High-Profile Lawyer Charged With Punching Client In Court

What happens when you allegedly begin to act like your clients and commit a crime -- in court, no less?

When you’re a prominent criminal defense attorney and your list of clientele includes the likes of mob hit men like Frank Calabrese Sr. and murderers like Drew Peterson, you get used to running with a rough crowd. You may even earn yourself a ridiculous nickname for representing such notorious characters, like “The Shark.” But what happens when you allegedly begin to act like your clients and commit a crime — in court, no less?

You get charged, just like your clients.

Earlier this month, attorney Joseph “The Shark” Lopez was involved in an altercation with one of his clients in a holding cell inside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Sun-Times has wittily referred to the incident as a “Shark attack.” A law enforcement source said Lopez punched his client. Lopez confirmed that he did indeed get into a fight of some sort with his client, but refused to get into the details, saying that “[w]hatever occurred was in self defense. When someone grabs at you, you have to act. I didn’t do it for no reason.” The Sun-Times has some additional quotes from Lopez:

Lopez stressed he didn’t want to give more problems to his now former client, who is facing weapon and violation of probation charges.

“We’re dealing with people who are very frustrated with the court system,” Lopez said.

“Sometimes they get frustrated with their lawyers and things happen. . . . We had a dispute. That’s it.”

It’s almost a month later, and now Lopez has been charged with one count of simple battery — a misdemeanor — for his actions that took place during the altercation.

Lopez, who has made appearances on NBC’s “Chicago P.D.,” seems like he has a good head on his shoulders and is just looking out for his clients’ well-being. He even wished his former client well, saying, “He deserves a good defense. I wish him good luck.” Is this an attempt by local law enforcement to put a well-known defense attorney in his place?

Regardless of what the underlying motives for the Lopez’s criminal charges may be, now there’s blood in the water, and we have full faith that The Shark will be able to bite back.

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Source: High-profile attorney allegedly punched inmate [Chicago Sun-Times]
Attorney Joseph “The Shark” Lopez charged with hitting client [Chicago Sun-Times]
Chicago lawyer is charged with battery in courthouse altercation with client [ABA Journal]

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