Florida Bar Seeks His Temporary Disbarment, Says Jack Thompson
Florida Bar Seeks His Temporary Disbarment, Says Jack Thompson
May 7, 2007
Controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson's difficulties with the Florida Bar continue.On Friday the anti-game attorney e-mailed GamePolitics what appears to be a copy of a writ filed with the Florida Supreme Court. The document reads in part:
The Bar has now demanded in writing that respondent Thompson accede to a 91-day suspension from the practice of law on the basis of his alleged unethical conduct... in
a) claiming that three families who are his clients are in fact his clients and
b) preparing expert witnesses for their depositions.
...this demand that Thompson receive the vocational death penalty is based upon The Bar’s secret collaboration with Blank Rome lawyers who represent Take-Two, the makers of the Grand Theft Auto murder simulation games.
It's unconfirmed, but likely, that the the "three families" referred to would be the plaintiffs in Strickland vs. Sony, Thompson's $600 million lawsuit against Grand Theft Auto publisher Take Two Interactive and other game industry defendants. The suit alleges that an 18-year-old who killed two police officers and a police dispatcher did so because he played Grand Theft Auto. A judge revoked Thompson's visiting status to practice law in Alabama in late 2005.
GP requested clarification from Thompson, but the attorney's answers didn't shed much light on the issue:
GamePolitics: So this would be the Alabama police families? Am I correct that the Bar’s position is they are not your clients because you have no pro hac vice status in Alabama? What’s the part about the expert witnesses? What are they claiming there? If you agree to the 91-day suspension is everything else dropped, i.e. all of the other Bar complaints that are outstanding? Is that the deal? Do you plan to agree to the suspension?
Thompson: I'm not suspended from the practice of law and won't be. I have no idea what The Bar is claiming in this absurd regard. I have no complaint in that regard because there is no complaint. This is all an over-reaching contrivance by The Florida Bar.
As previously reported on GamePolitics, Thompson is suing the Florida Bar in federal court. Thompson amended that complaint to include the Florida Supreme Court as well.
We'll post more info as we learn of it.
Comments
Thompson is, after all, the only certified sane lawyer in the state of Florida.
You think this is bad? Try watching SCO v. IBM. It's several years into court and there's still no sign of what SCO is actually suing over.
http://www.qj.net/Thompson-says-Florida-bar-wants-him-suspended/pg/49/ai...
'. This is the same Bar and the same Bar prosecutor that threatened Thompson with a psychiatric evaluation, just as it did fifteen years ago, with the result that The Bar’s insurer paid Thompson damages for that insanity, and Thompson was rendered the only officially Bar-certified sane lawyer in Florida.'
Simply because from the way it's worded it looks like Jack got compensation for being insane, and then once he was cured, he got a little certificate :)
Actually, I think it can be used against him. As I understand them, State Bars are essentially a club. The reason you take a Bar exam and join a State bar is to practice law in THAT state. You can't call yourself a lawyer nor represent clients if you haven't. The reason for this is to establish a level of professionalism.
Any actions you preform that discredit the bar or lawyers of the bar is grounds for disbarment. This primarily refers to actions in the courtroom. However, I can imagine them using his blatant and pathological unprofessionalism against him. If nothing else, it's a sign of how he may react in court.
I could be wrong, but calling a person who disagrees with you on national television, along with all the other events on national television, can't help his case. The claims of vast conspiracies against him should also be used against him.
All those childish asides and overblown, grandiose descriptions of everyone being against him -- seriously, I'm just waiting for an "LOL", "LMAO" or "OMFG". It's the next logical step.
Is this for real?
On the one hand, I hope it is because it stands as a shining monument of his instability.
On the other hand, the idea that anyone this totally bent could be licensed to practice law in America just terrifies the hell out of me. It is honestly disturbing to see any adult writing things like this.
I feel a bit ill.
I would say "I think we all know how that story ends", but I actually suspect there's quite a few people who don't know.
I'm not saying that it would amount to anything, legally. However, it could potentially do enough to discredit his stability if it were cited as acting in a manner unprofessional for a lawyer- not within the court, but as an example where the court can say to themselves "yeah, I saw him on t.v.- what an ass."
its not that simple. human nature can't stop chasing their enemy once its made.
moby dick for example.
JUST LEAVE US ALONE.
http://blogurself.com/blog/technology/ebay-xbox-360-issues/
But seriously though, I've said this before, but I'm kinda worried about him. It's fun to laugh at his gross incompetence and his cartoonish paranoia, but I think he might be well on his way to becoming a danger to himself and others. In all seriousness, when he gets disbarred, he might turn violent.
I'm sorry my comment has no actual content, I just really needed to get that out of my system. Preferably in public.
I find it disgraceful that he can still wriggle his way onto national television anymore actually.
I wonder when the baby in the sun will come out to laugh at us.
http://overlawyered.com/cgibin/mt/mtsearch.cgiIncludeBlogs=1&search=jack...
i did search for those of you who want to take look at jacks legal history
(overlawyered is a legal blog that talks basically about some of the insanity in our courts system
this link works lol
acting unprofessional on national TV by using the words “Idiot” and “Jackass"
I don't think that can count as anything against him (legally speaking) and if it does then it shouldn't. He was not practicing law when he made those statements, and the man is entitled to free speech.
But he hasn't filed it. If it don't have the court clerk's stamp on it, it basically don't exist. Jacko is just trolling GP.
"There are no tanks in Baghdad"
"I have no complaint in that regard because there is no complaint."
C'mon people, Jack said there are no claims.
I can't even begin to explain my feeling of disgust for this guy.
Honestly, even as a teenager, I can sense something is very wrong with Mr. Jack Thompson. I admit there is a certain amount of fear that I attain when I hear about him. The first question that pops in my mind, "What did he do this time?"
your right i made a mistake lol i dont know what i was thinking lol
Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking, but no. He's not crazy, or at least he didn't used to be. He's a *jerk*. You don't have to be clinically insane to ignore anything other people say if they disagree with you; that's an all too 'normal' human attribute.
But this... Jack *must* know that you can't write a legal document the same way you'd write a Livejournal rant. But for some reason, he can't help himself. I think, in all seriousness, Jack needs to see a counselor or psychiatrist to help work out some of his issues, because he's clearly losing it.
His actual words, beautiful.
But really, how can any judge reading this not agree with the suspension? Spouting crap about vast conspiracies and then including the information that you've been "threatened" with a psychiatric evaluation doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. How would the possibility of such an evaluation be considered a threat anyway by someone who's so desperate to prove he's sane?
On the subject of conspiracy theories, anyone else think this guy is in league with the pharmacuitical companies to raise their sales of painkillers? He must be gving everyone that reads these things headaches as they try to follow his 'logic'
I don't think JT has ever represented those 3... :)
Fought against, sued, threatened, cajoled, insulted, whined about... yes.
(as for the typo i couldnt resist) (if you dont get it check back on his filings a few cases ago on this site)
Did he at least amend it correctly this time? If we're getting to the point where Jack can't even file correctly, I think the industry can see a light at the end of Jack's delusional tunnel...
oh well if its true than 91 days will be like a summer vacation from the school of jack thompson!
He did blame video games for 9/11.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167843.html?q=thompson
Jack, if you're reading this:
1) If you are disallowed to practice law in Alabama, which you are, you can NOT claim that people in Alabama are your clients. People on this very forum have pointed this out to your repeatedly, but you responded with your usual backhanded hatred.
2) I hope this does go to a full trial and I hope it costs you your law license permanently. You are nothing but a sorry massacre chaser and an affront to lawyers everywhere.
If so, even though its for a short time, I'm so happy I could cry.
Who would possibly think its a good idea to submit a document to the courts dripping with sarcastic comments? How does this not go directly into the shredder when the court receives it?
It honestly boggles the mind.
On the other hand, if it gets really nasty, the judge could just toss it for being vague, incomplete, and "too broad reaching". It's happened before. The document was 100% bitching, and he forgot to include a claim, so the court rejected it...
JT clearly fails at law school, because while the Alabama order revoking Pro Hac Vice does not generate a complaint per se, it is automatically considered a valid reason for opening a disciplinary investigation into his conduct (according to both Alabama Bar rules and Florida ones).
Plus there's the whole fact that he's claiming to represent clients he's not legally representing. Doesn't matter which state it's in, he's still in violation of the Bar rules. Again, automatic grounds for investigation, no complaint needed.
I can just see the presiding judge shaking his head after reading that writ. It's pure schlock B-movie writing... only not bad enough to be funny.
"Its all a huge conspiracy! They are out to get me!" D:
Seriously... WTH is going on? The guy (Jack) is a complete nut!
1. Wow! his contact information was not included (or at least GP removed it.)
2. He sure waves that "Thompson was rendered the only officially Bar-certified sane lawyer in Florida." Flag around a lot. Isn't it true that the truly insane are the only ones that believe they are sane?
On a side note, can someone be commited into a mental hospital if a large group of people belive that he is a danger to himself and his suroundings? I frear that he is going to try and shoot someone and blame it on games just to exaust all his avenues to get the gaming industry.
The agreement was not to publicly file complaints against them for products they have yet to release, nor publicly make complaints about aforementioned products, sue them or in any other way prevent them from releasing their material; talk to people at shareholders meetings to publicly criticize Take-Two, or make comments of them committing wrongdoing; and must take up any legal complaints with Take-Two's attorney's.
Essentially, they shut him up good.
I'd say conspiring with Blank Rome and the Florida Bar justifies as them "committing wrongdoing", thus he breached the settlement already. That was faster than I anticipated.
He may as well say that Take-Two is involved. He's said it before, several different times.
"the authors of other actual Bar complaints filed against Thompson in order to facilitate their client’s marketing of adult products to children."
So, who will be the first to notify Take Two's legal department?
You forgot the first part- he can go around and publicly make a fuss to anybody that Take-Two is committing wrongdoing- but not directly to T2 or those who do business with them, like Shareholders, retail stores that sell their products. And he's prohibited from suing or threatening to sue T2 for released or to-be-released products by them or their subsidiaries, but he's perfectly welcome to scream and rant and whine and have a tantrum if he wants.
He must be dealt with in a single blow!!!
I don't think it ever quite sunk in for Jack that when he got kicked off the case, his clients became, at very best, people he could advise.
As for the Preparing Expert Witnesses, that doesn't surprise me in the slightest. The last thing Jack wants is, for example, his expert witnesses to admit that there is no evidence of a causal link, so he's probably trying 'spin' their answers, just like he tries to spin everything else he hears.
...Huh?
I'm guessing there's supposed to be a "not" in there?
Don't call him Jackhole. That is insulting to Jackals and assholes.
/b
As for the rest of the matter, if he does get suspended (And again, IF, Jacks a slick old weasle), 91 days won't be nearly enough to shut him up. Hello Martyr-dom.
BUT! Here's hoping he goes down! A Toast to Jack "Massacre Chaser" Thompson. *Lifts Sake bottle*
It's not blasphemous- it's natural to be worried about the mental security of a potentially unstable individual like Jack- who knows what he could do if let loose. He could seriously hurt/unsuccessfully litigate someone.
@MP
Somehow I doubt it. He COULD sue them, and hope to get another monetary sum, but a second psychiatric evaluation to discern whether he is fit to continue to perform as a lawyer might, in this case, discredit him enough. You have several different sources that say he's distinctly lacking in any professionalism whatsoever, public claims that there is a conspiracy out to get him with Take-Two, Blank Rome and the FBA working against him, and a shot history of violating gag orders, compelling a judge to revoke his Pro Hac Vice status, acting unprofessional on national TV by using the words "Idiot" and "Jackass", screwing up complaints through obvious submission errors, and all-in-all proving that something's not right with him.
So... I have to disagree. Religious motivation is no excuse- the courtroom has very little favor for religious motivation, hence the separatin of church and state. If a religion is driving you nuts to the point of doing something wrong, whatever, but it's not going to grant you special protection.
Og Thompson, you're out of a job, too.
I have children. They play games that would probably be considered violent. They are the most down to earth kids you could want to meet.
Games DO NOT cause violence. No more than violent movies, music or anything else does. This is just another way of saying "Not my fault... the devil made me do it".
Too many people are "sue happy", and I've never seen anyone so quick about making claims that have no backing as does Jack Thompson. It's a good thing he is a lawyer (currently) because no one else would take his case.
and finally:
Here is what worries me about this nut case. Hillary is buddy buddy with the guy. If she is elected President, he will be by her side filling her ear with his rantings.
I'm from Arkansas. I was born, rased and still live here. I have seen the Clintons in the public eye my entire life. I DO NOT like the thought of Hillary as President, not entirely, but mostly because of her association with Mr. Thompson.
I agree, posted at my site.....
Yes, Jack was an egotist, and yes, he ignored perfectly good and sound advice on perhaps hundreds of occasions because he put his own opinions and values first (not a wise decision for a lawyer). He insulted and belittled and bothered (in some instances harassed) people he had no real grievances with, and essentially claimed that every person that plays mature video games is a terrible human being (given that I both play mature video games and do my damndest to be a decent human being, yes, you better bet I find that kind of sentiment insulting).
...However;
Read that writ again, or the response he sent to this website. The man is literally losing his mind over this. Apparently he's even started messing-up extremely standard legal procedures lately. If the Florida opts to disbar him, his career is flushed down the toilet. I understand that it is extremely rare to be disbarred in one state but left with the ability to practice in any other.
I don't think, by reading his responses to the situation, that Mr. Thompson even thinks it's possible for them to take away his ability to practice. And while this is foolish, if they do take it away while he's under this assumption, it'll topple his while world like the house of cards it is. He'll be left miserable and probably feel like an old, alienated idiot.
Maybe you feel it's what he deserves, but as much as I myself felt insulted by Mr. Thompson, I know I was never felt 'put down' by it and certainly not impacted for any real length of time. You recognize that he's just full of himself, let it roll off of your back and refrain from listening to him anymore. I don't think his rhetoric has likely put anyone through a state of genuine misery.
Let him keep his license and continue living in his own imaginary world where games crank-out unstoppable killing machines as fast as a gamer can run a chainsaw bayonet through a drone. He's mostly harmless, with lawsuits that get tossed out of court and claims that no reasonable person takes seriously. He's the Patricia Pulling of our generation.
Maybe someone should just compile a 'Thompson Report', of similar calibre to Michael Stackpole's 'Pulling Report'? Better yet, why not film a feature-length documentary of the guy? Title it 'Pixelante', and go around interviewing all of his supposed expert sources to find out whether they really give him their 100% support, how they arrived at their findings, etc. Interview judges and other BAR members, to see what their opinions of Mr. Thompson are. Interview law enforcement, to see whether or not they agree that any escalations in criminal activity are directly related to youths playing video games (as opposed to, say, youths getting involved in gang activity).
Thompson accuses the game to have sexual content, which he believes to be unappropriate for a teen audience:
"[The] Sims 2... contains... full frontal nudity, including nipples, penises, labia, and pubic hair," Thompson said.
"The nudity placed there by the publisher/maker, Electronic Arts, is accessed by the use of a simple code that removes what is called 'the blur' which obscures the genital areas. In other words, the game was released to the public by the manufacturer knowing that the full frontal nudity was resident on the game and would be accessed by use of a simple code widely provided on the Internet," Thompson said in his statement.
Thompson went as far as to claim that The Sims 2 is delighting pedophiles with child pornography. He said that the nudity of the Sim kids is, "much to the delight... of pedophiles around the globe who can rehearse, in virtual reality, for their abuse."
The user "illspirit", administrator of the GTA fan page GTA Garage, claims that he was the one who informed Thompson about the posibility to remove the blur in The Sims 2 . Illspirit also warned Thompson, that the models in the game do not possess genitalia, which Thompson's news release suggests [1]. Thompson later admitted in a chatterbox interview, that he was misinformed about The Sim's 2 content [2].
If he is going to slander video games, he should use points that EXIST NOT FICTIONAL TRASH.