Jack Thompson Faces Trial Before the Florida Bar Today
Jack Thompson Faces Trial Before the Florida Bar Today
November 26, 2007
Controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson faces the start of an ethics trial this morning which could see him disbarred.The Florida Bar is pursuing several complaints concerning Thompson's professional conduct in court cases against the video game industry.
As reported by GamePolitics, Thompson's bid to block the trial failed last week when U.S. District Court Judge Adalberto Jordan dismissed his suit against the Florida Bar and Judge Dava Tunis, the referee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to preside over the case.
Thompson's attempt to add myself and the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) as co-defendants in that federal suit also failed.
Over the weekend, Thompson turned to the Florida Supreme Court in an apparent effort to block this morning's trial from moving forward. In one court filing Thompson asserted that he was willing to accept a 90-day suspension of his license to practice law. The embattled attorney claimed that such an offer had been on the table, but that the Florida Bar was now seeking his permanent disbarment.
A second document appeared to outline a lawsuit against the State of Florida, which has authority over the Florida Bar. Thompson claims that the Bar's pursuit of him is motivated by his Christian activism and is designed to silence his outspokenness.
UPDATE: GP called down to the Florida Bar this morning and learned that the entire week has been set aside to hear Thompson's case. Following arguments, referee Judge Tunis has until December 21st to issue a ruling. Extensions are possible, however, so the end result could come even later than that date.
GamePolitics Poll: Will Jack Thompson be disbarred? Or will he beat the Florida Bar's case against him? Be sure to vote. If you're getting your GP via RSS, jump over to the main page. The poll is located in the upper right sidebar.
Comments
Ah, good point - I hadn't realized that none of my listed options were mutually exclusive. So then, we have d) all of the above.
If he was prepared to get the 90 days suspension, it means that he's running out of ideas. He finally faces his achilles' heel: facing people that aren't as gullible as those he faced before.
He thought that he could do all he wanted with his "attorney" brand and get away with it. He WON'T get away with it. Not after calling his fellow bar attorneys and judges corrupts and criminals with no proof nor motives.
Dangerous people are forever dangerous after all.
He's up on ethics issues. He's implied that judges on the case are incompetent and out to get him on top of that. In legal filings he's made it clear that the only rules Jack Thompson follows are the rules of Jack Thompson... Laws be damned!
If he had merely thrown this side of himself up on GP or other media sources then he might have a chance to get away with that slap on the wrist. However, between the legal filings with gay porn and other stunts it's clear he knows as well as the bar that he's in deep. I agree with everyone here that his saying he'd voluntarily agree to a 90 day suspension of his law license clearly shows he knows he's lost. When has Jack EVER admited defeat or being on the wrong side of an argument?
Jack is done. This anti-gamer chapter is over and no one is about to shed any tears over that.
Personally, I think he will get disbarred, but only temporary.
They're finally breaking out the big guns on JT. This has been a very good day, I see.
This is a man who proclaimed not facing sanction for sending a judge gay porn a win, when it was just barely sneaking away from trouble he got himself into without any sort of gain in the whole deal.
The thing is, that to God, there is no "degrees" of sin. It is very simple, boolean-like in structure. Either you are 100% perfect in every thought, word, action, feeling, and word, or you are a sinner. How much someone sins is irrelevant. If you ever made one mistake or failed on God's law in the slightest, in your entire life, you are screwed. As Paul's passage reads, which you quoted, "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." Emphasis mine. There is no list or hierarchy of sins. Jesus had even explained that simply hating (and not acting on the hate even) someone is equivalent to murdering that person. God is perfect, and requires perfection. And I don't mean going forward, I mean in the entirety of a person's life. The good thing is that Jesus paid for it all, he lived the perfect life we could never lead, and died to pay for all sin -- it's all said, over, and done, paid in full. As Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father, except through me." (John 14:6) All it takes is belief, and absolute trust in Jesus, and a person is saved.
Honestly, it is for God to judge people, not people to judge people on this. Only God knows if someone will oppose Him to his or her dying breath. Up until that moment, anyone can turn back to God, yes... even Jack Thompson could. Even when Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the thieves with him had faith in Christ, and was promised he'd be with Christ in paradise. "Deathbed confessions" are possible. Honestly, I hope that Jack does turn a new leaf. But, if he doesn't, what God has in store for him is far worse than anything I could ever think of.
It's the same God in both Testaments. There was a very specific purpose that the Old Testament people played, and they had a very different covenant with God -- they follow His Law, and He gives them wealth and prosperity. If they fail to follow His law, He will punish them up to the fourth generation for it, unless they repent and turn back to him immediately. The Old Testament people couldn't even keep to follow God's Law from one generation to the next. The New Covenant was made with Jesus, and it is very simple. Trust in Him, the Christ promised from old, and throughout all of the Old Testament, promised to Abraham and even to Adam. Where the Old Testament people looked forward to the future promise of the Christ, the New Testament covers the time that exists up through now, which is after the fulfillment of the promises that were given.
And as much as we may dislike their tactics, they play within the boundaries of the law and leave it at that.
As must the Bar. As much as I'm sure they'd like, merely slapping JT for "being an ass" is only going to lead credence to the "they're out to get me" line he's stringing. So they can only nail him for times that he's violated actual Bar rules. Things that are already in the complaints, like disobeying judge's order, questioning judges' ethics and integrity within legal documents, etc.
Unfortunately, his actions outside of a courtroom/docket/legal docs that merely embarrass the Bar are unlikely to have much sway when it comes to judging his conduct.
Believe it or not, lawyers do have a right to make disparaging comments about judges, etc. Just not usually within the confines of practising law. So he can make such comments in letters to the editor, but not as part of a court filing.
With a decision currently scheduled by December 21st, can you imagine what kind of Christmas it will be in the Thompson house if the call is that Jack is disbarred either permanently or for some substantial length of time?
I can already imagine that it couldn't have been a very pleasant Thanksgiving, with Jack losing his pre-emptive case to stop this just beforehand.
I intensely dislike Thompson. He's a liar and extremely unethical. He has committed behavior against Dennis and others on this site (and elsewhere) that is tantamount to stalking. He has a continuing tendency to only acknowledge information that supports his extremely tenuous case, and treats it like gospel, while disregarding totally any information against his case, solely for that reason. He also claims to represent my religion while everything he says and does is full of hate and lies.
When he's disbarred, he'll deserve it.
But if anything, I feel pity for his family. They deserve a better Christmas than this. Maybe if we knew what system Jack's son had, we could get him Madden or something.
My apoligies. I am at best uncertain about the christian faith. Mind you I was raised attending but never payed as much attention as I probably should. Due to an accident a few years ago (my son died) my connection with the church and God became strained almost to the breaking point. Needless to say I had alot of questions as to why a loving and compassionate god would take the life of a child.... sigh. Sorry
These questions were never answered (doubt they could be) so I became detached and evolved into a paganish agnostic. There are many things I do not know. The more I have learned the more I find I did not know. The world and the universe are mind staggering.
I do not have anything against those of faith nor those that chose not to beleive, it is a matter of personal choice. If having faith gives you strength then that is good in itself. None should even attempt to take such away.
Mid you I percieve things from my own (limited) point of view, know I am not without bias and opinion, so can acknowledge that others do as well. Respect is earned usually by showing it.
Mind you I do have a personal dislike for those that feel that they need to attempt to shove their beleifs down my throat. JBT claims he does things in the name of god... hhmm this is not the god that I was given to understand. If he is acting in the name of his diety it would follow that his god is: rude, underhanded and vindictive. If you do not beleive as he does then you are wrong (gamers), 'ware the crusades.
On the other hand those like Pandralisk (spelling) that claim to have knowlege of things beyond that of mortals. He speaks from confusion and hate that there is no god/higher power... (I fear that I might have gone that path myself and am glad I did not). He however does offer respect, all others are wrong. Neither of these types offer anything outside themselves. Demanding that others come to them and accept what they beleive. This is NOT worthy of respect.
...... The law is said to be blind and judge only on actions and facts, this is an ideal worthy of respect. Jack tries to twist those ideals by shoving off the blame of his actions on anothers (his religion). I find that strongly distasteful..
My lack of KNOWING is more honest then his twisted faith.
He will need to stand before the florida bar and answer for his actions and If there is a god that judges then he will judged in that domain as well. I do not share much pity for him.
He deserves to be censured (he has admitted this) and should I think be disbarred. This will give him time to face his mistakes, live out his regrets and maybe to make things right with his god and the people around him.
As must the Bar. As much as I’m sure they’d like, merely slapping JT for “being an ass” is only going to lead credence to the “they’re out to get me” line he’s stringing. So they can only nail him for times that he’s violated actual Bar rules. Things that are already in the complaints, like disobeying judge’s order, questioning judges’ ethics and integrity within legal documents, etc.
Believe me, I fully appreciate that the Bar has restrictions on how and why it can discipline its members (otherwise it becomes something worse than just a mouthpiece). It is my belief however that Jack's continually questionable legal proceedings and actions more than constitute enough to have him disbarred. Someone mentioned that he went and talked to plaintiffs (?) without their legal council present. If true, that's about as unethical as can exist, I believe. And the Bar has the duty IIRC to maintain a basic standard of ethics within their profession.
Lighten up! Dear god, where did he attack you so badly in there? Can you honestly not take anything? It's amazing that when Thompson uses obviosly disengenuine threats as proof in cases, people go nuts and think he's ridiculous. Scuzz pokes a little fun of you (and purposefully makes himself look dumb) and you throw you tattling on Dennis. Honestly, get a funny bone and grow up. The both of you, really.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183343.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestne...
Headline:
Sparks fly at BBFC Manhunt 2 appeal
Rockstar Games argues that the game should never have been banned in the UK, but ratings body insists the line must be drawn somewhere.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
As for his logic, he's been told not to threaten the posters at this site, he was even told not to come back through a cease and desist AND a ban, and he still persists. If he has it in his head that what he's doing is right, then his behavior will not change.
Negative Ghost Rider
It's actually from the always funny Billy Madison.
the actual "line" is: Eric drinks his own pee.
Written on a chalk board by Billy as a response to Eric's complex mathmatic formula during a compitition.
This is has been a running thing for a while now, since GP has gained more notoriety, and JT had been allowed back for a toturous time - the discussion level has gone way, way down. I usually avoid the JT threads for that reason - long time GPers have been down this road before, we know that JT has nothing of substance to offer, and his tune hasn't budged.
I can only hope he's disbarred, because no matter what Christian Persecution Complex he suffers from, and no matter how he tries to spin it, being disbarred will stymie JT in no small way. But, I doubt. He'll wriggle out this somehow.
Anyway, people who want a blow-by-blow probably won't be happy, if a bunch of lawyers set aside a week for something - it will take the FULL goddamn week. I wouldn't expect this case to close this year. As GP said, the Judge has until Dec. 21st, and that's far to close to consumer-mas for us to realistically expect that time-table to hold, especially with JT's penchant for "Emergency Extensions," or "Emergency Relief," or whatever.
Are there any documents yet that would be publicly accessible? I like to see what's going on, and depending on how slow/fast the day of work is, it sometimes is even enjoyable to read them. At the least it's better than face time while the higher ups decide on the next project to start.
I don't have anything handy at the moment, sorry.
I was just thinking, if JT does get disbarred Dennis might have to slap him with a restraining order. I say this because it seems that JT is either obsessed or absolutely in love with Dennis (ewww... Read JT's wiki quote page; nearly half of them are about Dennis. Scary.) Something like his disbarrment might push him over the edge, and anyone who has seen Fatal Attraction knows what that leads to.
No need to apologize, just knowing they're not available yet helps, so thanks for the help. Denis should probably look into the restraining order too, Thompson already shows traits related to being crazy regardless of what his past psych evaluation said and it's always better to be safe then sorry.
@ masaokun
I don't believe more than 2-3 people here make and actual connection between JT and real Christianity and the few who do are ignorable and generally troll-like if no full fledged trolls. I myself was born and raised in a "Christian" family, but unfortunately my parents were the sort of fanatics that say one thing and do another in the name of their religion. Now that I am older and wiser I know the difference and respect true Christians while disrespecting the fanatics, and this goes for all religions since you can find crazies anywhere you look. The only reason why we have these JT's and whatnot in America is because Christianity is the main religion here and when you have the same % of crazies but a bigger population you're bound to have more of them get exposed.
However, that's not going to help him in any way if he loses all ability to wield a license to practice law as if it's a weapon. And, should he be permanently disbarred, despite any response Jacky Boy makes, even a vile excuse for a human being (such as he) cannot stop such a day from being a great one for justice.
As for the likelihood of the aforementioned taking place, I remain positive that his tactics will be for not.
So, if he gets disbarred, for Jack Thompson Day, we can quote our favourite cases, while trying to set of awesome pyrotechnics in our FPS of choice.
Oh, go cry me a river! :P
I would prefer it if he were to receive a permanent disbarment. One can dream.
That would presuppose he had some kind of understanding of the law.
Also, I'd like to note that most court cases are settled through agreements. If there was an offer on the table, I think it's a virtual certainty that Thompson and the Bar will reach an agreement. I doubt he's going to get permanently disbarred, despite my hopes.
Is there an online repository of all of Thompson's filings? I'd be interested in reading them myself, and I don't like having to rely on GP posting them in the news posts.
I've never understood this. Being persecuted for being Christian in America, especially the south, is like being persecuted for being gay in San Francisco or being persecuted for being a geek at MIT.
Anyways, here's to the day we get trolled by "jack thompson, ex-attornery."
I do not beleive Mr. Thompson will be disbarred, and I beleive that no matter the punishment it will be a "major win" over the bar and the industry.
(Kinda like Ralphie's father's Major Award in that Christmas Story movie)
#1 is a bag of marshmallows, to roast over the burning remains of Wacky Jacky's career.
#2 is a prediction: once the disbarment hits, Jacky will be on here soon afterwards, claiming that either
a) they are playing right into his hands, and they don't know how good this is for him,
b) the kid gloves are now off, as he is no longer bound by their code of conduct anymore (not that he followed it in the first place), or
c) he will be attempting to appeal or bring up charges against the Bar for their "unconstitutional actions" or some such, and has retained the services of some mom&pop law firm to sue R* for some random thing to lift his spirits
Bets on which is most likely? Or, for more entertainment value, add your own!
That all depends on how threatened JT feels. I'd bet good money he plans to use every loophole in the book to try to worm his way out of this, and when he's finally exhausted all other possibilities, he'll take what the Bar has to offer. My hope is that the Bar doesn't put up with it, and permanently disbars him.
I'm not going to try to call this ATM though, it's still way too early to predict anything.
And that is precisely what he is.
ROFL
1 A Christmas Story reference = 1 intertubes. You win!
@ Apokalypse:
Seriously, I think it's going to be all three of the above, if he gets disbarred. Just one of those things, y'know?
There's all kinds of different things to think about with this, though, that makes it really difficult to predict the outcome:
- Professional organizations really don't like to kick members out if they can simply discipline them,
- How the Bar will react to the swamps of filings Jack's made,
- How Jack will conduct himself in court,
- How Jack will conduct himself outside of court with respect to the trial,
- Whether or not Jack has some legal loophole up his sleeve,
Just to name a few. An awful lot of variables in this one.
That is a strong possibility. It would not surprise me if that is the case. This is probably a lot deeper than a couple of video game cases. He does have a medical malpractice job. There may be several complaints streaming from that as well.
That would be a Pastafarian.
During the gay marriage debate, he said something like "We love you" as his supposedly placating remark to the opposition. My first thought:
Isn't that what family abusers do? Tell their victims (even in mental and verbal abuse situations) they are abusive because they love their victims? Even physical and sexual abusers tell their victims that they love them and are doing the abuse because they love them.
And that comment during the VGXPO debate where he makes the smart remark (not a compliment) about thinking it was supposedly a "friendly debate"? How many friends do you claim are on drugs? Or refer to with negative terms ("morons" being one of many)? Or try to create negative stereotypes about because you don't like something that your "friend" likes?
Classic acts of an abuser if ever there was one. And he calls THAT the act of a follower of a "good" religion of ANY kind?
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
@ApokalypseNow
Hey, I'll bring the chocolate and ghram crackers...mmmm, s'mores of ruination.
I think I will go with:
"Ask Again Later"
Anyway, I expect to see this case dismissed or at least end with Jack still able to call himself a lawyer. I also expect to see him on here later celebrating and mocking us. In situations like this I am definitely a "glass is half empty" kind of guy, sorry.
I just don't see him losing his license for good, regardless of how appropriate it would be...
I'd say "no" to "will he be?" but probable that he'll only be suspended, if anything.
Does he DESERVE to be disbarred? Certainly. Dishonorable and unethical to the core is John Bruce. But he isn't the first such lawyer to be allowed to continue to practice. He also isn't the first to be disbarred either.
And, in the end, even if he is, his activism won't end. He'll just have another "conspiracy theory" to throw around as part of his activism.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
...wait... so /that's/ why he says he has way more victories than losses...
The Bar's pursuit of him is in no way motivated by his activism. It is motivated by the nature of his activism. He has ignored and broken rules, insulted people, lied and brought false allegations against people. He has attempted to use the law as a crude club, and whenever he fails he proceeds to hurl more insults and allegations. These are what have motivated this trial, but for some reason he is absolutely blind to any wrongdoing on his part. Apparently, as long as it is the Lord's work, then the ends justify the means according to him.
Rules are rules, the law is the law, your beliefs do not affect them. Should extremist Islamic terrorists be arrested, or let to go about their business because that would that be motivated by their religious activism? Should Warren Jeffs have been allowed to continue to arrange sex between minors and older men because of his religion? You are free to believe and act in any way you wish, up until you break laws or rules. That's where Jack Thompson falls down. Just because he believes he is right, that none of the rules apply to him.
It will be a victory if he is not disbarred. If he is disbarred, it will be bad news for the Floriqa ( ;) ) bar and he will become the "martyr" he has always wanted to be.
For being a Christian, he sure doesn't act like one. Vengeful, spiteful, hateful little man. Jesus would be ashamed to have him as a follower...
"Find out all this and more in the next exciting episode of DRAGON BALL ZEEEEEEE!!!"
Sorry. It just had to be done. Yes, i am a gigantic nerd. XD
Ruination s'mores, eh? I'm down.
"Anyways, here’s to the day we get trolled by “jack thompson, ex-attornery.”
ex-attornery == ornery ex-attorney? :D
Sounds about right!
It proves yet again that Thompson slept through law class.
By becoming licensed, he agrees to abide by the rules of conduct attached to that license. If he want to run his mouth off, he's allowed, but he's not allowed to keep his bar license at the same time. These complaints are not to "shut him up", but to "shut him up in his capacity as a licensed Bar member".
Tear up your bar license, and these lawsuits/disciplinary hearings will disappear. Well, until you commit slander or libel... but that's another matter...
@ApokalypseNow
The beer! WHY has no one mentioned beer?! I'll bring!
I don't want to, but I am obliged by internet law....
Is his power level over...*snicker* 9000?
Jack will most likely turn the charm on full force, act like a decent human being long enough to survive, and get to keep his license. Then he'll come back here with a new IP and scream "Another victory against the video game industry and your Censor in Chief! Hooah!" or something to that effect.
Don't hold your breath for a win on our behalf.
Nah, it's 0.001.
There is a possibility on that as well. If Judge Jordan had dropped the hammer on that one, then it would be one more case in the docket that Mr. Thompson would have to play off. By letting it go, and letting it go in the manner that Judge Jordan did, he effectively exonerated himself from any 'bias' he might have against Mr. Thompson, and, at the same time, prevented one more legal case fro Mr. Thompson to ride on before he had to face the Bar. The Judge, to my understanding, was furious at first, but perhaps realized that everything Mr. Thompson does will come to light during the meeting with the Bar. So, why go at him head on, when you can hit him from the side with his own steaming pile bad conduct.
He'll pull some crap, and it will get dismissed quickly and the slippery slope to oblivion for his career will be one entertaining struggle to watch.
Bye jack, I wish I could say its been a good fight but youve alienated too many people with yuor hatred for this to be anything more than justice.
I'm also willing to wager that, if JT walks away from this with his license intact, he won't be completely in the clear. The collective crosshairs of the FL law community may well be set upon him, and if he doesn't clean up his act in the future he may be dragged in front of the disciplinary board a second time, and the second time around they'll likely be much less forgiving.
Not only has that already stopped happening on Fox (as i personally noted in his last two appearances on the network) but i doubt he'll get much success with what he's doing without his lisence.
I mean, come on, who takes the word of a lawyer that is no longer a lawyer? (Besides the attorneys of Boston Legal, lol)
@ Quad9damage
The only reason he got off for that is because of this very trial. I wouldn't be surprised if that little stunt got mentioned in the laundry list of other violations he's committed. And considering Judge Jordan oversaw that case as well as this one, I have a feeling he's going to mete out the harshest punishment possbile, as he's clearly shown that he is unwilling to put up with JT's crap no matter how charming JT is.
And to to those who say he'll be an even bigger threat once he's disbarred, why? How will that make him any more effective (or ineffective) than he was before? Like someone here once said, a disbarred lawyer is equivalent to a defrocked priest. No one, especially the media, will go near him after this, and they were already starting to sour on him after V-Tech.
The only thing he could do after being disbarred would be to start a movement or a cult of some kind like Jim Jones, Fred Phelps or David Koresh, but I don't see that because who would follow him? He doesn't really have the kind of seductive charisma that Jones or Koresh had. Also, his ego's just too big and everything else I've observed of his behavior suggests to me that he fancies himself more of a lone wolf type, preferring to act on his own rather than have any allies or followers around him as he probably believes they would just weigh him down.
I really am hoping he does get disbarred, because then it would be both an eye-opener and a valuable lesson to his son about what being an asshole will get you.
I didn't mention it mostly because I'm trying to figure out which beer goes best with both s'mores and schadenfreude.
Guinness goes surprisingly well with chocolate, so the s'mores part is covered, and I imagine it'd be a good compliment to taking pleasure in the misfortune of others... then again, for the latter part, I was thinking the hops in an India Pale Ale would be appropriate, but would not mesh so well with the chocolate. Suggestions?
Stick with the black stuff. I'm a big Guinness fan.
It's like freakin' Christmas came early this year (here's to hoping I don't get coal in my stocking)
If it comes to that, just have a barbecue with the contents of your stocking.
yes, nothing soothes the burning ache of a loss like tasty, tasty barbequed ribs.