Opinion ID: 411782
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Analogous Statutes

Text: 18 The district court relied upon cases interpreting the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. Secs. 1101 et seq. This circuit has held that a conviction which is on direct appeal does not subject the alien to deportation or other disability. E.g., Morales-Alvarado v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 655 F.2d 172 (9th Cir.1981). 19 We are not persuaded that the I & NS cases provide apposite precedent for the interpretation of the term conviction as used in the PMPA. The Immigration Act imposes harsh consequences for aliens convicted of crimes. Deportation is allowed only after exhaustion of direct appeal in order to fully protect the alien's freedom in this country and to allow the alien to prosecute the appeal. See Costello v. I & NS, 376 U.S. 120, 128, 84 S.Ct. 580, 585, 11 L.Ed.2d 559, 564 (1964). 20 Here, we are faced with the interpretation of an Act intended to regulate commercial dealings between individuals. Termination of a franchise in some instances may be severe and drastic. Congress sought to take away the franchisor's ability to utilize the threat of termination. Congress also recognized that certain exceptions should exist, particularly when the franchise relationship is undermined by proscribed activities of the franchisee. We hold that the intent of the Act is fulfilled by interpreting the term conviction to be conviction by the trial court. Cf. United States v. Liles, 432 F.2d 18, 20 (9th Cir.1970) (under the Federal Firearms Act, one obtains the status of convicted felon though the conviction is on appeal).