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Jack Thompson Walks Out On Hearing

Erik J writes "Apparently Jack had heard enough. The Florida Bar asked for an 'enhanced disbarment' in the disciplinary hearing of Jack Thompson, held earlier this afternoon. The recommendation means Thompson would be disbarred and prohibited from applying to practice law again for ten years, according to 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida spokesperson Eunice Sigler. Thompson's disciplinary hearing apparently ended in the attorney walking out of the courtroom after saying the judge did not have the authority to hear his case."

16 of 522 comments (clear)

  1. Ten years is unusual by hawk · · Score: 5, Informative

    I am a lawyer, but this isn't legal advice. If this even *could* apply to you, you would already be a lawyer . . .

    Ten years is unusual. I'm not even sure I've ever *heard* of "enhanced disbarment" before.

    By its nature, disbarment is permanent. In many (most?) states, an attorney can petition to be considered for lifting of disbarment after five years--but has a heavy burden; he must show that he is no longer a danger if allowed to practice. The fact that he is a danger was established prior to disbarment; disputing it would end the possibility of showing the needed change.

    Ten years, however . . . and that does *not* mean he gets the license back then, only that that is the earliest date at which he *could* request it and attempt to show fitness . . .

    hawk, esq.

  2. What not to do in a court room by buss_error · · Score: 5, Informative
    "Thompson's disciplinary hearing apparently ended in the attorney walking out of the courtroom after saying the judge did not have the authority to hear his case."

    .
    No matter how badly things go for you in court, no matter how much you dislike the ruling, no matter how unjust you feel you've been treated... NEVER insult a judge or be less than totally respectful for the process.

    And don't ever tell a judge they "don't have the authority". You'll be in a higher court soon. Judges don't like people being disrepectful of other judges, not even when the judge in question is wrong. Especailly when your own motives and reasons are (properly) called into question.

    --
    Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.
  3. The first rule of litigation . . . by hawk · · Score: 4, Informative

    The first rule of litigation is, "Don't p*** off the judge."

    Seriously.

    hawk, esq.

    1. Re:The first rule of litigation . . . by Cadallin · · Score: 4, Informative
      This should be blindingly obvious, but I'm always amazed at the number of people who make this exact mistake. Top two rules:

      1. Do NOT Piss off the Judge.

      2. Do not piss off your defense attorney.

      If you cause #1, you will cause #2, and you will be well and truly fucked.

      Oh yeah, #3 Do NOT testify in your own defense (And even worse, Do NOT insist against the best advise of your lawyer that you be allowed to). It doesn't matter how well you think you'll do, or how innocent you think your ass is. It is almost always (i.e. 99% of the time) a horrible idea.

  4. Re:Hasn't he... by peragrin · · Score: 5, Informative

    disbarring a lawyer is a long complicated procedure. Indeed this was his disbarrment hearing that he walked out on.

    In a prepared statement left with the court he called the florida bar association Fascists. While the final ruling isn't due until September(long process remember) I can't imagine a judge being called incompetent is going to help him any.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  5. Re:You probably don't want to hear this, but ... by nuzak · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'll be brief: I'm unapologetically ready and eager to gag and demean someone who himself crusades to do precisely the same of both to others.

    Jack Thompson was even involved in the 80's daycare scare (the "ritual satanic abuse") that ruined dozens of lives. For that alone, he is not simply strident, objectionable, or obstreperous, but really and truly evil. Schadenfreude may be shameful, but today I nonetheless feel the joy.

    --
    Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
  6. Pull a Reiser by Enderandrew · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your post can be summed up as "don't pull a Reiser."

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
  7. Re:Good ridance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, if only someone would invent parental controls.

  8. Re:Good ridance by Talez · · Score: 5, Informative

    In particular, what if games came with an age group flag when they were installed, and operating system users could also have an age limit specified, so that applications with a "18+" flag would not launch of a user configured as "13."

    You know that was such a good idea that every console maker decided to implement it as well as Microsoft with Windows Vista.

    It's really a non argument.

  9. Re:fp by glitch23 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I consider this a colostomy for the legal system (one less asshole).

    I get your point however a colostomy isn't actually the removal of the anus. I can't find what that procedure is called but the colostomy just changes the location for the function of the anus. No removal actually occurs from what I can tell.

    --
    this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. -- Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
  10. Re:fp by eldepeche · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, they do have a few convicted felons. G. Gordon Liddy, Ollie North...

  11. Re:Freedom of speech yes, abuse of due process no. by nomadic · · Score: 4, Informative

    They want to disbar him because he is an embarrassment and he's abusing the position of a law practitioner. He is also a menace to the society because of he is a lawyer, one of the several occupations whose words hold sway in courts of public opinion as well, and yet he has been saying stuff which clear does not represent the opinion(s) held by most of the other lawyers in Florida.

    Exactly. I'm a member of the Florida Bar, and when I took my oath (presumably the same one Thompson took) I was consciously binding myself to a certain standard of behavior, and agreeing to limitations as to what I can say and how I can behave. If I ever find those limits too restrictive I can resign from the Bar. What Thompson wants is to be able to use the tools available to him as a licensed attorney, but not follow the restrictions he agreed to when being given those tools.

  12. Re:fp by nomadic · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, they do have a few convicted felons. G. Gordon Liddy, Ollie North...

    North's conviction was overturned, so technically he's not a convicted felon. Of course he's an amoral, deceitful, arrogant swine who admitted under oath to breaking the law, but he's not technically a felon.

  13. Re:fp by thermian · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's called a Total Pelvic Exenteration, and it's probably the nastiest operation a woman can undergo.

    It's only for women though. I assisted on several in my former career, not a fun thing the help with, I can tell you.

    --
    A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.' - D. Adams
  14. Re:Good ridance by Dorkmaster+Flek · · Score: 5, Informative

    Uh, actually all three major consoles in this current generation (Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii) have parental controls built-in. The console can read the rating on the disc and you can set a maximum allowed rating. So yes, they do have the tools necessary to enforce what games their children play, and no, they don't have the right to prevent the rest of us from playing what we want.

    --
    I like to think of online DRM as something akin to a college -- you pay for lessons until you learn something.
  15. Consoles have controls too by vecctor · · Score: 4, Informative

    Consoles have parental controls as well:

    Here is handy instructions for each one:

    http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2006-12-28-parental-controls-consoles_x.htm

    --
    Why, yes I have been touched by His noodly appendage. And I plan to sue.