Civil Case Turns Criminal as Lawyer Allegedly Punches Lawyer Who Called Him Stupid, Bald

A 46-year-old Philadelphia area lawyer was briefly jailed and manacled last week after allegedly punching an opposing counsel who reportedly called him stupid, bald and an unprintable word.

Authorities said the Thursday incident, which was captured on a surveillance camera at the Lackawanna County Courthouse, showed 46-year-old Michael Rauch throwing three roundhouse punches at John Fisher, reports the Citizens Voice.

Rauch was briefly jailed afterward and taken in handcuffs and leg chains to be arraigned before he was released on $10,000 unsecured bond. He was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, the newspaper reports.

Fisher, who practices in Scranton with Rinaldi & Rinaldi, declined to comment.

The underlying case concerns an auto accident.