Violation Of Rule On Witnessses

The Indiana Supreme Court imposed a public reprimand of an attorney who assisted in a violation of a witness sequestration order

 Respondent represented a client who was under an order to have no contact with a victim or either of her two sons. After the client allegedly approached one of the sons in a park near the victim’s house, a bond revocation hearing was set. At the hearing, the judge entered a separation of witnesses order, admonishing the witnesses not to speak about potential testimony and not to discuss what happened in the courtroom after testifying. Both of the victim’s sons testified that the client was in the park in violation of the no contact order. At the end of the hearing, but while the separation of witnesses order was still in effect, one of the prosecutors heard Respondent give details of the State’s witnesses’ testimony to the defense witnesses.

The attorney had a record of prior discipline but believed that the witnesses she talked to would not be called. (Mike Frisch)