Josef Mitkevicius: Breaking Barriers, Building Trust

by Shekka Drayton, Dutton Law Group

Access to the courts is a challenge that permeates all levels of society.

However, access to courts presents a unique challenge for individuals who do not speak English as a first language. Although this issue is ameliorated by the support of court appointed interpreters, language barriers arise long before the individual steps foot in a courtroom and persists beyond the resolution of a case. Bilingual attorney Josef Mitkevicius is confronting this reality by providing criminal defense representation with a special emphasis on meeting the needs of the Hispanic community. Through his criminal defense practice, Attorney Mitkevicius seeks to break down language barriers while building the trust of his clients.

Mitkevicius, commanding in stature yet humble in demeanor, is a graduate of Georgetown Law. He possesses the sharp wit and skills one would expect from a scholar of his pedigree. After law school, he worked in Washington D.C. on a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation involving bribery of public officials in Mexico. He dedicated two years to this work. Mitkevicius went on to Mexico City where he worked on a money laundering investigation. In 2016, he returned to his hometown of Pensacola. He served five years with the Public Defender’s Office. During his time, Mitkevicius was able to witness the increasing need for representation for Spanish-speaking defendants. “I also felt a unique sense of fulfillment each time I was assigned a case in which the client was a Spanishspeaker,” reflected Mitkevicius. Thus, the impetus for Mitkevicius Law, PLLC, was born. Mitkevicius Law, PLLC is described on the firm’s website as a fully bilingual criminal defense law firm dedicated to providing high-quality legal representation to individuals who have been charged with crimes. The need is evident. Mitkevicius notes approximately 70 percent of his clients at any given time do not speak English. Not only do his clients face language barriers, but there is also unfamiliarity with the justice system. Mitkevicius explains individuals raised in the United States usually have a general understanding of jury trials and plea agreements. However, these concepts can be novel to immigrants. With his Spanish-speaking clients, Mitkevicius meticulously explains the criminal justice system- a system made even more complex with collateral immigration consequences.

The collateral immigration consequences of a criminal conviction for a non-citizen are complicated and constantly changing. Mitkevicius ensures his clients consult with an immigration attorney prior to entering any plea agreement. Aida Ramirez of The Ramirez Hormaza Law Group is a Spanish-speaking immigration attorney who has built a fully bilingual firm to address these needs. Mitkevicius and Ramirez share an office space downtown and work closely on several cases. Both firms represent a safe space where Spanish-speaking clients can receive excellent representation.

Court appointed interpreters are another resource for Spanish-speaking defendants. Court appointed interpreters are the greatest resource that we have for individuals with language barriers. We have an incredible team of court appointed interpreters in the 1st Circuit who go the extra mile in helping individuals with language barriers to navigate the court system. They are caring, knowledgeable and hard-working interpreters.

Unfortunately, there are bad actors that take advantage of this community. Language barriers can cause Spanish-speaking defendants to fall prey to fraudulent and exploitative practices. Mitkevicius explains, “Notarios” are people who get their notary public license in the United States and operate under the Spanish translation for notary. In most Spanish-speaking countries, a notary is a lawyer with special powers akin to a Magistrate in the United States. Spanishspeakers are often defrauded out of large sums of money in pursuing work permits or legal representation.

Mitkevicius’ zealous advocacy has earned the trust of this community. His care and concern are genuine. He derives his passion from his parents. Mitkevicius is the proud son of immigrants. His mother was born in Italy, and his father was born in a refugee camp in Germany. His paternal grandparents fled Lithuania. Seeking justice for immigrants is a cause deeply rooted in his family history.

Mitkevicius’ firm is built around the core values of non-judgement, client happiness, openmindedness, transparency, honesty, and zealous advocacy. “We strive to be a place where everyone who walks in our doors, no matter what they are accused of or what their background, feel immediately welcomed and respected,” explained Mitkevicius.

Although navigating the justice system can pose a formidable challenge to Spanish-speaking defendants, Attorney Mitkevicius has the knowledge, experience, and passion to clear the path to justice.

“Once arrested, navigating the system can be extremely difficult without the ability to speak English. If someone is not a United States citizen, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will often place a hold on a defendant as soon as they are booked in the local jail. Once an ICE hold is in place, a defendant cannot bond out of jail. If they do post bond, they are taken directly into immigration custody and transported out of state to a privately run immigration detention center. Posting bond with an ICE hold has drastic consequences because the defendant will miss their criminal court date and often end up with a warrant for failure to appear. The immigration case is also more difficult when someone has a pending criminal matter.” — Josef Mitkevicius