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Homepage / Florida Non-Citizen Defense Network / FNCDN Membership Standards

Membership Standards

Excellence & Equity—Not Assembly-Line Pleas

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The Florida Non-Citizen Defense Network was born at a moment when anti-immigrant fervor is being hard-coded into law. The Laken Riley Act, Tallahassee’s latest “show-me-your-papers” bills, and blanket ICE sweeps mean that a shop-lifting citation or bogus accusation can catapult an otherwise legal family into deportation proceedings. Clients can’t afford a lawyer who treats their case like a traffic ticket—so neither can we.

 

Below is what it takes to wear the FNCDN badge In Tutela Omnium (“In the protection of all”):

Why Trial Experience Still Matters

Our experience has proved to us time and again that a defense lawyer’s demonstrated readiness to try a case—however infrequently trials actually occur—has a measurable impact on plea negotiations and ultimate outcomes. For non-citizen clients, that incremental leverage can be the difference between a disposition that preserves lawful status and one that triggers removal proceedings.

 

Accordingly, FNCDN asks each member to document at least two jury trials in the past three years (or provide a cogent explanation, such as an appellate docket or pandemic-related slowdowns). This modest threshold signals genuine litigation capability without excluding smaller or specialty practices. It also reassures our statewide partners—and, ultimately, our clients—that any recommendation to accept a plea is grounded in strategic judgment, not administrative convenience.

By maintaining this standard, the Network fosters a culture of thorough case analysis, informed risk assessment, and ethically sound advocacy—values that are essential when immigration consequences amplify the stakes of even minor criminal allegations. If those principles align with your practice philosophy, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.

Josef Mitkevicius law firm is absolutely amazing! We had a difficult case and won! Mr.Josef stood behind us 100%! The communication was awesome, he returns calls, responds to emails and truly stands behind his clients with integrity, hard work and reasonable rates. We put our trust in Josef Mitkevicius and it was the best decision we made when it came to choosing a law firm, he is the best!

Adrianne

OUR AWARDS AND AFFILIATIONS

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