesus Chavez Day. He has a nearperfect rccord of 32-1. Despite h ~s boxingsuccess, Jesus is hkc a man withuta country. Born in Meuco, but raised niChicago since age 7, ins boxing careerwas on the rise when, at 18, he madc adecision that changed 111s lifc. At thetlme of the championship-fight. Jesus\\as fghting a deportation ada to Me..tco.Hc was boxing his way to a worldchainp~onship when his attempt to get adriver's license tipped off theInnnigration Service. A feu, monthslater; INS scnt bm back to Mexico.Teased because of his lousy Spanish,away from this parents and shhns anddiskusted by the Mexican hmring conntiunity,J~esus is mtt ofoface 61 Mexico& can7return to the Stales.The film's director, blarcy Ganiott,made the film after meettng Jesnstl~nougt~ her boxing brother-in-law. Shewas shocked how the system works.She had believed that if a person commitsa crime, awepts punish~ncnt andrehabilitates hinlselve society shouldforgive. The film shows how unforgivingboth the criminal jnsitce system andthe immigration laws hnve become.Following a couple of neighbo~lioodtough gnys, he joined in a groceiy storerobbay. Thenert day he told his boxingcoach what 11s had done. The coachlwked at him and said, "What are yongmng to do when yon go to jail?Vesuswas stunned. No snrpnse to criminaldefcnse attorneys, but the ktd jnst hadn'tthought about the coilsequences.Ashamed of the pain he cawed h ~sfamily, wanting to be a man and &ce theconsequences, he pleaded guilty. Jesosserved three and a half years in prison.Prominently drsplr+red inside ptism is) the sign "Decis~ons Defernnnc Desttny".Becatisc he was Mcxicatt-born, INSplcked him up at the ppnson gate and puthim on a bus to Mex~co He hadn't Ilvedthere for twenty ho ycars.Jesus prinptiy retnn~ed to thc UnitedStales, although illegally. He startedboxing under a dtfferent name in Austin.Jesus is applying for a pardnl fromthe Governor of llli~rots and n workwaiver om the INS so be can make anm at the world liile. He's viorr~ed aboutrime now. At 28. his main competttorsalc 21 and 22 Soon, he says, he w~ll betoo old to be a slmng contender.For your clrents who me not US c~hzens,the decision on their cases mayhave harsher conseqneiices than jailtune. Just as TCDLA member BillMaynard says, "Renmuher 364 Days".A posslbie sente~~ce of morc than 364days pnts a non citizen client 111 dangerof depo~%atim~. Call an immnigrationatiumey if you are not certain of poolclient's imnt~gratio~l consequencesSplit Decisrons" is a great film Trythe other suggestions for books, films,web sites and vacstlons found m thisedthon of the Yoice.-Hap@ you ergov tire strmrrte,:Voice 10 - JufyIAugust 2000 - Director's Perspective
Rusty Duncan 2000luly1Augu;t 200U - Voice 11P=-
Page 2 and 3: 1 Thursday, July 20,20001 &30 Regis
Page 5 and 6: THEPURPOSES OF TCDLATo p~otect c~nc
Page 7 and 8: When they ask you to contact yourle
Page 13 and 14: 1court 11eM that that was snfficien
Page 15 and 16: GEURGE ROMAL5MEMORIAL SGWOLARf HIF'
Page 17 and 18: www.columbiahouse.comRemember the f
Page 19: D rngs of abuse are identified byma
Page 22 and 23: Vo~ce 22 - July/August 2000 Guldetl
Page 25 and 26: I Table 2Commoh ylr;rll130r~ fv.iso
Page 27: 30% More New Client Calls.With Inte
Page 30 and 31: US. Supreme Courthttp://supct.law.c
Page 32 and 33: DMribution. Opinion issued May92000
Page 34: commission. The indictment alleged
Page 37 and 38: ---- -CDLP aoes to South Padre isla
Page 39 and 40: were convicting murderers of lesser
Page 41 and 42: find facts, the jury is glven littl
Page 43: capitalcases with exceptional cauti
Page 46 and 47: Reference:2 Iard Campbell. Thc Lmes
Page 48 and 49: TCDLA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERSPaulAndan
Page 50 and 51: Some of thebest legal-minds ......
Page 52: ~ ~Jdn w in New Orleansfor Just $11

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