Drunk Attorneys

[OKCMallen]

The police airing this footage is pretty bush league, IMHO.

Extremely.

[bornhere]

why did the warr acres PD release this video to the newsok crew? it seems unprofessional and tawdry.

I don't know what the law is specifically on this kind of video, but it may be covered by the Open Records Act, leaving the police with no choice but to release it if it's requested.

[Drake]

I'd be interested to know what went on with the 'impersonating a police officer' incident. I don't think he really impersonated an officer, but rather, he was showing that he was a financial supporter of law enforcement. Folks do that all the time. It is fairly well known that one of those "I gave money to the FOP in 2008" stickers is a great way to get out of a ticket.

The police airing this footage is pretty bush league, IMHO.

That said, if he's guilty of all of these things, he should have some 'splainin to do with the OBA. Most likely, he'll get into a rehab program, walk the straight and narrow from here on out and all will be well.

As for the Asst. Public Defender, may God have mercy on his soul when he has his sit down with Robert Ravitz.

Says he proclaimed to be a deputy. What was he trying to do? That is different than flashing a badge and saying " I am financial supporter of the sheriffs dept" .

Of course, spitting on an officer is probably not the best way to get out of a ticket didn't help matters overall.

[jbrown84]

I don't know what the law is specifically on this kind of video, but it may be covered by the Open Records Act, leaving the police with no choice but to release it if it's requested.

Yeah, so why is it "bush-league"?

[OKCMallen]

Yeah, so why is it "bush-league"?

You don't see everyone else's DUI videos released and splattered all over the TV and internet.

[OKCTalker]

I know a guy who was stopped for suspicion of DUI. He shot off his mouth about being on a committee that supports police and public safety (although a true statement, it wasn't smart and didn't help). He was thrown off the committee shortly thereafter. So there's a little "justice" in the world. (Mallen - that wasn't a shot at you, but pun intended!)

[jbrown84]

You don't see everyone else's DUI videos released and splattered all over the TV and internet.

"The police" didn't broadcast it. Newsok did.

[OKCMallen]

I know a guy who was stopped for suspicion of DUI. He shot off his mouth about being on a committee that supports police and public safety (although a true statement, it wasn't smart and didn't help). He was thrown off the committee shortly thereafter. So there's a little "justice" in the world. (Mallen - that wasn't a shot at you, but pun intended!)

Sound slike he deserved it!!! I love when hubris meets karma.

[OKCMallen]

"The police" didn't broadcast it. Newsok did.

Still BS. You don't see anyone else's displayed for everyone...why are these guys different? Just sensational at the expense of these people's private lives...and asst. PDs are NOT politicians, they are normal state employees.

[Hollywood]

Still BS. You don't see anyone else's displayed for everyone...why are these guys different? Just sensational at the expense of these people's private lives...and asst. PDs are NOT politicians, they are normal state employees.

I don't know... ask the Oklahoman. I have yet to see a law enforcement agency just openly release something without being asked by the media first through the Open Records Act.

If for some reason the Oklahoman wanted to watch a video of a 19 year old idiot arrested for DUI, I am sure they would request it. Don't pin this on a P.D. who is just following the rules. Guess this is a damned if you do and damned if you don't thing though in some peoples eyes.

[Midtowner]

haha.. and the ever-investigative Oklahoman crime bureau uncovered this all on their lonesome? Yeah right.

[OKCTalker]

"The police" didn't broadcast it. Newsok did.

Detroit's mayor was forced out of office two weeks ago because the Detroit newspaper published text messages that led to 10 felony counts against him and his former chief of staff. I don't always agree with everything the "Fourth Estate" does, but a free press is a good thing.

[bornhere]

Still BS. You don't see anyone else's displayed for everyone...why are these guys different? Just sensational at the expense of these people's private lives...and asst. PDs are NOT politicians, they are normal state employees.

Other people don't threaten to bring the wrath of district judges down on arresting officers' heads.

Assistant PD's and private practice attorneys aren't politicians, but they are officers of the court, which is why Mike Gassaway, Grover Miskovsky and Dan Murdock make the news.

Somehow I have managed to live my entire life without getting picked up for DUI or drunkenly calling cops a**holes. That's worked pretty well for me.

[yukong]

Still BS. You don't see anyone else's displayed for everyone...why are these guys different? Just sensational at the expense of these people's private lives...and asst. PDs are NOT politicians, they are normal state employees.

These guys are different because they are "officers of the court" (a nice term for those of us that are licensed to practice law) and one of them specializes in "DUI" cases. The other is a "public defender". That is what makes them different from"Joe Six Pack" who gets stopped for DUI. Moon has made quite a living on representing people charged with DUI. He is one that "should know better" and should especially "know better" what to do if stopped by police. When he started invoking the names of "Judge Elliott" "Twila Mason Gray" and others staying they were going to get the cops; when he flashed a "supporter badge" and tried to pass himself off as a Sheriff's Deputy...well, he pretty much was begging for all of this to get in the press. I have no doubt that the cops told the media that there was video. Of course, anyone that works the crime beat at the Oklahoman or any of the TV stations knows that most all police agencies have booking room video systems and in car video systems. They know to ask. It is covered by the "Open Records Act". Face it...anytime a lawyer breaks the law...it is going to be big news. Just like when a judge or cop or politician breaks the law. From the smallest to the largest. Whenever you set yourself up to be different from Joe Sixpack, then you are going to be treated different from Joe Sixpack.

[kevinpate]

What yukong said. No one asks for Bubba Brickmason's drunken ranting video because folks assume the drunken rvings of the bluecollar are the norm for drunken bluecollars.

But for a DUI attorney running the car the wrong way at the drive in, and getting physical and mouthy in the aftermath, yeah, that's a tri-fecta. It's also why Murfock of the OBA made the paper and Bubba Brickmason did not. Whatever did or did not happen at Remington that eve, I'd be willing to bet there were more newsworthy events to run with, though perhaps not more newsational events at the time.

As for wrong-way, I've decided he wanted to lead by example. he can obtain this video and show it to teens and others ins eminars as a stellar example of what not to do.

Now, see there, right there, where I'm screaming my head off, notice how they do not really care that I am ticked off. please notice also the shiny bracelet locking me to the bar on the wall.

There's a lesson for you. When you are stopped, STHU and be respectful, and this kind of #@*($& may not happen to you ... you get it now?

[OKCMallen]

These guys are different because they are "officers of the court" (a nice term for those of us that are licensed to practice law) and one of them specializes in "DUI" cases. The other is a "public defender". That is what makes them different from"Joe Six Pack" who gets stopped for DUI. Moon has made quite a living on representing people charged with DUI. He is one that "should know better" and should especially "know better" what to do if stopped by police. When he started invoking the names of "Judge Elliott" "Twila Mason Gray" and others staying they were going to get the cops; when he flashed a "supporter badge" and tried to pass himself off as a Sheriff's Deputy...well, he pretty much was begging for all of this to get in the press. I have no doubt that the cops told the media that there was video. Of course, anyone that works the crime beat at the Oklahoman or any of the TV stations knows that most all police agencies have booking room video systems and in car video systems. They know to ask. It is covered by the "Open Records Act". Face it...anytime a lawyer breaks the law...it is going to be big news. Just like when a judge or cop or politician breaks the law. From the smallest to the largest. Whenever you set yourself up to be different from Joe Sixpack, then you are going to be treated different from Joe Sixpack.

Yeah, I'm familiar with the phrase as I am also a member of the Bar. My point is merely that these people have private lives. They are private citizens, not elected or appointed officials. And if you think non-attorneys don't drop names all the time when they're picked up drunk, I think you'd be sorely mistaken, but we don't see their DUI videos up for judgment, do we?

My point is that this video wasn't put up to show the public something they needed to see because they are officers of the court. We're not rooting out corruption here. These guys aren't elected officials. We have a video put up for public entertainment because a) people don't like attorneys and b) DUI videos are funny. This isn't an important function of the free press.

That being said, these guys are complete jerks and I hope the Bar has a little talk with them.

[amaesquire]

Yeah, I'm familiar with the term as I am also a member of the Bar.

Well said.

As a member of the Bar, I am aware that I am an officer of the Court, but I do not expect my private life to plastered (so to speak) all over the news. I'm pretty sure the other thousands of members of the Oklahoma Bar feel the same way - our private lives are just that: OUR PRIVATE LIVES.

With that said, DUI videos (not actual DUI's, but the videos of the arrestees) are funny. I would suggest we do something like JohnTV (where they put up pictures of men who solicit hookers), on one of those channels instead of cars and homes for sale, and just show drunk-tank footage. I would watch it every now and then I'm sure.

[Hollywood]

Well said.

As a member of the Bar, I am aware that I am an officer of the Court, but I do not expect my private life to plastered (so to speak) all over the news. I'm pretty sure the other thousands of members of the Oklahoma Bar feel the same way - our private lives are just that: OUR PRIVATE LIVES.

Would you still feel this way if it was an off-duty police officer who had been arrested for DUI?

[Midtowner]

Would you still feel this way if it was an off-duty police officer who had been arrested for DUI?

I'm pretty sure the media would never have heard about the arrest had it been an off duty police officer -- in the rare event that professional courtesy was not extended.

[OKCMallen]

Would you still feel this way if it was an off-duty police officer who had been arrested for DUI?

I would. Cops are "always" cops even when off-duty, I suppose, but it's not like I expect them to be perfect citizens 100% of the time.

[yukong]

I'm pretty sure the media would never have heard about the arrest had it been an off duty police officer -- in the rare event that professional courtesy was not extended.

Well now...surely you haven't forgotten that over the past several months there have been repeated news stories of off duty cops getting busted for DUI. Now granted, they were cops from one town getting busted in another town, but still there were stories in the paper and on the TV news shows.

If you watch the video closely, you see the cop trying to tell Moon that he was being taped. He kept pointing to the camera, and Moon just kept on blathering about judge this, and county that, etc. I have no problem with what happened. I know as a lawyer, especially one that is subject to constant media contact because of what I do, that should I get busted for anything, it will be in the news. I have no problem with that situation either. I just don't get drunk and make an ass out of myself. Pretty easy. But if I did, I believe I would deserve whatever fallout might occur. That is the price I pay for being who I am, and doing what I do. Moon is no different.

An as far as the comment from the other poster saying "I do not expect my private life to plastered (so to speak) all over the news", I say...you do something that stupid, in public...it is no longer your "private life." It becomes a public situation, and you get public attention.

[bornhere]

I've known a couple of cops here in OKC whose careers were ended by DUI arrests. I won't mention names since it's been years ago and they've moved on with their lives, but if you stop and think about it I bet you'll recall them. Their arrests were in the papers.

Again, if you don't want to be embarrassed by a DUI arrest, the easiest way to avoid it is to not drive drunk. I know it's a hell of an imposition, but it works.

[OKCMallen]

An as far as the comment from the other poster saying "I do not expect my private life to plastered (so to speak) all over the news", I say...you do something that stupid, in public...it is no longer your "private life." It becomes a public situation, and you get public attention.

What happens in the back room of a police station should, indeed, be private in some of our opinions. You do that out on the street, that's one thing. The purpose of that camera is NOT public humiliation. It's there as much for the protection of the arrested individuals as much as it is the protection of the cops.

[amaesquire]

What happens in the back room of a police station should, indeed, be private in some of our opinions. You do that out on the street, that's one thing. The purpose of that camera is NOT public humiliation. It's there as much for the protection of the arrested individuals as much as it is the protection of the cops.

I will, once again, concur.

Before anybody actually takes me seriously in my previous post about having a channel dedicated to drunk-tank footage, I must admit that I DO NOT actually want that. I was being facetious.

However, this conversation has taken a turn, and people will probably soon be ranting about how I want my life to be private, but I would be okay with a channel dedicated to drunk-tank footage and how I'm a hypocrite and blah blah blah.

Hopefully it will all end with someone blaming me for the Bricktown Parking problem or associate me with Tom Elmore and his railroad conspiracy.

[OKCMallen]

I will, once again, concur.

Before anybody actually takes me seriously in my previous post about having a channel dedicated to drunk-tank footage, I must admit that I DO NOT actually want that. I was being facetious.

However, this conversation has taken a turn, and people will probably soon be ranting about how I want my life to be private, but I would be okay with a channel dedicated to drunk-tank footage and how I'm a hypocrite and blah blah blah.

Hopefully it will all end with someone blaming me for the Bricktown Parking problem or associate me with Tom Elmore and his railroad conspiracy.

I AM sick of your parking BS.

I can see both sides of this issue and I can see how reasonable people may differ on this one.