Was Clinton ever disbarred for practicing law

[neuvocat]

in his own home state? Was he ever disbarred anywhere else? I'm trying to help settle an argument. Thanks for any help.

[PretzelWarrior]

1. I think he was disbarred from practicing law for a period of time

I think he was only able to practice law in Arkansas and the disbarment had an expiration at which point he could be a lawyer again.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. 5 years, as I recall,

dated from his being found in contempt for providing misleading testimony...was that in 1999?

[CDY]

2. Yes

Yes, but I cannot remember the details!

[AnnabelLee]

4. This article has some details

He was also disbarred from practicing before the SC.:eyes:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/10/01/politics/main313109.shtml

[papau]

5. No - but he agreed to not practice law for 5 years, and that end of his

ability to practice in Ark meant he could not practive in front of the USSC.

If he wanted to practice again after 5 years he just applies in Ark - no problem - and applies to the USSC - and is also unlikely to have a problem.

But the media would go nuts. They do not understand the term disbar. He is not disbarred from the practice of law. He is not disbarred in Ark. His lic is suspended in Ark. If he is admitted to other state courts he may be OK to practice in those state courts. Likewise as to Federal Courts. The USSC is a simple 5 year good behavior in your home state and is almost automatic as to admission after completion of the 5 years - a BIG HONOR - not! So April 2011 he should be back in business everywhere including the USSC - if he wants to.

He was not found in "contempt" or convicted of perjury (the special counsel said there was no case on the perjury given the matter was not material to any case to begin with ) for providing misleading testimony, but was fined from the bench for providing misleading testimony, and agreed to a 5 year suspension of his lic in Ark to end an ethics case there.

[VolcanoJen]

6. He was disbarred from practicing before the Supreme Court

His Arkansas law license was also suspended for five years. I'm not certain if President Clinton ever appealed these decisions. I believe the SCOTUS decision took place in October of 2001 and the Arkansas decision in April 2001, but don't quote me on that. :-)

Here's an older article from ABCNews.com regarding his bogus SCOTUS disbarring:

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/scotus011001.html

Excerpt:

The Supreme Court today suspended Clinton from practicing law before the high court and gave him 40 days to say why he should not be permanently disbarred.

The order likely means Clinton could not argue a case before the high court should he ever return to private law practice. Most lawyers who are admitted to the Supreme Court bar never actually argue a case there, but the right to do so is considered an honor.

The court did not explain its reasons, but Supreme Court disbarment often follows disbarment in lower courts. The court acted after it was notified by the Arkansas Supreme Court that Clinton's Arkansas law license was suspended for five years and he paid a $25,000 fine. The Arkansas suspension took effect in April.

[PurityOfEssence]

7. Yes and no.

He was never technically disbarred. As part of a settlement to stop prosecution--a plea bargain--he agreed to have his license suspended for a few years.

Technically, no court ever brought him to trial, convicted him of anything and then disbarred him. This is important.

It is accepted within the law that although settlements may be viewed as admission of guilt, they are not an admission or finding of anything.

Similarly, he has never been convicted of perjury, and frankly, although it's obvious he misled, since nobody ever defined "sexual relations", it's quite legitimate that short of intercourse, one could quibble and say "no" to the question. Republicans don't understand this because they can't get a blow job except through threats or ready money, whereas for many of us lefties, a slurp is often much easier from a woman who may like you, want to have some fun too, but may not want to "go all the way".

So, since you're arguing against a bonehead, you are correct and he/she/it is wrong: nobody ever "took away his license" and he was never "disbarred". He agreed to have it suspended to save himself and the courts trouble and money.

Now Poindexter WAS convicted on five or six felonies before a technicality overturned them. (There was no doubt about the guilt, but the proof could only be obtained from sealed proceedings.) Oliver North was convicted, but pardoned. It was never overturned or anything, he was found guilty.

Remember "the sleaze factor"? That was the Reagan Administration.

[papau]

8. If I could write better, I'd have written your post - Well said. :-)

:-)

[republicansareevil]

10. I thought they DID define "sexual relations"...

I thought the Court determined before his deposition (or whatever it was) that "sex" meant sexual intercourse? I thought that was part of the process that the lawyers agree on what terms mean ahead of time. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure about that.

[meatloaf]

9. NO!!!!!!

It may have already been stated, but as part of a settlement, Clinton agreed to his Arkansas Law license being suspended for 5 years. He then personally withdrew from the USSC Bar association.

He has to wait a few years, I forget how many, after he regains his Arkansas license before reapplying to the USSC Bar.