Attorney Drives Drunk To Courthouse And Makes Sexual Advances On Court Receptionist
The Indiana Supreme Court has imposed a one-year suspension with all but 90 days stayed
On September 8, 2014, Respondent, who practices in Jackson County, drove while intoxicated to the Shelby County Courthouse for a scheduled small claims hearing. Upon arriving at Superior Court 2, Respondent made repeated physical sexual advances on the court’s receptionist. The judge and a security officer were summoned, a breath test was administered to Respondent, and the results indicated an alcohol concentration equivalent (“ACE”) of 0.15. The judge immediately convened a contempt hearing, during which Respondent had to lean on the rail in front of the bench to steady himself. Respondent was found in direct contempt and ordered jailed until his ACE returned to zero. As a result of these events, the small claims hearing for which Respondent had appeared had to be continued for another date and all other hearings scheduled in the court that day were delayed at least an hour. Respondent was charged with several crimes in connection with this incident and eventually pled guilty to operating while intoxicated (“OWI”) as a class A misdemeanor.
The attorney will be on probation for “at least” two years after serving the active suspension.
The Shelbyville News reported on the situation.
A report from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department stated that [Judge] Riggins found Robertson in contempt of court and Riggins requested Robertson be tested for alcohol. The report stated Robertson also acted inappropriately with a staff member by touching her inappropriately three times.
Robertson tested a .154 blood alcohol content on a breath test and failed several field sobriety tests.
“Robertson advised that (he) had been drinking on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Robertson stated that he had started drinking vodka at approximately 9 a.m. and drank about a pint of it. Robertson said he stopped drinking at approximately 11 a.m. Robertson said that sometime between 11:30 and 12 p.m., he left to come to Shelbyville for a court hearing,” the report states.
(Mike Frisch)