Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The Velveteen Ocelot

(131,621 posts)
40. Each state has its own rules and procedures, so that's where the info would be.
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 03:20 PM
Feb 2020

The process for disciplining Barr would probably involve a filing a complaint with the attorney licensing agency in the appropriate jurisdiction (D.C., maybe Virginia) specifying the particular rules of professional conduct he's alleged to have violated. For example, from the DC rules:

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:

(a) Violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;
(b) Commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;
(c) Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;
(d) Engage in conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice;
(e) State or imply an ability to influence improperly a government agency or official;

(f) Knowingly assist a judge or judicial officer in conduct that is a violation of applicable rules of judicial conduct or other law; or
(g) Seek or threaten to seek criminal charges or disciplinary charges solely to obtain an advantage in a civil matter.
https://www.dcbar.org/bar-resources/legal-ethics/amended-rules/rule8-04.cfm

Usually those complaints come from judges or other lawyers. In D.C., lawyers are required to report violations of the rules of professional conduct.

Rules of Professional Conduct: Rule 8.3--Reporting Professional Misconduct
(a) A lawyer who knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects, shall inform the appropriate professional authority.
https://www.dcbar.org/bar-resources/legal-ethics/amended-rules/rule8-03.cfm

Bueller? Bueller? Anybody?

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Barr disBarred? Sure rhymes well... at140 Feb 2020 #1
Sign petition? True Blue American Feb 2020 #7
Sure, the least I can do! nt at140 Feb 2020 #13
I signed. Aristus Feb 2020 #18
Thanks to both of you. True Blue American Feb 2020 #19
Don't bother. Ms. Toad Feb 2020 #24
Listen to Ms. Toad, folks. marybourg Feb 2020 #31
Done! SallyHemmings Feb 2020 #28
I have sent to others Bev54 Feb 2020 #36
I don't think the AG must be an attorney pdxflyboy Feb 2020 #2
it's a very complicated question NewJeffCT Feb 2020 #10
May be not required by law but, at140 Feb 2020 #15
It's not like he's following the law so does it really matter? progressoid Feb 2020 #30
Well he/she is "supposed" to follow law as the chief at140 Feb 2020 #38
Yeah, those quaint notions are a thing of the past. progressoid Feb 2020 #39
You must be a licensed attorney to provide legal opinions Sanity Claws Feb 2020 #27
Best question yet! world wide wally Feb 2020 #3
I think it's because all internal mechanisms in the legal trade count on honesty and honor Dennis Donovan Feb 2020 #4
Maybe because the ABA doesn't have that authority onenote Feb 2020 #5
I'm a bit out of my element on this, but wouldn't he be a member of a local bar? Liberal In Texas Feb 2020 #9
Yes - Ted Lieu referred Barr to the DC and Virginia bars NewJeffCT Feb 2020 #12
Exactly. TruckFump Feb 2020 #17
They threatened to a few weeks ago, but nothing happened. Frustratedlady Feb 2020 #6
Disbarment takes longer than "a few weeks." Ms. Toad Feb 2020 #25
Because the ABA doesn't license attorneys; it's a lobby for lawyers gratuitous Feb 2020 #8
Correct! RT Atlanta Feb 2020 #11
Or other state licensing authorities. marybourg Feb 2020 #33
Politico - former barr boss [under Bush] Ayer on barr . . . empedocles Feb 2020 #14
ABA doesn't have that authority. It's a voluntary group. Tommy_Carcetti Feb 2020 #16
Barr is getting worried, True Blue American Feb 2020 #20
FWIW, NYC Bar Association calls for investigations: Leghorn21 Feb 2020 #21
I've wondered the same thing. If he is disbarred he no longer qualifies to be the AG. AJT Feb 2020 #22
Untrue...there is no Constitutional requirement that an AG be a lawyer... AncientGeezer Feb 2020 #41
OK, got it. Not the ABA. Liberal In Texas Feb 2020 #23
Because it has no authority to do so. n/t Ms. Toad Feb 2020 #26
The ABA doesn't handle lawyer discipline. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2020 #29
Disbarment True Blue American Feb 2020 #32
I know. I practiced law for years The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2020 #35
My post was for those True Blue American Feb 2020 #37
Each state has its own rules and procedures, so that's where the info would be. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2020 #40
Thanks True Blue American Feb 2020 #42
The ABA doesn't disbar people wryter2000 Feb 2020 #34
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why in holy hell doesn't ...»Reply #40