Facing Ethics Case, Judge Says Sorry for Jailing Young Attorney Who Blocked Efforts to Query Client
Now facing a legal ethics case after briefly jailing a young attorney last year, a Michigan judge has said he was wrong to react as he did to Scott G. Millard as the lawyer tried to help his client avoid answering the judge’s drug-use questions during an arraignment and bond hearing.
However, Ottawa County District Court Judge Kenneth Post shouldn’t be removed from the bench simply because of that one incident, his lawyer, Doug Van Essen, tells WZZM.
Attorney Josh Blanchard, who is a colleague of Millard’s at Miel & Carr, made the complaint that led to the Judicial Tenure Commission case against Post.
“He’s representing a client like he should and all of a sudden he’s handcuffed and in jail,” says Blanchard.of Millard.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Transcript: Told to Sit Down, Be Quiet, Lawyer Blocked Judge’s Drug Queries, Was Jailed for Contempt”
ABAJournal.com: “ACLU Backs Young Defense Lawyer Jailed by Judge for Asserting Client’s 5th Amendment Rights”
Grand Rapids Press: “Circuit Court judge tosses out contempt of court charges against attorney”