Tuesday, July 21, 2009

How NOT to practice law: lie to the judge

Suppose the judge calls for a hearing and you are not prepared. Here is what you should NOT do: do not tell the judge you can't make it that day because _______ (insert lie here.)

The Legal Profession Blog is reporting today that the Arizona Disciplinary Commission approved a proposed 30 day suspension followed by two years probation in a matter where the attorney had falsely advised a judge that he could not proceed to a hearing because he was due to appear in another court. The judge checked and found that the representation was false. The attorney admitted the misconduct and asserted in explanation that he was "emotionally frazzled" and unprepared due to a fight with his wife the night before the hearing and the theft of his briefcase.

Thanks to Mike Frisch of the Legal Profession Blog for the information.

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