Crime

Just Another ‘Lawyer Bites Cop’ Story

Lawyer might have bit off more than he could chew....

Chattering TeethSometimes it just gets tiresome reporting the same story over and over. “Law school raises tuition”? Yawn. “Cravath sets the bonus market”? BOR-ING! “Lawyer bites a cop”? Well, here we go again

A Lincoln Park lawyer appeared in bond court Saturday after he was arrested Friday and charged with attacking a police officer after allegedly stealing car keys.

Raymond Prather, 35 of the 1800 block of North Halsted Street, was held in lieu of $50,000 for aggravated battery of a police officer, theft of an item $500 or under, and resisting arrest.

Ray Prather is a partner at Prather Ebner and has graced our pages before in a 2011 profile of his then-new firm.

His current legal situation is a much less glowing read, but these are just allegations and — not to be conspiratorial — it’s not like law enforcement hasn’t established a tendency to overexaggerate any physical danger they really experience (often with tragic results).

But with that grain of salt out of the way, what do the police say happened?

According to court records, Prather stole a set of keys from a 21-year-old man and when police tried to arrest him, he lowered his shoulder and struck the officer in an attempt to escape.

The officer defended himself and attempted to subdue and handcuff Prather, according to court officials. But Prather then struck the officer in the groin and bit his left elbow, according to court documents. The officer defended himself again and with the help of another officer, detained Prather and took him into custody, according to court documents.

Oh, Ray. That’s not how “take a bite out of crime” works!

Police: Lawyer bit cop, resisted arrest [Chicago Tribune]

Earlier: Size Matters: Meet Two Happy Partners In Law And In Life


Joe Patrice is an editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news.