Rude And Condescending

The Florida Record reports that an attorney admitted in 1967 has been publicly reprimanded for “rude and condescending” treatment of a court officer.

From the referee’s report on the conduct

On February 7, 2017, respondent and his nonlawyer employee were present in county court in Brevard County, Florida. Respondent’s employee was assisting respondent by filling out a plea form for respondent to file in court that morning. While standing in the public gallery area of the courtroom, respondent’s employee reached over the bar separating the public area from the rest of the courtroom and began looking through paperwork on a table. A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to the courtroom observed respondent’s employee leaning over the bar and approached respondent’s employee. The courtroom deputy asked if she could help, and respondent’s employee advised she needed the last page of a plea form identifying herself as respondent’s paralegal. The deputy informed respondent’s employee that she had the wrong plea form in her hands. During this exchange, respondent interjected and advised the deputy that his paralegal was confused because the felony plea forms should not be kept in the courtroom where the misdemeanor criminal matters are handled. The deputy explained to respondent and his nonlawyer employee that felony proceedings occasionally took place in this particular courtroom. Respondent then began speaking loudly over the deputy and told her that if she wanted to say something she needed to direct her remarks to him because his paralegal was just doing her job. The deputy advised respondent that because his employee had reached over the bar, she needed to directly address the employee. Further, the deputy also needed to communicate that respondent’s employee picked up the incorrect form and wanted to provide her with the correct form. In a raised voice and demeaning manner, respondent stated, “We don’t really need your help. You’re a guard here. OK. You’re not the judge and you’re not the supervisor.” The deputy found respondent’s tone to be rude and condescending toward her to the extent that it undermined her authority, especially in light of the fact that other people were present in the courtroom at the time on unrelated matters.

The sanction was imposed on consent, (Mike Frisch)