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Joseph P. Williams (WSBA No. 34236, admitted 2003), of Darrington, was suspended for one year to be followed by two years’ probation, effective July 17, 2008, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following approval of a stipulation. This discipline was based on conduct involving engaging in criminal behavior and violating court orders. Joseph P. Williams is to be distinguished from Joseph S. Williams Jr. of Santa Ana, California.
In October 2004, Mr. Williams was arrested by the Seattle police. At the time of his arrest, Mr. Williams possessed cocaine. Mr. Williams was charged in King County Superior Court with possessing cocaine, a class C felony, and released on personal recognizance. He declined to participate in Drug Diversion Court. Mr. Williams signed an order setting his case scheduling hearing for March 23, 2005. He failed to appear for his case scheduling hearing, and a bench warrant was issued. On March 24, 2005, Mr. Williams appeared in court, and the warrant was quashed. Mr. Williams signed an order setting his omnibus hearing for May 6, 2005. He failed to appear for his omnibus hearing, and a bench warrant was issued. Mr. Williams went to work in Alaska for the summer. In October 2005, Mr. Williams was arrested by the Seattle police and charged in King County Superior Court with robbery in the second degree, a class B felony. In December 2005, Mr. Williams was charged with bail jumping, a class C felony, for failing to appear at his May 2005 omnibus hearing. Mr. Williams signed an order setting his omnibus hearing for January 20, 2006. He failed to appear for his January 20, 2006, omnibus hearing, and a bench warrant was issued. On January 30, 2006, Mr. Williams appeared in court and the warrant was quashed.
In February 2006, Mr. Williams pleaded guilty to assault in the fourth degree, a gross misdemeanor, and to patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor. In May 2006, Mr. Williams pleaded guilty to attempted possession of cocaine, a gross misdemeanor, and to attempted bail jumping, also a gross misdemeanor.
Mr. Williams conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; RPC 8.4(d), prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; RPC 8.4(i), prohibiting a lawyer from committing any act involving moral turpitude, or corruption, or any unjustified act of assault or other act which reflects disregard for the rule of the law; and RPC 8.4(j), prohibiting a lawyer from willfully disobeying or violating a court order directing him or her to do or cease doing an act which he or she ought in good faith to do or forbear.
Scott G. Busby represented the Bar Association. Peter G. Cogan represented Mr. Williams. |