Colombia criminal lawyer US citizens
A US citizen facing criminal allegations that involve Colombia — whether the charges arise under Title 18 of the United States Code, implicate cross-border conduct, or require coordination with Colombian authorities — needs counsel who understands both the US criminal justice system and the practical realities of cross-border defense. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, is a US law firm with an international clientele. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder, is a former prosecutor admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For Colombia-law dimensions of a criminal matter, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
A Colombia criminal lawyer for US citizens handles US criminal defense matters that have a Colombia nexus — including federal charges with cross-border elements, allegations of conduct spanning both countries, and cases requiring coordination with Colombia-licensed counsel. These matters arise in several recurring contexts. A US citizen may face federal charges in a US district court based on conduct that allegedly occurred in or involved Colombia. A US citizen arrested or detained in Colombia may need US-side counsel to coordinate with family, consular officials, and Colombia-licensed defense attorneys. A US citizen may be the subject of an extradition request and require representation in US extradition proceedings. In each scenario, the US-law defense is handled by a US-admitted attorney, while any Colombia-law questions are addressed in collaboration with Colombia-licensed counsel.
The federal extradition framework under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 209 governs proceedings in US courts when a foreign nation seeks the return of a person located in the United States. These proceedings involve a judicial probable-cause determination and a subsequent certification decision by the Secretary of State. A US citizen facing extradition has the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment and the protections of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The firm’s role on the US side is to challenge the legal sufficiency of the extradition request, contest probable cause where appropriate, and protect the client’s constitutional and procedural rights throughout the proceeding.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor and the founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., leads the US criminal defense side of every Colombia-related criminal matter, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel — admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar — provides Colombia-law guidance and serves as a liaison with Colombian institutions. This division of responsibility is not merely a matter of efficiency; it is required by the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law. A US-admitted attorney cannot practice Colombian law, and a Colombia-admitted attorney cannot practice US law. The firm respects that boundary in every engagement.
When a US citizen contacts the firm about a criminal matter with a Colombia dimension, Mr. Sris evaluates the US-law exposure first. If the matter involves Colombian criminal procedure, Colombian evidentiary rules, or interaction with Colombian prosecutorial or judicial authorities, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo for the Colombia-law side. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombia-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney stays within the jurisdiction of their own licensure. The client receives US criminal defense representation from Mr. Sris and Colombia-law support from Mr. Duport Jaramillo, with each attorney’s role clearly delineated in the engagement.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 and serves as its Owner and Managing Attorney. He is a former prosecutor admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His experience includes criminal defense across multiple US jurisdictions, and he has built the firm’s cross-border practice to serve international clients with US legal needs. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g).
For Colombia-related criminal matters, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel for Colombia practice. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. His practice with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys at the firm. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s background includes service as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He earned his law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Colombia criminal lawyer for US citizens actually do?
A Colombia criminal lawyer for US citizens defends the client against US criminal charges that have a Colombia nexus and coordinates with Colombia-licensed counsel for any Colombia-law aspects of the matter. On the US side, this means appearing in federal district court, challenging the government’s evidence, negotiating with federal prosecutors, and litigating constitutional and procedural defenses under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. On the Colombia side, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar, to address Colombian criminal procedure questions and to interface with Colombian authorities. The client has a US-admitted attorney for the US case and a Colombia-admitted attorney for Colombia-law support, with each operating within their licensure. For a consultation on your specific situation, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
I am a US citizen and I have been accused of a crime in Colombia. Can a US lawyer represent me there?
A US-admitted attorney cannot represent you in Colombian criminal proceedings; you need a Colombia-licensed attorney for the Colombia case, and a US attorney can assist with US-side issues such as consular coordination, family communication, and any parallel US investigation. The unauthorized practice of law rules in both countries mean that Mr. Sris, who is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, cannot appear in a Colombian court or advise on Colombian criminal law. However, the firm can engage Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar, to handle the Colombia-side defense. Mr. Sris can simultaneously advise on any US-law implications, such as whether the Colombian allegations could trigger a parallel US federal investigation. To discuss the details of your cross-border matter, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What should a US citizen do if arrested while traveling in Colombia?
A US citizen arrested in Colombia should immediately request that the nearest US embassy or consulate be notified, decline to make any statement to Colombian authorities without counsel present, and arrange for a Colombia-licensed defense attorney. The US Department of State can provide a list of English-speaking attorneys licensed in Colombia, and consular officers can facilitate communication with family in the United States. The consular officer cannot provide legal advice or serve as your attorney. Once Colombia-licensed counsel is engaged, the firm can serve as US-side coordinating counsel — Mr. Sris can advise the family on the US legal landscape, communicate with the Colombia-licensed attorney about the case, and address any US-law issues that arise. Eric Duport Jaramillo, admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, can serve as Colombia-licensed counsel or coordinate with other Colombia-licensed attorneys as the case requires. For guidance on your specific cross-border situation, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does extradition between the United States and Colombia work?
Extradition proceedings in the United States are governed by 18 U.S.C. Chapter 209 and involve a judicial hearing before a federal magistrate judge followed by a certification decision by the Secretary of State. At the judicial stage, the court determines whether there is probable cause to believe the person committed the offense charged and whether the offense is extraditable under applicable law. The person facing extradition has the right to counsel, the right to present evidence, and the right to challenge the government’s showing. If the court certifies extraditability, the matter proceeds to the Secretary of State for a final decision. Throughout this process, Mr. Sris represents the client in the US proceeding. For any Colombia-law questions — such as the validity of the underlying Colombian charge or the procedural regularity of the Colombian request — the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. For a consultation on cross-border criminal defense, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Does the firm handle both US federal criminal defense and Colombian criminal matters?
The firm handles US federal criminal defense directly through Mr. Sris and addresses Colombian criminal law matters through Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. This dual structure ensures that every aspect of a cross-border criminal matter is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor admitted in five US jurisdictions, manages all US-side criminal defense work, including federal district court appearances, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and extradition defense. Mr. Duport Jaramillo manages Colombia-law questions, including Colombian criminal procedure, Colombian evidentiary standards, and engagement with Colombian prosecutorial and judicial bodies. The two attorneys collaborate as the matter requires, but each remains strictly within the bounds of their licensure. To discuss how the firm can assist with your cross-border criminal matter, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.