I’ll Be Barred For Christmas

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has suspended an attorney until December 23, 2014.

The story

On April 29, 2013, the Respondent drove to the home of his former spouse, let himself into the home and began talking about his sadness over their divorce. An argument arose about a bicycle in the garage and a struggle ensued that caused a superficial injury to the his former spouse’s leg. Neighbors called the police about the loud voices and [he] fled on foot when police cars began arriving in the neighborhood. He later returned and drove away, followed by the Tulsa Police Department. He refused to pull his vehicle over when requested and led the police on a high-speed chase. The officers used spike strips to slow the Respondent’s vehicle. He left his vehicle and began to run from the police. He was apprehended by and resisted a canine police officer. He was arrested, treated at a hospital for dog bites and then taken to the Tulsa County jail.

The attorney pled guilty to four misdemeanors and was suspended on an interim basis as a result.

There was mitigation

In the present matter the Respondent sought treatment and has followed up his treatment by attending Alcoholics Anonymous in order to maintain his sobriety. No clients were harmed by his conduct and he has recognized the seriousness of his actions and is remorseful for the disrepute it brought upon the legal profession. The Cooley and Bernhardt and Burns cases involved felony sentences; the Respondent is serving deferred and suspended sentences for misdemeanor violations. Each of these cases concerns the discipline of a lawyer whose conduct outside the setting of his professional practice brought disrepute and harmed the public image of the profession.

NEWSON6.com reported that he was employed by a public defender office.

Question: What can one do but resist a canine police officer who is apprehending you? You can’t obey their commands. (Mike Frisch)