Regular readers of SPOnG will be familiar with the shenanigans of Florida laywer, religious zealot and anti-violence-game crusader, John Bruce Thompson.
Well, Jack Thompson has been told by the Florida Supreme that he can't be trusted to file as a lawyer unless another lawyer 'in good standing' counter-signs his paperwork.
The latest ruling from the court states:
The same document finishes:
The details of why the Supreme Court instigated the action are available in in court dockets, the links to which can be found here.
The order to show cause was filed in February and is précised as:
Some of the reasons given for the sanctioning of Thompson include:
The entire ruling can be found here.
It is important to note, however, that this does NOT mean that Thompson has been disbarred or that his status as a lawyer has been removed. We have no doubt that Thompson will appeal - whether this appeal will come in the form of...
...we're not sure, but we would not be surprised. This is because, according to the court's ruling this was the form of one his most recent filings. According to the court, "...Thompson pasted images depicting swastikas, kangaroos in court, a reproduced dollar bill, cartoon squirrels, Paul Simon, Paul Newman, Ray Charles, a handprint with the word "SLAP!" written under it, Bar Governor Benedict P. Kuehne, a baby, Ed Bradley, Jack Nicholson, Justice Clarence Thomas, Julius Caesar, monkeys, and a house of cards, and the motion concludes with a photograph of the cover of Thompson’s book, Out of Harm's Way."
See what NOT playing video games can do to you?
Florida Supreme Court's original paper
See also: Gamespolitics
Well, Jack Thompson has been told by the Florida Supreme that he can't be trusted to file as a lawyer unless another lawyer 'in good standing' counter-signs his paperwork.
The latest ruling from the court states:
"By order dated April 12, 2007, after submitting inappropriate and pornographic materials to this Court, Thompson was specifically warned that should he continue to submit inappropriate filings, this Court would consider imposing a sanction limiting Thompson’s ability to submit further filings without the signature of an attorney other than himself.
"Since that order, Thompson has filed numerous additional filings which led this Court to issue an order directing Thompson to show cause why we should not limit his filings or otherwise impose sanctions upon him for submitting frivolous filings. We now sanction Thompson."
"Since that order, Thompson has filed numerous additional filings which led this Court to issue an order directing Thompson to show cause why we should not limit his filings or otherwise impose sanctions upon him for submitting frivolous filings. We now sanction Thompson."
The same document finishes:
"We conclude that sanctions are merited on this record.
"Accordingly, in order to preserve the right of access for all litigants and promote the interests of justice, the Clerk of this Court is hereby instructed to reject for filing any future pleadings, petitions, motions, documents, or other filings submitted by John Bruce Thompson, unless signed by a member in good standing of The Florida Bar other than himself.
"Under the sanction herein imposed, Thompson is not being denied access to the courts; that access is simply being limited due to his abusiveness.
"Thompson may petition the Court, but may do so only through the assistance of counsel, whenever such counsel determines that the filing has merit and can be filed in good faith.
"However, Thompson’s frivolous and abusive filings must immediately come to an end. Further, if Thompson submits a filing in violation of this order, he may be subjected to contempt proceedings or other appropriate sanctions. All other pending petitions, motions, and requests for relief filed by Thompson are hereby denied without prejudice."
"Accordingly, in order to preserve the right of access for all litigants and promote the interests of justice, the Clerk of this Court is hereby instructed to reject for filing any future pleadings, petitions, motions, documents, or other filings submitted by John Bruce Thompson, unless signed by a member in good standing of The Florida Bar other than himself.
"Under the sanction herein imposed, Thompson is not being denied access to the courts; that access is simply being limited due to his abusiveness.
"Thompson may petition the Court, but may do so only through the assistance of counsel, whenever such counsel determines that the filing has merit and can be filed in good faith.
"However, Thompson’s frivolous and abusive filings must immediately come to an end. Further, if Thompson submits a filing in violation of this order, he may be subjected to contempt proceedings or other appropriate sanctions. All other pending petitions, motions, and requests for relief filed by Thompson are hereby denied without prejudice."
The details of why the Supreme Court instigated the action are available in in court dockets, the links to which can be found here.
The order to show cause was filed in February and is précised as:
"TO: JOHN BRUCE THOMPSON It appears to the Court that you have abused the legal system by submitting numerous frivolous and inappropriate filings in this Court.
"Therefore, it is ordered that you shall show cause on or before March 5, 2008, why this Court should not find that you have abused the legal system process and impose upon you a sanction for abusing the legal system, including, but not limited to directing the Clerk of this Court to reject for filing any future pleadings, petitions, motions, letters, documents, or other filings submitted to this Court by you unless signed by a member of The Florida Bar other than yourself."
"Therefore, it is ordered that you shall show cause on or before March 5, 2008, why this Court should not find that you have abused the legal system process and impose upon you a sanction for abusing the legal system, including, but not limited to directing the Clerk of this Court to reject for filing any future pleadings, petitions, motions, letters, documents, or other filings submitted to this Court by you unless signed by a member of The Florida Bar other than yourself."
Some of the reasons given for the sanctioning of Thompson include:
"Thompson’s multiple responses are rambling, argumentative, and contemptuous. He states that he “deeply appreciates” the show cause order and then argues that the Court is retaliating against him for embarrassing it and “pointing out some inconvenient truths” regarding itself and The Florida Bar.
Further, he contends that the Bar will likely investigate any lawyer Thompson selects to represent him. Also, Thompson argues that he has only been trying to get the disciplinary proceedings “back on track” and the Court is attempting to “yank” his license before the referee’s report is filed."
Further, he contends that the Bar will likely investigate any lawyer Thompson selects to represent him. Also, Thompson argues that he has only been trying to get the disciplinary proceedings “back on track” and the Court is attempting to “yank” his license before the referee’s report is filed."
The entire ruling can be found here.
It is important to note, however, that this does NOT mean that Thompson has been disbarred or that his status as a lawyer has been removed. We have no doubt that Thompson will appeal - whether this appeal will come in the form of...
"...'a children’s picture book for adults' that rehashes his previous arguments in illustrated form which he states was necessary due to 'the Court’s inability to comprehend' his arguments.
...we're not sure, but we would not be surprised. This is because, according to the court's ruling this was the form of one his most recent filings. According to the court, "...Thompson pasted images depicting swastikas, kangaroos in court, a reproduced dollar bill, cartoon squirrels, Paul Simon, Paul Newman, Ray Charles, a handprint with the word "SLAP!" written under it, Bar Governor Benedict P. Kuehne, a baby, Ed Bradley, Jack Nicholson, Justice Clarence Thomas, Julius Caesar, monkeys, and a house of cards, and the motion concludes with a photograph of the cover of Thompson’s book, Out of Harm's Way."
See what NOT playing video games can do to you?
Florida Supreme Court's original paper
See also: Gamespolitics
People:
Jack Thompson
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Comments
PistolPete 20 Mar 2008 18:28
1/4
I wish that read "We now section Jack Thomson"... :P
but, to be fair, this is a fantastic beginning of the end for such a rational, thought-provoking man.
but, to be fair, this is a fantastic beginning of the end for such a rational, thought-provoking man.
Joji 20 Mar 2008 18:58
2/4
Yep, he sure does need sectioning. Hey, I'd even be prepared to fork out some change, for his jacket and padded room.
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king skins 20 Mar 2008 19:56
3/4
The man is pure comedy genius!
A picture book version of a court filling! Pure quality :)
A picture book version of a court filling! Pure quality :)
russ 20 Mar 2008 21:54
4/4
I love watching this nutbag commit career suicide. Its fantastic.