Jose Baez (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
Jose Angel Baez is best known as the lead attorney for Casey Anthony.
, New York City
. Baez dropped out of Homestead High School
in the ninth grade, got married and became a father at the age of 17. After he earned his GED
diploma, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1986. According to his resume, he spent three years at the NATO base in Norfolk, Virginia
, trained as an intelligence analyst, describing it as "Cosmic Top Secret" security clearance.
On his return to civilian life, Baez attended Miami-Dade Community College and later transferred to Florida State University
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree. In 1997, Baez earned his Juris Doctor
degree from St. Thomas University School of Law
, and after graduation, he submitted his application to practice law to the Florida Bar. In April 1998, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners denied him a license to practice law based on evidence of "financial irresponsibility."
Baez started working as paralegal for Miami-Dade County public defender and taught internet research to lawyers. He also started four online business ventures, including two selling bikinis and two which sold computer know-how. In September 1990, Baez declared bankruptcy in Virginia
where he resided. In 1995, the Virginia Education Loan Authority filed liens against Baez for $4,336 in unpaid loans. Baez also worked for Lexis Nexis. According to media reports, his financial situation deteriorated in the recent years, with his home, purchased for over $670,000 in 2007, foreclosed and appraised at $272,900. Demonstrating he had rehabilitated himself, the Florida Bar finally granted him a license to practice law on September 22, 2005.
In March 2009, Circuit Judge Stan Strickland, who was presiding over the case at the time, notified the Florida Bar about ethical concerns relating to Baez. The concerns involved allegations that Baez had directed investigator Dominic Casey to "walk away" if he found Caylee Anthony's body during 2008 search and contact Baez instead of law enforcement.
In December 2010, Judge Belvin Perry
fined Baez for failing to comply with a court order. The Florida Attorney General
's office released information about a tampering investigation against Baez. He later apologized to the court and prosecutors.
In a press conference the day of the verdict Baez said, "While we're happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case. Caylee has passed on far, far too soon, and what my driving force has been for the last three years has been always to make sure that there has been justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee. It's that simple." He added, "And today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction." Jeff Ashton, one of the Florida prosecutors in the case, later complimented Baez on his cross-examinations and as having "the potential to be a great attorney".
Personal life
Baez was born in ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Baez dropped out of Homestead High School
Homestead High School (Homestead, Florida)
Homestead High School is a secondary school located at 2351 SE 12 Avenue in Homestead, Florida. It is part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. The principal is Ms. Cory R. Rodriguez....
in the ninth grade, got married and became a father at the age of 17. After he earned his GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
diploma, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1986. According to his resume, he spent three years at the NATO base in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, trained as an intelligence analyst, describing it as "Cosmic Top Secret" security clearance.
On his return to civilian life, Baez attended Miami-Dade Community College and later transferred to Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. In 1997, Baez earned his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from St. Thomas University School of Law
St. Thomas University School of Law
St. Thomas University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The School of Law is located on the main campus of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida...
, and after graduation, he submitted his application to practice law to the Florida Bar. In April 1998, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners denied him a license to practice law based on evidence of "financial irresponsibility."
Baez started working as paralegal for Miami-Dade County public defender and taught internet research to lawyers. He also started four online business ventures, including two selling bikinis and two which sold computer know-how. In September 1990, Baez declared bankruptcy in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
where he resided. In 1995, the Virginia Education Loan Authority filed liens against Baez for $4,336 in unpaid loans. Baez also worked for Lexis Nexis. According to media reports, his financial situation deteriorated in the recent years, with his home, purchased for over $670,000 in 2007, foreclosed and appraised at $272,900. Demonstrating he had rehabilitated himself, the Florida Bar finally granted him a license to practice law on September 22, 2005.
Casey Anthony trial
According to recorded conversations she had with her brother during her imprisonment, Casey Anthony heard other female inmates mention Baez as being a good attorney. Anthony told a fellow inmate that if she talked to Baez soon, to please tell him about her. The next day, Baez visited her and agreed to represent her. Anthony's family had told her to replace him as her attorney if the need should arise.In March 2009, Circuit Judge Stan Strickland, who was presiding over the case at the time, notified the Florida Bar about ethical concerns relating to Baez. The concerns involved allegations that Baez had directed investigator Dominic Casey to "walk away" if he found Caylee Anthony's body during 2008 search and contact Baez instead of law enforcement.
In December 2010, Judge Belvin Perry
Belvin Perry
Belvin Perry Jr. presently serves as chief judge in the Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit. He was the presiding judge for the high profile Casey Anthony murder trial.-Early life and career:...
fined Baez for failing to comply with a court order. The Florida Attorney General
Florida Attorney General
The Florida Attorney General is an elected cabinet official in the U.S. state of Florida. The attorney general serves as the chief legal officer of the state....
's office released information about a tampering investigation against Baez. He later apologized to the court and prosecutors.
In a press conference the day of the verdict Baez said, "While we're happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case. Caylee has passed on far, far too soon, and what my driving force has been for the last three years has been always to make sure that there has been justice for Caylee and Casey because Casey did not murder Caylee. It's that simple." He added, "And today our system of justice has not dishonored her memory by a false conviction." Jeff Ashton, one of the Florida prosecutors in the case, later complimented Baez on his cross-examinations and as having "the potential to be a great attorney".