Lawyer Held in Contempt of Court for Pretending to Masturbate

Can the law ever become too lenient? Everybody is familiar with the tag line “ignorance of the law excuses no one” and true to its strictest sense, no one, even those in privileged positions are excused from any of the provisions of the law. If you committed your transgressions and violated any of these provisions of the law, you are directly subjected to the scrutinizing eyes of the court. When faced with such a prospect, you need to protect yourself and get a legal professional to defend you.

Expectations for a Defense Lawyer

Who else do you turn to other than a defense lawyer? Typically, the government provides the services of a public defense lawyer should the person be financially incapable of paying for their legal counsel. Of course, a defendant with financial means at the disposal can definitely bring forth his personal lawyer.

Now, what are the usual thoughts that go through your mind when thinking about the services that a defense lawyer will provide for you? Are they not supposed to be the ones defending their clients against the impending punishment looming over their heads? Moreover, defense lawyers are also expected to keep abreast of the entirety of the list of laws which the Constitution or the Law of the Land embodies. Lawyers are also expected to carry themselves with dignity, professionalism, and style at all times as well. This entire concept has been entirely shoved to the side in the case of attorney Adam Reposa.

Defense Attorney Adam Reposa Crosses the Line

At 33, Adam Reposa, an Austin defense lawyer was charged with criminal contempt of court as he made the gross mistake of committing lewd gestures in the courtroom right before the eyes of County Court-at-Law Judge Jan Breland. Reposa allegedly aimed his simulated masturbatory gesture directly at Judge Breland and the judge found this act to be malicious and contemptuous, to say the least. As a result, the Austin defense lawyer was led out of the Heman Sweatt Travis County courtroom bearing handcuffs. For this misdemeanor, defense lawyer Reposa has been sentenced to jail for a period of 90 days. District Judge Paul Davis has stressed that he was proud to clear things out in order to “uphold the integrity of the judicial process”.

How Reposa gesture came about was while defending his client on the charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol. What the court didn’t expect was the dramatic turn of of events. In the course of representing his client, he suddenly looked directly at prosecutor Richard Gentry, rolled his eyes, and pulled off the obscene gesture during the pretrial hearing. Judge Breland found Reposa’s actions to be “intentional and contumacious conduct during the court’s review of the plea bargain offer to his client before jury trial.”

When Contempt is Part of the Legal Picture

In basic terms, contempt of court is a civil infringement with a criminal punishment. Retired Judge Davis was assigned to hear the complaint filed by Judge Brendal. Judge Davis clarified that contempt of court is a complaint filed against a persona whenever the court decorum is violated for any grounds applicable. The judge noted that Reposa seemed to be undecided on whether to admit his fault or justify his act because he reportedly did both things during the hearing that took place in the county attorney’s office. Reposa also tried to argue that he didn’t intend the gesture for the judge but instead it was meant for the prosecutor.

In case you were wondering, Reposa’s name is listed on the State Bar Web site as Adam “Bulletproof” Reposa.

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