Joe Giudice rejects plea deal, heading to trial this fall

Jul, 30, 2012 | AUTHOR: Lindsay; | Related : Joe Giudice, Law and Order, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice

Joe Giudice mug shot

Joe Giudice aka Juicy Joe appeared in court this morning to face fraud and identity theft charges following his attempt to obtaining a driver’s license using his brother’s name in June of 2010. Joe’s license had been suspended just a few months prior after being charged with DUI. Today, Joe was offered a plea deal which he refused, opting to instead proceed with a trial.

Joe arrived to court late this morning and without his Real Housewives of New Jersey wife Teresa Giudice. According to NorthJersey.com, he had gotten lost in the underground parking lot of a nearby mall.

Joe Giudice

Joe spoke briefly to Tom Murro of Celebrity Magnet in the hallway before court. When Tom asked him what he planned on doing with the case, Joe replied, “I don’t know, If I wasn’t on TV this would be over already, they dismissed my brothers 1-2-3.” Tom witnessed Joe pacing around the hallways and chatting on his cell phone prior to entering the courtroom. Oddly enough, Joe’s lawyer, Miles Feinstein, was also late which led to a “scolding” by the judge once he was ready to hear their case.

After the case was heard, Joe received the state’s plea offer of five years in state prison. Following the plea offer, Joe’s attorney countered by requesting an adjournment until Oct 1st.

Although the Passaic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor had previously stated that a probation only judgement was out of the question, Joe’s lawyer insists that “because Giudice has no prior criminal convictions, he should be eligible for probation.” In Joe’s home state of New Jersey, obtaining a false driver’s license is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He is also facing a forgery charge which can fetch up to 18 months in prison.

Things aren’t looking good for Joe. Maybe he should have taken the five years — he’d only end up serving two and a half.

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At0165

He should be treated like everyone else. Sounds like they want to make an example out of him. 2.5 yrs though isn’t bad. He’d be out to see his oldest daughter graduate HS vs the 10 possible yrs.
V

Seems pretty harsh for forgery and Identity theft with no prior offenses.
helloisitme

I’m not sure why he even bothers fighting it. 2 years is pretty reasonable, and its not like he’s providing for his family, or even appears to treat his children and wife very well. Instead of incurring more debt from lawyers fees he should just serve the plea deal and give his family a break.
Jayla

Holy crap the American justice system is tough! 5 years just for a fake licence attempt using id that was GIVEN to him, he didn’t steal anyone’s documents or anything. There’s no way you’d go to jail for that in aus, wow.
polk8dot

Actually, the plea deal was a GOOD deal.
Since the attacks of 9/11, any and all identity thefts have been reclassified as federal offences. That in itself raises the penalty significantly.
Also, the brother, in his own case, claimed that Joe took his birth certificate without his permission, or at least without telling him what he was going to use it for (i.e. obtain fraudulent ID and DL, in effect committing identity theft). So there was theft per se, only it was perpetrated on a brother, and that makes it sound better to some people, though legally it is exactly the same.
The max penalty for Joe’s charge is 10 years. The prosecution was REALLY doing him a favor by offering half that. Had he accepted the 5 years, he’d then have been given at least another half off (2.5 years) for ‘good behavior’, ‘jail work programs’, overcrowding etc. All told, he most likely would have been incarcerated for no more that 2 years, possibly even 18 months or less.
I’m sure all this was exlained to him, diligently, and he still chose to reject it. This in itself shows how vain, entitled, delusional and plain dumb Joe and Teresa are.
True, he only needs 1 jury member to get mistrial, but that does not quarantee that the case will not be re-filed, and tried again. He is hoping for acquittal, falling back on his and Teresa’s reality TV ‘fame’. I have a feeling that this is going to end with him getting 7 years in prison (obviously DA is going to recommend more than the 5 years since Joe put them thru the expense of a trial). Hubris is one of the worst vices, and Joe is overflowing with it, so is Tre, and they will eventually get payback from life.
- Suzanne Ridgeway
  
  Personally, I think Joe is a creep. He talks to Teresa like she’s a piece of scum. He’s always telling her to shut up and he’s become so unattractive. Not that he ever was attractive to begin with. He’s really short and he’s gained at least 20 or more pounds. All he ever does on the show is swear, talk crap about everyone and threatens everyone. He’s a loser. Teresa should drop him like yesterdays trash. Her brother seems to be okay except when Joe comes around opening up his big mouth, which is always. He thinks he’s above everyone and Teresa unfortunately has a lousy attitude to boot. She can’t ever admit that her husband may very well be GOING TO JAIL. If someone states that to her she flips out and says “GOING AWAY”. Teresa, you need to grow up and stop the stupid arguments over pure ignorance. You act like some kid in high school with your continual sniping over any little comment. You’re much too sensitive, You act out on everyone and in turn, you’re bascially just pissing everyone off. I’m surprised any of them are even speaking to you. You’re own kids seem to be sick of you and your attitude. Gia knows what’s up. She’s not a stupid kid. She knows what’s going on with her father and with you. Joe may go to jail and if he does, get over it. Neither you or Joe are infallible. You treat your cousin like garbage. If I were here I would have knocked the crap out of you.. and as for Melissa, You’re so jealous of her it’s sickening. You can’t stand that your brother has a good marriage and that they have a happy life and that a judge may state to your husband, guess what, you screwed up WITH FELONIES, NOT MISDIMEANORS, and he very well may go to jail. Get over your attitude. You won’t have any friends at all if you keep the fight every friggin word someone says that doesn’t agree with you attidute up. I would have personally dropped you as a friend ages ago..even if I were related to you, I would have dumped your behind because you act as if you’re better than everyone and you’re not! You give your kids the absolute worst example of what a human being should be treated like. Both you and your husband are guilty of that. Learn to treat people with respect and if someone has constructive critisism to give to you, listen to them, get over it and stop your absolute childish behavior. This is why your kids are out of control.. lead be example.. they see this, they act like spoiled rotten kids and that’s what you have spoiled kids.. over and out.. and I hope they drop you if they have a lick of sense about them because you treat people like crap.
janb55

Joe thinks his “celebrity” status will get him out of trouble. He’ll get more time if he’s found guilty at the trial. He should have taken the deal–he’s not doing anything to support his family.