The USAO is very good at issuing press releases when there is an arrest or a conviction. Not so much when there is an acquittal. And there were some acquittals and a hung jury this week:
1. Sabrina Puglisi and Margot Moss got a not guilty before Judge Jordan in a drug case in which their client testified.*
2. AFPDs Aimee Ferrer and Jan Smith won before Judge Seitz in a gun case.
3. AFPD Miguel Caridad and David Joffe hung a jury before Judge Cooke. Apparently, Joffe's client originally pled guilty but was permitted to withdraw the plea and now is going for round 2.
*Full disclosure -- I share space with Sabrina and Margot is my law partner.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
7 comments:
Oy vey.
1. I don't see many defense lawyers issuing press releases on their guilty verdicts.
2. The practice of issuing a press release on guilty verdicts by the USAO has sound policy purpose (e.g. deterrent). Don't know how wise it would be for the USAO to press release "We can't buy a conviction!"
Actually in the gun case, the defendant was found guilty of possessing cocaine base.
Poor AUSAs. It must really be embarrassing when you miss a large dead fish in an empty barrel with a double gauge shotgun.
Isn't simple possession a misdemeanor? Hooray for the USAO!
ooh! oooh! a HUGE win! crime fighters! prosecuting destitute drug addicts for a street crime where the cops plant a gun!
man, you must be so proud.
real important work.
yawn...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ----
My client, a poor Bolivian farmer, pled guilty today to the offense of possessing a false visa to enter the US to work and send money back to his family. He received time-served and after a short stay at Krome will return to his family with a felony conviction.
Poor Bolivian farmer should lead the uprising against his oppressive and corrupt government and not break U.S. law. Better yet, he should find a poor Venezuelan farmer to conspire with. Viva la revolucion!
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