Legal News

Judge sends lawyer to jail for tardiness

By Jason Siegel

There's an immeasurable difference between late and too late.

Defense attorney Stephen Hollingsworth was too late, too often.

A Los Angeles judge, frustrated with regular lateness and absences of Hollingsworth, put him in jail for two days after he showed up 35 minutes late in a T-shirt and rumpled suit, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hollingsworth was allowed out of jail to briefly to defend his client who is facing a murder charge. Court officials told the Times it was the sixth time he'd be cited for such behavior and possibly the first time a jail inmate has represented another jail inmate.

L.A. County Superior Court Judge John Cheroske plans to notify the state bar about possible disciplinary action against Hollingsworth. A bar spokeswoman told the Times that Hollingsworth is in their alternative discipline program that deals with substance abuse and mental health issues.

He's set to go back to court next month to find out if he'll be sanctioned further.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on June 06, 2008 (boomark / email).