Attorney's Club Invitation Lands Client In Jail

This story does not involve an episode of alcohol addiction or even alcohol abuse - at least not by any technical definition of those terms.  Nor does it describe an incident in the United States.  But it does involve an interesting situation where an attorney and alcohol indirectly led to adverse consequences for the attorney's client. 

Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada.  It has a population of approximately 260,600 residents, or Saskatonians.  Sure the low temperature this Christmas is expected to drop to -27 degrees Fahrenheit.  But pictures of the City are beautiful making me want to visit in the summer. 

Perhaps it was the cold weather and the desire to be indoors without the need for travel that led to the following course of events.  When Saskatoon attorney, Dean Mattison, asked his client to meet with him to sign a legal document, he picked Finn's Irish Pub at the Park Town Hotel as a nice social meeting place.  There was just one problem:  His client was not allowed to be in any bars. 

His client was out on bail after being arrested on suspicion of drug-trafficking.  As a condition of his bail, he was ordered to stay away from any bars or nightclubs, abstain from alcohol and cell phone use.  He claims he reminded his attorny of that condition, but they kept their meeting anyway.  It is claimed by witnesses that once at the pub, the client even ordered a beer and used a cell phone.  The witnesses were none other than the police officers who had arrested the man earlier in the month, and were aware of the conditions of his bail.

The story is here.




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What are the DTs?

Delirium tremens or "DTs" is a medical emergency. It is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that causes such things as body tremors, agitation, irritability, confusion, disorientation, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Generally, the DTs occur when a heavy drinker stops drinking abruptly and experiences alcohol withdrawal. A heavy drinker in this case is one who drinks 4 - 5 pints of wine, 7 - 8 pints of beer, or 1 pint of distilled liquor a day. DTs are also common in alcoholics who have been drinking for more than 10 years.

As we stated, the DTs is a medical emergeny and medical intervention is necessary. Usually patients are treated with benzodiazepines, such as Valium or even Restoril. To read more about delirium tremens and treatment, see here and here.  For a scholarly article on alcohol withdrawal, see here.

And to answer a question that many people have: yes, withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal.   



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Alcohol Abuse v. Alcoholism

Lawyers - or anyone else for that matter - with a drinking problem may fall into the category of alcohol abusers, or alcoholics.  What is the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse? 

Alcoholism is when the person drinking is physically addicted to alcohol.  An alcoholic will continue to drink even though he or she has physical health or mental health problems; or drinking interferes with social, family, or job responsibilities.  Alcohol may control a person's life and relationships, because drinking may be all that person thinks about. 

Alcohol abuse is when a person's drinking leads to problems, but not physical addiction.  What kind of problems?  Well, someone may have too much to drink and get into a fight.  An isolated DUI may be another problem.  A person who begins to have many of these problems may be in danger of suffering from addiction.  When I was in the Marine Corps we used to keep track of a Marine's "alcohol related incidents" such as those mentioned above.  Whenever a Marine started to rack up more that two or three of these incidents that Marine would receive education in alcohol abuse prevention.   

To read more about alcoholism and alcohol abuse read here.



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Utah Attorney Ordered To Stand Trial For DUI - Again

A lawyer facing his sixth DUI charge was ordered to stand trial.  He had been arrested on suspicion of DUI six months after being released for a previous DUI conviction.  The story is here. 

The arresting police officer testified at a hearing that he saw a car swerve and pulled it over.  He smelled alcohol, and said the driver had glassy eyes and spoke with slurred speech.  The attorney arrested is a former criminal defense attorney.

 

The Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program reports that at least two studies found judges and lawyers suffer from a higher rate of alcoholism than the general population.  While about 10% of the general population suffers from alcoholism, for lawyers it is almost 20%.  That's why many states require attorneys to complete continuing legal education in the prevention of substance abuse in the legal profession.  Lawyers may also check with their State Bar association for programs offering counseling and treatment. 

 

 

 

 

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West Palm Beach Attorney Arrested: DUI

 

There was a rear end accident the other Friday in downtown West Palm Beach.  The investigating police officer smelled alcohol and noted the rear end driver had glassy and bloodshot eyes.  He refused to be tested.  The driver was arrested and it turned out to be none other than an attorney who once ran for circuit court judge. 

 

The story is here. 

 

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Missouri Attorney Arrested For Smuggling Drugs

Abusing drugs and alcohol is one way attorneys may get into trouble with their local bar associations.  Smuggling them is another way.  That’s what happened to a Missouri attorney.  He was arrested last month for trying to smuggle drugs into his the Cole County jail.

The story is here. 

Here's a video on how others have smuggled drugs into prison. 

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Drunk Attorney In Court Jailed For Contempt

What happens when attorneys shows up for court in Nelson County, Kentucky having had too much to drink? They get thrown in jail for contempt. At least that is what happened to one attorney in this report from WLBT.

The incident occurred in September when the attorney showed up at court representing the plaintiff in a domestic violence case.  During the hearing the Judge because suspicious and ordered the attorney to be tested for alcohol.  When the results came back positive, the judge had the attorney jailed for contempt of court. 

Alcohol abuse and addiction is quite serious when it is an attorney who has the problem.   The attorney’s conduct may not only bring discredit upon himself and the legal profession, but his actions may also put his client’s interests in jeopardy. 

 

WLBT.com - Jackson, MS

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