K-Rod's Criminal Case Could Be Closing
NY Mets’ closer, Francisco Rodriguez, appeared in a Queens County courthouse today to continue to defend misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault of his girl-friend’s father and criminal contempt for contacting his estranged girl-friend in violation of a court order of protection.
As we have previously posted, the vast majority of misdemeanor criminal cases are disposed of by a plea deal. In fact, K-Rod’s lawyer told the media after court today: “This is not going to trial.”
He may be right.
The judge adjourned the case until December 3, 2010 for K-Rod’s next court appearance. Given the extremely busy misdemeanor criminal case backlog, this type of adjournment is known as a “short date.” In my experience as a former NYC prosecutor, when a case is put over for a “short date” it can mean that a plea deal is close.
Let’s face it; there is no way K-Rod can go to spring training with these criminal charges over his head. That situation will not endear him to a new GM, Sandy Alderson, and new Manager of the Mets. K-Rod needs to close his criminal case fiasco now to save his career in New York.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.