Jack Thompson update

Posted by Dan on July 29, 2008

Soon to be disbarred attorney Jack Thompson has a new website: http://www.copycatviolence.com/ though there is nothing there at the moment. Thompson was recently recommended for permanent disbarrment by a Florida Bar Judicial Referree. His disciplinary hearing is now on the Florida Supreme Court’s docket, who, in our opinion, are likely to split the difference between the Referree’s recommendation of permanent enhanced disbarrment and $40,000 of legal fees, and the Florida Bar’s recommendation of 10 years disbarrment. Our guess is that he’ll be slapped with life disbarrment, but with the option to reapply for his license in 20 years. Given his age, it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to practice at that point, so it has the intended effect, while saving a little face for him (though to be honest, we wonder how much of a consideration the Court will give to that, given he is probably the single most egregious continuous ethics violator that the Court has ever seen, and his antics have crossed several states and ruined the careers and reputations of some reputable Florida attorneys), and it gives the court a little flexibility.

On the other hand, they may, given the chilling nature of his actions, decide to come out with a strong statement that his actions won’t be tolerated. We think that it’s about a 60-40 at this point, leaning towards a harsher punishment.

If you are attending PAX 2008, we’ll have a special segment in our panel on legal issues in computer gaming about Thompson, with thoughts from expert Tom Buscaglia of the IGDA, who is very familiar with Thompson over the years.

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