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Lawyer suspended after arguing cocaine enhanced…
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Lawyer suspended after arguing cocaine enhanced his cognition
November 7, 2024, 11:55 am CST
A former public defender accused of representing a consumer at a November 2022 preliminary listening to whereas below the affect of cocaine has obtained a suspension of a 12 months and a day. (Picture from Shutterstock)
A former public defender accused of representing a consumer at a November 2022 preliminary listening to whereas below the affect of cocaine has obtained a suspension of a 12 months and a day.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Courtroom suspended Erie, Pennsylvania, lawyer Nathaniel Edmond Strasser in a Nov. 6 order, the Erie Instances-Information experiences.
Whereas representing himself within the disciplinary case, Strasser targeted on the concept cocaine enhanced his efficiency as an lawyer, based on the Pennsylvania Supreme Courtroom’s disciplinary board. Its Aug. 7 report and advice was hooked up to the state supreme courtroom order.
Strasser raised the problem when cross-examining Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Chris Weber. The officer is a drug recognition knowledgeable who famous that on the day of the preliminary listening to in November 2022, Strasser was hyperactive and fidgety, his pupils had been dilated, his nostril was bleeding, and certainly one of his nostrils was hairless and infected.
Strasser examined constructive for cocaine use after Weber confronted him following the preliminary listening to. He was fired from his job as an assistant public defender.
Cocaine “will increase your consciousness, right?” Strasser requested throughout his cross-examination of Weber on the disciplinary listening to.
“Cocaine has a constructive impact on one’s cognitive skills in low doses,” Strasser continued. “My psychological consciousness was at a heightened state, not a decrease state.”
Weber acknowledged that Strasser “had extreme focus” on the day in query however mentioned it appeared that he was “specializing in 100 issues and couldn’t fairly determine what was necessary on the time.”
Strasser had additionally acknowledged that he wasn’t in a 12-step program as a result of his “issues aren’t actually habit.”
Strasser later employed a lawyer within the disciplinary case, acknowledged that he was an addict and sought substance abuse probation. The disciplinary board refused, nevertheless, to reopen the case to permit proof of his substance abuse and therapy from years in the past.
Reopening the case “would set an untenable precedent, as it might enable different equally located respondents to take their possibilities at a listening to, assess the result, and if they’re dissatisfied, reopen the file to current proof that was available to be offered however was not,” the disciplinary board mentioned.
Strasser “failed to simply accept accountability for his misconduct, lacked appreciation that his look at a legal continuing on behalf of a consumer whereas below the affect of cocaine was dangerous to his consumer and the integrity of the authorized career, and notably failed to precise any regret,” the disciplinary board mentioned.
A mitigating issue was that Strasser has practiced regulation since 2007 with no prior self-discipline.
Strasser’s lawyer, Philip Friedman, didn’t instantly reply to the ABA Journal’s e-mail in search of remark. Strasser didn’t instantly reply to a Journal voicemail.
Legal professionals and regulation college students needing assist for psychological well being points or substance abuse issues can contact their state lawyer help program. The ABA has revealed contact data right here.
