ABA Journal

Why do I get the feeling that these two decided to do this after watching the movie “Bad Teacher”?

By Darwinian Capitalist on 2012 06 20, 3:19 pm CDT

Wait, how is being locked outside of the school after tennis lessons classified as “false imprisonment”?  I can see if the kid was locked inside the school and the parent could not get the kid out, but being locked outside?  Most schools lock all doors except for main entrance after a certain time.  And tennis courts area would not be near the main doors.  So these “lawyers” think being locked outside is being “false imprisonment” material… quick everyone when a retail store closes and locks you out so you can not buy anything at that time, SUE!!!

By Hawk on 2012 06 20, 3:55 pm CDT

I’m sure they will leave with the respect of the Easter candy community.  Two more of our wonderful colleagues who have done so much for the image of the profession.

By B. McLeod on 2012 06 20, 6:12 pm CDT

I bet when they entered into law school did they ever think they would do something so moronic.

By Lou on 2012 06 20, 11:20 pm CDT

Life and career can be so funny sometimes with shortcuts and things that seemed to be a good idea at the time . . . and it all comes crashing down in a dramatic saga a la darth vader and the death star.  A severe lifestyle change from riches to rags - the deserved and very public contempt of our profession and the retribution of our society.

The school volunteer should soon be able to buy anything she needs with the generous settlement that is forthcoming.  Esquire should NOT have skipped the excellent instruction offered at ucla both on torts and contracts.

By FE Jordan on 2012 06 21, 11:17 am CDT

Well, the Easters obviously haven’t watched any police dramas recently or they wouldn’t have used cell phones to fake the call to the police.Why do I get the feeling that the Easter’s son is a royal PITA, but that his parents are of the opinion that he sh*ts gold?

By BMF on 2012 06 21, 2:41 pm CDT

I’m wondering the extent to which the shareholder’s law firm might be pulled into this fiasco.  In the event, for example, the cell phone belonged to the firm, or other firm resources and technology were utilized to concoct the scheme, can the firm be held liable?  What if the shareholder confided in a colleague about his and his wife’s intentions?  More importantly, as shareholders, will a civil suit be filed against him and the firm?  There is more to this story….

By Oliver Wendell Holmes MMXII on 2012 06 21, 3:19 pm CDT

after losing their law licenses, perhaps going to prison and paying large fines, how will these two make a living???  Hopefully, their parents have lots of money!

By Brainiacs on 2012 06 22, 6:14 am CDT

So the couple just happen to have some extra drugs laying around the house and decide to share them with the volunteer.  Maybe they used them first and were impaired, only defense I can think of.

By flatlander on 2012 06 22, 8:03 am CDT

Parents upset over perceived failure to supervise seek insane revenge.  Sounds a lot like the first Friday the 13th movie.  And these two seem about as stable.

By Jason Voorhees on 2012 06 22, 8:12 am CDT

See http://www.tulanelink.com/tulanelink/bodenheimer_box.htm

By Billow on 2012 06 22, 9:38 am CDT

@ 7.  I learned in Workers Comp class that the employer probably won’t be held liable if the employee was acting independantly, outside the scope of his employment even when using company vehicles or equipment. It would appear that this would be the case in this situation, without knowing more facts.

By Jan on 2012 06 22, 9:43 am CDT

I’m not surprised that these two love birds somehow found each other. Holy smokes.

By Yankee on 2012 06 22, 10:16 am CDT

“Jill Easter had unsuccessfully sought a restraining order against the volunteer, claiming that the woman was harassing and stalking her and had allegedly told other parents at the Easter boy’s school Jill Easter was “psychotic” and “unstable,” according to the latest L.A. Now post.”

I assume that truth is an absoulte defense, right?

By JBax on 2012 06 22, 10:34 am CDT

Wow. 

Also, always lock your car doors and when conducting criminal activities, learn to use burner phones.

By Sansa on 2012 06 22, 11:26 am CDT

On the plus side, there will be two new job openings for recent law graduates in the Orange County CA area. As a current student, thanks a lot and to the rest of the morons like these two, keep up the good work, there are many students who want jobs.

By sillyrabbitt on 2012 06 22, 12:23 pm CDT

Just out of curiosity, prior to reading about this incident, if a coworker told anyone here that they were going to get even with the psychotic teacher’s aide who was mean to his/her kid, would you believe them if they said they were going to put drugs in the volunteer’s car?

By BMF on 2012 06 22, 12:34 pm CDT

“Jill Easter had unsuccessfully sought a restraining order against the volunteer, claiming that the woman was harassing and stalking her and had allegedly told other parents at the Easter boy’s school Jill Easter was “psychotic” and “unstable,” according to the latest L.A. Now post.”

Well, Jill, you certainly showed HER. I’m sure the words “unstable” and “psychotic” won’t be used to describe you ever again.

By Jade on 2012 06 22, 1:18 pm CDT

JBax @14 - you read my mind!

By BamBam on 2012 06 22, 2:03 pm CDT

Just remember, Silly Rabbit: Tricks are for kids.

By Paul the Magyar on 2012 06 22, 3:38 pm CDT

It appears that Easter was egged on.

By NOW JERRY BROWN on 2012 06 22, 4:14 pm CDT

Yes, Jan #12, this is one frolic gone bad.  And, Jerry #21, that is a PUNishable offense.

By Paul the Magyar on 2012 06 22, 6:32 pm CDT

Wow. What can I say? If you don’t know how to commit crimes, then don’t commit them. Wouldn’t have been easier to change the kid’s school?

By Anna Gray on 2012 06 22, 10:28 pm CDT

You know -there is nothing that makes me sicker or wanting to vomit more than Officers of the Court, the “Easter,” in this instance, allegedly trying to set up a volunteer school worker on drug charges. That’s just evil!  More importantly it does not inspire faith in our judicial system. Equally as bad and making me break out in hives is the fact that they are arrogant enough to think they can get away with it.
Their actions lead me to have serious concerns about what they were taught in “Liars” “oops” Law School.  It suggests an ingrained lack “Professionalism in their training.” What are Law student being taught, by who and how?  Are they even being taught about ethics or ethical conduct? Or are they being taught how to cover their butts, throw their weight around and intimidate the “great unwashed masses.”  I guess the title of that course should be, “How to frame, intimidate and throw your weight around for fun and profit.” Lord save us from the want a be with more money than sense.
Seriously I hope that the Easters are disbarred. They have no business being Attorneys at Law. Further I hope the victim files a tort and is awarded a substantial punitive award.

By Laurice Tatum on 2012 06 23, 4:07 am CDT

Crim was my first class session in law school.  My law professor stated that the reason people were in prison was largely due to the fact that they were stupid ... that criminals with any brains were not in prison; criminality as a condition of natural selection, so to speak.  So what do we make of two people smart enough to be admitted to and graduate from mega law school. pass the bar, and be hired by Big Law, but too stupid to understand that cell phones and video cameras are time/place/content ID stamps?  Or, two people who are educated and successful that don’t understand that the child was fine, no harm no foul; state-your-concerns-and-move-on-with-life ...  Perhaps we need to rethink the whole undergrad grades-LSAT scores-Socratic method= bar exam thing and institute a common sense test.  If you flunk there is always running for Congress.

By PaulEsq on 2012 06 23, 4:50 pm CDT

@ 25: These are definitely NOT the only attorney couples I’ve met with questionable parenting skills, and zip common sense. I was going to suggest that perhaps lawyers should have to take parenting tests and apply for breeding licenses, but I figured that wouldn’t go over well. : )

By BMF on 2012 06 23, 8:40 pm CDT

Congrats Easters.  You have just become a case for 1L Prof Responsibility in textbooks across the country.

By Law Prof on 2012 06 23, 10:32 pm CDT

@ 27: I’m thinking one of those Bar Exam mixed fact patterns for criminal law and procedure with ethics. With a little embellishment, you could easily come up with 12-15 bullet points for an essay.

By BMF on 2012 06 23, 10:46 pm CDT

Just as well that this one happened so far from the opening of the 2013 Peeps contest.  I’m afraid a diorama attempting to depict all this would just seem too busy.

By B. McLeod on 2012 06 24, 1:40 am CDT

Obviously, this is a highly unusual and ridiculous situation. But just curious why the teacher consented to the search? If the police happened to be less diligent (which happens from time to time especially in certain police departments) they might have simply charged her with possession and left it for the DA to figure out. 

Just say no thanks I’d prefer you didn’t search my vehicle. They would not have probable cause to search a vehicle based on one anonymous tip. Although then I guess this couple wouldn’t have been caught which is no good for anyone.

By Crim Pro guy on 2012 06 24, 7:12 pm CDT

#26 -  Of course it woudn’t go over well.  It makes too much sense.

#18 - Well said.

By Redneck Lawyer on 2012 06 24, 9:08 pm CDT

I think the Easters have a plan. They are going to prison to make a change and they know their child will be taken care of. There has got to be a plan because no one can be so dumb.

By Karma on 2012 06 25, 4:30 pm CDT

I feel sorry for their kids with such messed up parents!

By Pocahantas on 2012 06 25, 4:33 pm CDT

In response to By PaulEsq’s commen on 2012 06 23, 4:50 pm CDT. Well said, additionally it should be noted that there is a increasing trind within Professional ranks to use and rely on psycological testing and background investigations to deturmine the quality of a candidate. 

In respose to By Crim Pro guy’s comment on 2012 06 24, 7:12 pm CDT,  about why the teacher consented to a search. My thoughts are that she has bought into the propaganda - hook line and sinker that the “nice policeman is your friends and their to help you.” “Yea fat chance that she understands the way of the world of law enforcement.” She’s in her own little world thinking well I have nothing to hide so look all you want Mr trustworthy policeman. I know I can count on you to do the right thing and protect the weak and innocent.

By Laurice Tatum on 2012 06 28, 3:52 am CDT