Editor's note: Anything wrong with the court not further punishing this guy? He is still allowed to practice law after the behavior noted in this article? This lawyer had no fear of consequence. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Des Plaines lawyer convicted in retrial on contempt charge
A Des Plaines attorney whose contempt of court conviction was sent back to Cook County Circuit Court on appeal was convicted today when a judge found he had abandoned his defendant and a jury to attend to other business.
Judge Martin Agran told Wayne Adams he found the evidence convincing that Adams failed to notify the judge or any other court personnel in 2011 that he was leaving to attend a real estate closing, rather than try his client’s traffic ticket case.
“You made a wrong choice,” Agran told Adams during a hearing in Rolling Meadows branch court.
Since Adams had already served time, Agran gave Adams a pass on any further punishment, including fines.
“Two days in county jail served, the fine is paid,” Agran ruled.
The re-trial saw Adams defending himself as the original trial judge, Alfred Levinson, testified for the prosecution.
“I think you did insult the court. You walked away from a jury trial with jurors picked and waiting,” Levinson testified under questioning by Adams.
Levinson originally ordered the contempt citation on Oct. 14, 2011, when he learned Adams was in downtown Chicago instead of Rolling Meadows. Another attorney took over for Adam’s client and she was found guilty of an improper turn.
Levinson then presided over a contempt hearing in November, 2011, found Adams guilty and sentenced him to jail. Adams had asked for a substitution of judges, saying Levinson was prejudiced, but was denied.
Adams appealed the case. The appellate court said a judge other than Levinson should have heard the contempt case and it was sent back to Rolling Meadows branch court for re-trial.
Outside the courtroom, Adams defended his decision to leave the courthouse that day. He said he could have been subject to a malpractice claim had he not shown up for the real estate closing, which he tried to reschedule.
“I did the best I could,” said Adams, a former Des Plaines police officer and alderman.
triblocaltips@tribune.com
Twitter: @TribLocal
Judge Martin Agran told Wayne Adams he found the evidence convincing that Adams failed to notify the judge or any other court personnel in 2011 that he was leaving to attend a real estate closing, rather than try his client’s traffic ticket case.
“You made a wrong choice,” Agran told Adams during a hearing in Rolling Meadows branch court.
“Two days in county jail served, the fine is paid,” Agran ruled.
The re-trial saw Adams defending himself as the original trial judge, Alfred Levinson, testified for the prosecution.
“I think you did insult the court. You walked away from a jury trial with jurors picked and waiting,” Levinson testified under questioning by Adams.
Levinson originally ordered the contempt citation on Oct. 14, 2011, when he learned Adams was in downtown Chicago instead of Rolling Meadows. Another attorney took over for Adam’s client and she was found guilty of an improper turn.
Levinson then presided over a contempt hearing in November, 2011, found Adams guilty and sentenced him to jail. Adams had asked for a substitution of judges, saying Levinson was prejudiced, but was denied.
Adams appealed the case. The appellate court said a judge other than Levinson should have heard the contempt case and it was sent back to Rolling Meadows branch court for re-trial.
Outside the courtroom, Adams defended his decision to leave the courthouse that day. He said he could have been subject to a malpractice claim had he not shown up for the real estate closing, which he tried to reschedule.
“I did the best I could,” said Adams, a former Des Plaines police officer and alderman.
triblocaltips@tribune.com
Twitter: @TribLocal
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