Passaic County Judge Adam E. Jacobs imposed the maximum penalty on Giudice for possessing a fraudulent driver's license -- a two-year license suspension and a $10,000 fine.
Giudice was initially charged with using his brother's identification to get a driver's license while his own was suspended due to a DUI, which carries up to 10 years in prison. Under the plea deal, Giudice got an 18-month jail sentence, but he will serve that concurrently with his 41-month federal sentence for bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, reports nj.com.
Given Giudice's driving record, which includes 39 license suspensions, the judge admitted he "came close" to rejecting the plea deal altogether. But considering the amount of time the case has dragged on -- more than four years -- and the resources that would be required to bring it to trial, he decided to okay the agreement.
via NJ.com
"If you so much as back down your driveway ... that will constitute a violation of the conditions of your release, of your bail, and it will result in you being remanded immediately to Passaic County Jail," Jacobs said.
Giudice let lawyer Miles Feinstein speak for him throughout most of the hearing, but he did ask the judge if he would be allowed to drive his four daughters to the end of the driveway to pick up the bus to school.
"I don't know how long your driveway is ...," Jacobs said.
Giudice: "It's long."
Jacobs: "I can't have you driving a vehicle. Walk with them down the road."
After the hearing, Feinstein said Giudice was "upbeat," although the loss of his driving privileges would be a hardship. He says the reality show star is making arrangements for relatives, co-workers and others to chauffeur him and his daughters around.
Source/Photo Credit: nj.com
