Legal Ethics
Judge Has Lawyer Handcuffed to Client, Jailed
Posted Jan 30, 2008, 04:03 pm CST
By Molly McDonough
An Oklahoma judge jailed an attorney after accusing him of lying about his client hiding a witness in a domestic violence case.
Oklahoma County District Judge Twyla Mason Gray sentenced lawyer Derek Smith to four days in jail for contempt, the Oklahoman reports.
The 36-year-old lawyer was handcuffed to his client then led away.
The underlying case involves the trial of Jason Gregory, who is accused of assaulting his girlfriend, Brittany Jaspersen. The woman didn't show up in court Monday to testify in the case.
When Judge Gray asked if Smith talked to the victim about appearing, Smith told the judge he had no such conversation. But according to the Oklahoman, Jaspersen and Gregory now claim that Smith advised Jaspersen not to show up.
Smith reportedly told the judge that he only advised Gregory that his girlfriend couldn't be arrested if she didn't show up.
"It was my legal opinion,” Smith is quoted saying. "It was not my intention to secret her.”
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