Rod Caruco

I grew up in Central Florida, attending St. Paul's Catholic School, Father Lopez High School, the University of Central Florida, and ultimately passed up offers from out of town schools to study law in Orlando at Barry University School of Law. I then chose to serve the country that took me and my family in as a child. During my eleven years in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps, I prosecuted and defended Airmen at trial and on appeal, and represented Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in his death penalty military commission in Guantanamo Bay. After experiencing every aspect of a criminal case, it was time to return home to my community. But though I hung up my boots, my duty to serve my community continues.

Read more about me at: www.carucolaw.com/biography

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Florida

The Florida Bar

ID Number: 85772

Since 2010

11th Circuit

Since 2023

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Since 2012

U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida

Since 2023

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2017

Founder

Caruco Law, PLLC

2023 - Current

Senior Associate

Boyd & Jenerette, P.A.

2023 - 2023

Judge Advocate

United States Air Force

2012 - 2023

Law Clerk

United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

2010 - 2012

Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law

J.D. (2010)

2010

University of Central Florida

B.A. (2006)

2006

National College for DUI Defense

2024 - Current

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2024 - Current

The Florida Bar  # 85772

Member

2010 - Current

In Order to Form a More Perfect Court: A Quantitative Measure of the Military’s Highest Court’s Success As a Court of Last Resort

Vermont Law Review

2016

Treating Members of the Military at Least as Well as Inmates and Students: Determining When Military Necessity Requires Infringing Upon Constitutional Rights in Cases Before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

University of Memphis Law Review

2015

In the Trenches of Florida’s War on Gangs: A Framework For Prosecuting Florida’s Anti-Gang Sentence Enhancement Provision

Barry Law Review

2010

An Individual-Level Analysis of Incivility in the Post-Reform Congress

Southern Political Science Association

2006

Q. I was arrested for a petty theft where they Search me without permission and my belongings and then I gotta A drug charg

April 15, 2024

A: Generally, yes. If law enforcement is legally conducting a search concerning one offense, and while doing so find evidence of another offense within the scope of the legal search, that can be charged. Even if the original offense is dropped.

However, you mentioned you may not have been searched legally. If so, that changes things in the second charge. These are very fact specific so it’s important to discuss it in more detail with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Q. what will be my probable outcome of a first offense DUI with a .3 BAC and a car accident?

April 1, 2024

A: The answer varies, but depending on the specific facts, the consequences could be quite serious. This includes potential jail time, fines, costs, and more. There may also be a negative impact on your driving privileges. There are ancillary costs too, such as increased insurance rates, higher minimums, treatment costs, DUI school, and more.

It is important you speak with an experienced DUI lawyer to discuss your particular case.

Q. The military says I was abusive to my spouse but I can show proof it was the way around?and I was discharged for it.

February 29, 2024

A: From what you’ve provided, it appears you are prior service Navy and were administratively discharged with something other than an Honorable characterization of service, causing you to be ineligible for certain veteran benefits.

If that is the case, you may be able to seek an upgrade of your discharge through the Naval Discharge Review Board. Generally, you want to demonstrate things such as rehabilitation, educational improvement, progressively successful employment, and other factors in your claim. It can be a lengthy process, but you want to work with a lawyer with experience in and knowledge of the discharge review process.

In addition to serving as an Air Force JAG for over a decade and continuing my military practice in civilian life, I served as a legal advisor to the Air Force Discharge Review Board Agency, and gained unique access to how DRBs consider these claims.

I’d be happy to learn more and discuss your case. ... Read More