NCJ Number
183010
Date Published
1999
Length
18 pages
Annotation
These four papers concern the appropriate professional response when lawyers break laws, specifically with regard to drunk driving, changes in penalties for drunk driving and other changes in some State laws.
Abstract
The first article considers the responsibility of the legal community to take disciplinary action against lawyers found guilty of drunk driving. It discusses courts’ efforts to establish a nexus between the criminal conduct they are looking at and the profession, i.e., the meeting point of the crime and the practice of law, and the broadening of criteria for establishing a nexus. The second article examines Michigan’s amended Motor Vehicle Code, which now includes the crime of OUIL Causing Death. This offense is a 15-year felony, the same penalty as that for involuntary manslaughter. The third article discusses abatement of criminal conviction after death of the defendant, and includes case studies from several States. The fourth article discusses double jeopardy and the felony firearms charge, with case studies.