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Jack Thompson Facing Disbarment Trial

pwizard2 writes "Gamepolitics reports that controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson faces the start of an ethics trial this morning, a process which could ultimately see him disbarred. The review board has set aside the entire week to hear details on the case. 'Over the weekend, Thompson turned to the Florida Supreme Court in an apparent effort to block this morning's trial from moving forward. In one court filing Thompson asserted that he was willing to accept a 90-day suspension of his license to practice law. The embattled attorney claimed that such an offer had been on the table, but that the Florida Bar was now seeking his permanent disbarment.'"

10 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Cry me a river by faloi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Should've taken the 90 days when he could, it sounds like. With all his antics, I think a disbarment is pretty much in the cards. The biggest question is, and I don't know enough about the process to know whether this could happen, if he can get accepted into the bar anyplace else.

    --
    "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
    1. Re:Cry me a river by michrech · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Actually, since several major media outlets have already used him as an "expert", I have a feeling we'll see just as much of him. Hell, with the way he's acted, I have a feeling he'll turn into a Cindy Sheehan, so to speak. I fully believe he'll gather up a group of similar-minded people to protest everything he can, and I'm sure he'll do everything in his power to keep showing up on news segments after more school shootings.

      No, I don't think he'll go away. I think we'll hear even more out of him. "Ohh.. The gaming industry feared me so much that they manipulated/bribed people to get me disbarred!"...

      Bah..

      I also see it as if someone else gets in there and does the same thing, people will just be like, oh look, another Jack Thompson. I doubt anything will really change if he does get disbarred other than we wont have to hear about him as much. Instead, he'll just start writing letters to the editor and blogging, but his creditability will be shot so it wont matter.
      --
      bork bork bork!
    2. Re:Cry me a river by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Considering that a lawyer may (conceivably during my lifetime) be privy to my secrets (attorney client privilege), control my finances (trust funds),, act as a representative for my interests in negotiations, or be called upon to explain or negotiate contracts, I'd want someone who could keep a secret. could refrain from embezzlement, and keep his or her cllient's interests at the forefront.

  2. Re:WHY?! by coolGuyZak · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Legally, no.

  3. Save Jack! by poena.dare · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Jack Thompson is one of the best things ever to happen to Penny Arcade, the ERSB, Gaming Journalism, and communist pedophiles who make snuff films. He makes such a spectacular punching bag that we need to keep him around. Be warned, the guy who ends up taking his place might have a clue, and then we'd be fucked.

    1. Re:Save Jack! by Bandman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I always hear people saying this, but I don't agree. I just can't.

      The arguments aren't flawed because of the people spitting them forth. The arguments are flawed because the premise is ridiculous.

      Video games don't turn impressionable kinds into raving maniacs any more than ultra-violent Warner Brothers cartoons did, or playing cowboys and indians did. The premise is flawed, but there's money to be made and TV time to be had in putting it forth, and there will be as long as scare tactics are used to cajole an uninformed public.

        No, don't worry about whoever replaces Jack in this fight. The next person will look just as ridiculous, but it'll be because of what they say, instead of how certifiably crazy they are.

  4. Re:Is there joy in having your opponent removed by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Do you feel that people should be held accountable for their actions? This disbarment trial is due to specific grievances that have been filed against him. If he is found guilty of those, then he loses his license. It's not like this is something that "just happened" to him. This whole process is a direct result of actions that he has chosen to take.

    As for your "I mean really he's been fed by the media to a certain extent" comment, remember that more often than not, he sought out the media as a platform to pound his chest (and bible). Again, his actions, not anyone else's.

    --
    This guy's the limit!
  5. Re:WHY?! by oahazmatt · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I hate Thompson as much as anybody, and he may well deserve to be disbarred, but I don't think it's fair to do so for the reasons stated.
    You don't think it's fair that someone be punished for slander or libel about the distribution of child pornography?

    Remember, until some evidence proves otherwise, it is an unfounded claim.
    --
    Those who believe the Internet is private,
    find their privates are on the Internet.
  6. Re:Is there joy in having your opponent removed by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I mean really it's not like he's truly evil

    Yes, he is. His actions speak for themselves -- and I don't mean just because I disagree with his opinion, I mean I despise his methods.

    I know other lawyers who really are truly evil, the worst kind of people, who I think should burn in hell.

    And so is he.

    Now, I wouldn't condemn anyone to burn in hell, if there were an alternative. But this isn't hell, it's only unemployment.

    Jack is someone who felt they found their cause in life, it's just that his cause positions him such that he's an opponent to those who partake in the enjoyment of action games.

    I'm an opponent of people who require and produce DRM. That doesn't mean I'm willing to slander, sue, and outright lie every chance I get. Jack is willing to do all that and more.

    Yes he's an annoyance, but take away they guy's career completely, especially when there's such worse out there practicing law.

    Oh, I agree, there are worse who should be gone. But that doesn't excuse Jack.

    Wouldn't just some kind of restraining motion to limit his outbursts be sufficient?

    We tried that. He violated his restraining order.

    Should he lose his right to practice his profession?

    Yes, absolutely. Not because I'm vindictive, but because the way in which he practices his profession reflects poorly on the whole profession -- and that's saying something, when we're talking about lawyers. And because there are people who will take him seriously simply because he's a lawyer -- say someone goes to him for legal advice. Should they have to suffer just so Jack won't have to find a new job?

    Say it was murder. We don't always jail people to punish them -- sometimes, we jail people because they are actually a danger to society.

    The only remaining question is why it took so long.

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
  7. Oh PLEEEEEASEEEE be the anti-game authority!!! by PhoenixOne · · Score: 3, Insightful

    An easy to discredit 'authority' of video game violence.

    "Interesting point Mr Thompson, but isn't true that you have been found in a court of law to be a habitual liar? One who will say any crazy thing to try to push an agenda?"

    --
    Spell cheek you've failed me four the last thyme!