“God Gave the Easy Problems to the Physicists”: Why I Don’t Do Math (And Why Your License Depends on It)

By: John Guidry

For a moment now, I want you to conjure up your best Carl Sagan sense of wonder. Remember his awe at the “unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in science”? Physics uses math to model the world. The right equations can predict how billiard balls, motors, or planets will behave. It seems complicated because these equations fill blackboards, but compared to people, it is easy.

Now, with even greater awe, imagine how useless mathematics is in biology—or law. As Noson Yanofsky notes in The Outer Limits of Reason, math isn’t good at predicting how a crowd will react or how a human will behave.

“Mathematics does not predict all phenomena. It only helps with predictable phenomena. Or, as it is slightly humorously phrased, ‘God gave the easy problems to the physicists.'”

I have a rule in my office: No Math. When a client asks me to compute their chances of success (“Is it a 79.3% chance?”), I won’t do it. Quantifying a criminal case gives a false sense of security. Any attorney who gives you a percentage is lying—or at least guessing.

We don’t use math; we use experience. We can’t predict the future, but we must be able to tell you the range of punishments available. We must be able to answer the simple question: “What Am I Facing?”

Did your attorney forget to tell you that your plea would cost you your license?

You might be able to withdraw your plea. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

The Case: Berrocales v. State (The 20-Year Surprise)

We are going to review the real-life case of Jose Berrocales.

• The Crash: Berrocales rear-ended a car, leaving the other driver paralyzed. Alcohol was involved.
• The Plea: He pled no contest and received 5 years in prison followed by probation.
• The Surprise: At the plea hearing, the Judge never mentioned a specific license suspension. But suddenly, the prosecutor stood up and asked for a Permanent Revocation.
• The Sentence: The Judge declined the permanent ban but revoked his license for 20 Years.

The Problem: Berrocales moved to withdraw his plea.

• His Argument: “I never would have entered the plea if I knew I would lose my license for 20 years. Nobody told me.”
• The Reality: Defense attorneys and clients often get so caught up in the prison time that they forget about the collateral consequences like driving.

The Ruling: The Judge Must Warn You

Fortunately, Florida law protects you from this kind of surprise. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.172(c)(10) requires judges to inform a defendant of any “mandatory license suspension” to ensure the plea is voluntary.

In Berrocales v. State, 2019 Fla. App. LEXIS 1250 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019), the Appeals Court agreed with Berrocales.

• The Error: The Judge warned him about prison, but not about the mandatory license revocation.
• The Result: The Court reversed the denial and sent the case back for an evidentiary hearing.

The Lesson: A license revocation is such a serious consequence that a defendant must be informed of it. If the Judge skips this step, the plea is invalid.

John’s 2026 Update: Smart IDs & Autonomous Cars

Note: In 2019, Berrocales didn’t know he was suspended until later. In 2026, your phone tells you instantly.

1. The “Smart ID” Notification In 2026, most Floridians use the Florida Smart ID app.

• The Change: The moment the Clerk of Court enters the suspension code, your digital license updates.
• The Trap: You can no longer argue “I didn’t receive the letter.” The State argues that the push notification on your phone is Actual Notice. If you drive 10 minutes after court, you are committing a crime.

2. The “Self-Driving” Loophole (It Doesn’t Work) Many clients ask: “John, if my license is suspended, can I just let my Tesla drive me?”

• The Law: NO. Unless the vehicle is a certified Level 5 Fully Autonomous vehicle (no steering wheel), Florida law still considers you the “Operator” if you are in the driver’s seat. If the car asks you to take over and you can’t because you are suspended, you are guilty of Driving While License Suspended.

3. Digital Plea Colloquies To prevent Berrocales errors, many courts now use Digital Plea Forms on tablets.

• The Safety Net: These forms have a mandatory checkbox for “License Suspension.” If the box isn’t checked, the system won’t let the Judge accept the plea. This protects you from “forgetful” judges.

Know the “Hidden” Costs

Prison isn’t the only punishment. If a plea deal sounds too good to be true, ask about your license. If they take your ability to drive, they are taking your ability to work.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s read the fine print.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.