On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of New Jersey suspended attorney George L. Rodriguez from practicing law for three years, retroactive to February 2, 2023. The decision followed Rodriguez’s guilty plea and convictions in Superior Court for multiple criminal charges, including second-degree vehicular homicide, third-degree insurance fraud, and third-degree vehicle title fraud. The suspension stems from a fatal car accident in 2020 and a series of actions that violated legal and ethical standards.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of George L. Rodriguez,” with case no. 090124.
Rodriguez’s legal troubles began with a history of driving offenses, including six convictions for driving while intoxicated (DWI). In 2012, after his sixth DWI, a court suspended his driver’s license for 10 years. Despite this, Rodriguez arranged in December 2018 for a friend to buy, register, and insure a vehicle in the friend’s name, allowing Rodriguez to drive it illegally. He later admitted this was his idea and hid his license suspension from his friend.
The incident that led to his convictions occurred on November 13, 2020. Rodriguez, driving the fraudulently registered vehicle at night, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another car at about 50 miles per hour. The crash killed the other driver, who was pronounced dead at a hospital after emergency responders found him unresponsive at the scene. Rodriguez told police he had turned and accidentally hit the victim’s car, claiming he was “going the wrong way.” Tests showed no alcohol or drugs in his system, but he later admitted during a plea hearing that a prior eye surgery had left him visually impaired, making it unsafe for him to drive at night.
A Somerset County Grand Jury indicted Rodriguez in March 2021 on charges including vehicular homicide, causing death while driving with a suspended license, insurance fraud, vehicle title fraud, and operating a vehicle knowing his license was suspended due to prior DWIs. His friend was also indicted for related fraud charges. Rodriguez pleaded guilty on September 23, 2022, to most charges, with the second-degree insurance fraud count reduced to third-degree. He also admitted to reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. During the hearing, he acknowledged his visual impairment and accepted responsibility for the crash.
On November 10, 2022, Judge Peter J. Tober sentenced Rodriguez to five years in prison, requiring him to serve 85% of the term before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. He was also ordered to pay $13,273 in restitution to the victim’s family and $1,877 in fines. The judge noted Rodriguez’s six prior DWIs and five convictions for driving with a suspended license as aggravating factors, along with his long history of alcohol abuse, though he had been sober since his arrest and had attended Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) filed a motion for final discipline, arguing that Rodriguez’s crimes violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(b), which prohibits criminal acts reflecting poorly on a lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness.
The Disciplinary Review Board reviewed the case on November 21, 2024, and decided on December 16, 2024, to recommend a three-year suspension, retroactive to his temporary suspension on February 2, 2023. The OAE had suggested a two- or three-year suspension, citing the severity of his actions, while Rodriguez argued for a shorter term of three to six months, claiming his sobriety and lack of prior discipline as mitigating factors.
The Supreme Court’s order requires Rodriguez to prove his fitness to practice law with a medical evaluation before reinstatement and to comply with rules for suspended attorneys. He must also reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for costs related to the case.
The Disposition states:
“It is ORDERED that George L. Rodriguez is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years, retroactive to February 2, 2023, and until further order of the Court.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Rodriguez is an attorney in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He acquired his law license in New Jersey in 1981.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
