MIAMI — It was difficult at times for Joe Martinez, the now-convicted former Miami-Dade police officer and ex-commissioner, to listen to cops and county leaders, lawmakers and loved ones, describe him in glowing terms in front of a judge and a packed courtroom Thursday.
“He is not somebody (who) should be in prison,” Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon said.
Martinez was found guilty in November on two felony charges of unlawful compensation.
The state argued Martinez took $15,000 in exchange for creating new legislation to help a supermarket owner and its landlord with code violations.
Out of a potential 20-year sentence, the state has asked for the minimum, 34-and-a-half months in state prison.
His attorneys want a downward departure: a withhold of adjudication, no formal conviction, much less prison time.
Judge Miguel de la O seemed inclined to agree, but said he needed more time and information to rule.
“I’m not sure what I would like to do is legal,” de la O said. “If I can do it legally, I will.”
Another hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Attorneys for Martinez say, no matter what the sentence ends up being, they will continue to fight the jury’s guilty verdicts.
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