NEWS

Jack Thompson Disbarred

Joe Keiser's picture

By Joe Keiser

September 25, 2008

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The Florida Supreme Court has approved a report calling for the permanent disbarment of infamous lawyer Jack Thompson, effectively ending his legal career.

In a disposition from the judicial body, the court stated that it had taken particular note of multiple transgressions from Thompson, including that he “made false statements of material fact to courts,” “falsely and publicly accused various attorneys of engaging in a conspiracy/enterprise involving "the criminal distribution of sexual materials to minors",” and that he “sent courts inappropriate and offensive sexual materials.”

Thompson has a maximum of thirty days left to close out his legal practice and protect his existing clients, though disbarment could come earlier should Thompson complete these responsibilities before his time expires. Thompson will not be able to reapply for admission to the Bar following his disbarment. He is also required to $43,675.35 to the Florida Bar in costs.

The court mentioned in the disposition that it will consider a rehearing for Thompson, but only if the request is signed by a member of the Florida Bar other than Thompson himself.

Thompson has gained significant notoriety for his outspoken advocacy against violent games and the companies that make them. This has manifested most prominently in numerous dramatic clashes with Grand Theft Auto creator Rockstar Games, both in the legal and public forum.

Responding to the order in a press release re-printed at Kotaku, Thompson stated, “The timing of this disbarment transparently reveals its motivation: This past Friday Thompson filed a federal civil rights action against The Bar, the Supreme Court, and all seven of its Justices. This rush to disbarment is in retribution for the filing of that federal suit. With enemies this foolish, Thompson needs only the loyal friends he has.” He concluded, “Thompson always wanted to own a Bar. Now, armed with multiple US Supreme Court rulings that no state bar can do what it has done to Thompson, he is set to own that Bar.”

AaronMC's picture

YES! YES! YES!

Mojo's picture

Nah nah nah...nah nah nah...hey hey hey...goodbye!

BenKrotin's picture

I am genuinely going to miss this guy. Every industry needs a good villain.

If Jack Thompson is ever in Los Angeles, there's a cigar and a good round of discussion waiting for him here at 1988 Games.

Mikail Yazbeck's picture

A sizable victory for our industry! But let's not stop there.

tirminyl's picture

Hopefully, we can learn to stop giving this guy attention.

carg0's picture

it's about damn time. i've never personally seen a more ignorantly intolerant person hold such a public job with such blatant disregard for rules and regulations for as long as he's been allowed. the word "unbelievable" doesn't even begin to accurately describe him if you've follwed his "career".

I feel absolutely no swell of pity for this man who actually thought of himself as some sort of biblical figure in his quest to persecute and rid the world of an entire form of art with the poise and precision of an axe-wielding maniac.

like Nick said: "Good riddance."

JOHN LEIGH's picture

Good for him.Now plenty of time to get into his alter ego "Niko Bellic".

NickgamertagO1's picture

Good riddance.

Mark Rowe's picture

Thompson really does sound a bit mentalist in his statement. Bar bar bar bye!

Pascal_Clarysse's picture

... he then added, as to conclude: "Thompson hears voices inside of Thompson. Thompson want to plea insanity."