Destin attorney suspended after arrests
2010-06-16 21:27:12
Destin attorney R. Scott Whitehead has been suspended by the Florida Bar Association.
The Florida Supreme Court on June 9 suspended Whitehead from practicing law indefinitely following arrests for driving under the influence and violation of probation. Whitehead cannot accept any new clients, and he has 30 days to cease representing his clients and close his office.
Read the state Supreme Court's petition to suspend Whitehead
“We’re trying to do the best we can to protect the clients’ interests and the clients’ legal rights,” said Olivia Klein, bar counsel representing the First Judicial District for the Florida Bar Association, which filed the petition against Whitehead. “That’s our primary concern.”
In addition to shutting down his office, Whitehead must also shut down his website and furnish a copy of his suspension order to all of his current clients, judges and opposing counsels in cases he was working on. As of Wednesday, his website was still active.
Whitehead’s suspension stems not only from his recent arrest but from more than a dozen complaints of negligence that have been filed against him by his clients.
Klein said she will file a formal complaint against Whitehead in the next 60 days and that he could be permanently disbarred in Florida.
Whitehead was arrested twice in an eight-day period last May. The first arrest followed his leaving the scene of an accident, authorities said, and the second was for speeding, driving with a suspended license and DUI.
He violated his probation on those charges when he was arrested for criminal mischief in August.
Whitehead was sentenced to 60 days in jail for driving under the influence after the state had sought a year.
Whitehead was arrested again last month on a violation of probation charge after he entered the home of man who didn’t know him and inquired about a woman named “Becky” or “Barbara.” When located across the street, at a home occupied by a woman named Becky, Whitehead appeared intoxicated, a deputy said in his report. While talking to the officer, Whitehead urinated on himself, the report said.
His sentencing hearing on the latest probation violation charge is scheduled for today.
READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE
Destin attorney Whitehead jailed again
Destin attorney sentenced to 60 days for DUIs
Destin attorney Whitehead back in the news for golf cart mischief
Defense attorney charged with DUI »
Destin attorney arrested again »
Attorney guilty of one DUI, other charge reduced »
Whitehead attorney: DUI story "false" »
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