THE IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS By ADA B. POZO, Esq. Very often prosecutors, the court, and the general public view Motions to Vacate Pleas as a drain on an already extremely congested criminal justice system. As we are all aware, court dockets are overflowing with thousands of open cases. A Motion to Vacate filed on a case that was “resolved” months, years, and even decades prior is not always welcomed with the most open of arms. At a time when Florida court remedies had all but expired for individuals facing deportation as a result of pleas in criminal cases pursuant to, State v. Green, 944 So.2d 208 (Fla. 2006); along came, Padilla v. Kentucky, 130 S. Ct. 1473 (2010). Padilla opened up a new ground upon which to challenge convictions with immigration consequences based on a violation of defendants’ Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of … [Read more...]

By DONNA BALANCIA, TFLJ Editor MELBOURNE, Fla. – They’re as different as night and day, but one thing GrayRobinson attorneys Mason Williams and Jack Kirschenbaum have in common is their support for the arts. The Perry, Fla.- born Williams golfs, and directs his church choir. Kirschenbaum, originally from Miami, leans more towards tennis and is a fine-art aficionado. But their love of the arts inspired the two attorneys to create an opportunity to support artists who live and work in Brevard County. And several times a year, GrayRobinson hosts a gallery-type reception for Brevard County artists, at its Melbourne office. “Art of Brevard: A Quarterly Celebration of Brevard Artists” is a program that Williams and Kirschenbaum launched so that artists could get recognition. Art is displayed on the walls throughout the building and remains there after the reception is over. … [Read more...]