Posted on: Thursday, March 24, 2005

Judge's son gets cases dropped with warning

Advertiser Staff

The 26-year-old son of a state judge was granted a chance yesterday to have two felony criminal cases dropped, but was warned he'd have to go back to jail if he violates conditions similar to probation.

Brett Del Rosario, son of Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario, earlier pleaded guilty to forgery and second-degree identification theft related to forging checks Oct. 7 last year. He also pleaded guilty Aug. 12 in another case to charges of driving a stolen car, possessing methamphetamine and having stolen property.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins yesterday granted Deputy Public Defender Ed Harada's request to defer acceptance of his client's guilty pleas, which means the cases will be dismissed if he abides by conditions similar to probation for five years.

Perkins also ordered Brett Del Rosario to serve a year in jail, but gave him credit for the five months he spent behind bars unable to post bail. The judge also said he can impose the remaining seven months if Brett Del Rosario violates any of the conditions.

Harada said his client has a drug problem and needs help, not punishment.

City prosecutors opposed the defense request for a deferral.

"We would have preferred that he serve at least a full year in jail because of the seriousness of the offenses," said Jim Fulton, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.