Jack Thompson, the Florida videogame lawyer-crusader that everyone
loves to hate, may see an end to his legal career – compliments of a particularly
obstinate Florida Judge.
Bucking the Florida Bar’s recommendation of a 10-year
disbarment, Judge Dava Tunis upped the ante and recommended
nothing short of a lifetime, permanent ban on Jack Thompson’s ability to
practice law in the state of Florida.
“Over a very extended period of time involving a number of
totally unrelated cases and individuals, the Respondent has demonstrated a
pattern of conduct to strike out harshly, extensively, repeatedly and willfully
to simply try to bring as much difficulty, distraction and anguish to those he
considers in opposition to his causes,” wrote Tunis.
“He does not proceed within the guidelines of appropriate
professional behavior, but rather uses other means available to intimidate,
harass, or bring public disrepute to those whom he perceives oppose him.”
Her recommendations come as part of a whopping
169-page document (PDF) that all but crucifies Thompson, citing him for his
conduct throughout a history of fighting obscenity in music, radio, and video
games.
Thompson previously
walked out of his a disbarment hearing, citing Tunis’ supposed lack of
authority to hear the case due to an “invalid” loyalty oath – Thompson and a
team of legal researchers claim to have found that “none” of Florida’s elected officials appointed since 2000 have a
valid candidate oath. Further, this supposed oversight violates a
handful of Florida criminal anarchy and treason statutes, including a law
against impersonating public officers regarded as a 3rd degree
felony.
The final verdict on Thompson won’t come down until
September, and, in the words of The Escapist,
“it seems very likely that his career as an attorney is over.” Even if
he is barred from practicing law, Thompson has made a healthy side career out
of public appearances and speaking engagements, appearing on everything from Fox
News to California University of Pennsylvania. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised
if he decides continues his crusade by proxy, using other attorneys to negate
the effects of a disbarment.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Thompson has had a long-running
beef with the Florida Bar, as well: in 1992, he attacked the Bar’s constitutionality
after accusing it of keeping a vendetta against him due to his religious beliefs.
He eventually settled that matter out-of-court, in return for a $20,000 check.