The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-21
LET LAWYER GO ON BAIL BOND.
MAGIsTRaTE STETNERT ACCUSED
or IGNORING THE LAW.
Permitted Alfred Epstein TO Qualify as
surety for In Automobile Driver De
spite the Lawyers Declaration q
He Was Forbidden to Bc q Bendsman.

CITY Magistrate Henry SteinerJ - anotneT
Of the police court Justices who will proba-
NV be called upon to answer before the
Appellate Division to charges OF violation
Of the law. He IN accused Of accepting an
attorney as bondsman in a case which
came before the Magistrate. The attorney
in the case says that the Magistrate urged
him TO go on the bond after the attorney
had told him that it was illegal because he
was a member Of the bar.
The attorney concerned in Alfred Epstein
Of Epstein Bros, $40 Broadway. Tho
bond which Mr.. Epstein signed was taken
by Magistrate Steinert in the West Side police
court on November II, in the case OF Rene
y Collin, a chauffeur arrested for not display
ma his badge. The bond is now on HE
With the clerk Of Special Sessions. The
csse was disposed Of by the Court OF Special
6eesions on Monday.
Mr.. Epstein did, mot sign the bond as an
attorney, but as a dealer in automobiles
and fixtures at 1891 Broadway. That is
the address OF the Aster Company, a con-
ceru the chief business OF which Ii selling
tires for automobiles. Mr.. Epstein is
treasurer and practically business manager
OF the oonoern
Collin wa arrested shortly after noon On
wednesday last on Broadway near Forty
seventh street by Roundsman f. c. Casey.
attached to Police Headquarters. Casey
was out In a department automobile looking
for speed violators. Collin Ia the driver for
q broker named Laimbeer and as he came
down Broadway Casey noticed that Collin
WA not displaying his badge as required
by law. He ~thereupon arrested him.
Collin, who Is only 20 years old, asked to
be permitted to communicate with Mr..
SIaimbeer. Casey allowed him TO do 30
and they went into the Aster Company's
store and Collin called up his employer.
N Mr.. Epstein had come uptown from his
law ofioe and was in the place. Mr.. Lain
beer asked Collin where he was and on
learning that Mr.. Epstein was in the place
and knowing Mr.. Epstein asked the latter to
70 TO court with Collin and the policeman.
When Collin was arraigned before Magis-
arate Steinert Mr.. Epstein and the Magis-
trate greeted each other cordially. Mr..
.Espstein says the Magistrate called him by
his first name because they were school
n mates and friends Of long standing. Rounds
man Casey explained the case and Mr..
y Epstein said that Collin had a badge but it
4 was ON a coat that was in possession OF a
n Mr.. Morgenthau, who formerly employed
Collin.
Collin produced in court a letter from
the Secretary Of States Office showing
that be had made application for a badge,
and that one was being made for him.
Magistrate Steinest gave MIR. Epstein an
hour 10 see Mr.. Morganthau and get the
badge. Mr.. Morganthsu could not find it
and Mr.. Epstein so reported to Magistrate
Steiner. n The Magistrate then said that
he would nave to hold Collin under bail Of
4 500 TO answer before the Court OF Special
Sessions.
Bondsmen have been scarce around the
West Side court Of late, largely through
Magistrate Steinert's own efforts to get
rid OF them, and Mr.. Epstein knew no one
near who could qualify. He says he had
already given much time to the case to
big Mr.. Laimbeer. and was working
without a fee. He declares that Magistrate
Steinert then said to hin
why don't you go on his bond?"
Il can't do that" Mr.. Epstein says he
/. ksid, because | am counsel in the case,
and a lawyer is not permitted to go on
you are in the automobile business,
aren't you Epstein says the Magistrate
asked. Epstein said he was, and he de-
lsres hat the Magistrate said;
We'll, sign the bond as an automobile
man
Epstein says that he was finally persuaded
~ sign the bono after he and the Magistrate
held a conference in the Magistrate private
\ rom and after the Magistrate said that he
would see that it was all right. Rounds
man Casey also heard Epstein call the Mag
lskrate's attention to h fact that he was a
lAwyer and could not sign the bond.
The bond describes Mr.. Epstein as a
deeler in automobiles and pledges house
hoh effects and stock in the Aster Company,
1bol Broadway in the sum Of 500 TO pro-
duoe Collin for trial. The case came up
ON Monday last. Collin pleaded guilty and
usnkence was suspended, the Endorsement
bang 50 marked by Justice Zeller, who was
presiding.
es1tpmobile place yesterday afternoon and
when he asked the latter If he did not appear
: counsel for Collin before Magistrate
Gsuinert, Mr.. Epstein said he did at the re-
quest Of Mr.. Laimbeer.
How was IL that you signed his bail
4 bond7T the reporter asked.
Il didn't sign the bond" said Mr.. Ep-
when told that the bond on file with the
clerk OF Special Sessions bore his name and
3nddress, he qualified his statement and said
be did not sign IL as a lawyer.
You see II was this way said Mr.. Ep-
3utexn. Magistrate Steinert and ] are old
Sohpolmates m friends. He was very
ourry for this boy Collin and out of the kind
.nsss OF his heart did not want him locked up
MMXX n NANaA AOH wv VI " LIN -
bondsman. He then suggested that l go
3on the bond and l distinctly told him l
could not do 30. He then asked me IL l
WA not in the automobile business at pres
|<nt and I said l was. Then he said il
would be all right and / signed the paper.
know no lawyer can go on q bond in
4pivn cases. but ] am not so sure about
criminal cases. not having looked the law
M. At any rate when the Magistrate said
Att would be all right and called me by my
N iIfnt name ! thought he knew what he was
tAiking about and although I had my mis-
x{v3ngs i signed the bond"
Magistrate StelnArt was seen at his house.
35s Lexington avenue. last night. He pro-
feaeed to be much surprised to learn that
Epstein was a lawyer and said:
why. / did not know he was a lawyer.
i thought he was connected with some
nutornobile concern"
When he was reminded Of the fact that
Xpstsin had appeared as oounse. and hat
Epstein had said hat he called the MaRis-
VI tfnte's attention 10 the fact that he could
not sign the ond because he was a membe
'of the bar. Magistrate Steincrt said ne
<bnld not recall any such conversation.
why, II | had known he was a lawyer "
44{hA Magistrate added. Il might have re-
based the prisoner in Epstein's custody
'i<a an Officer Of the court"
The law II very explicit in the case. lie
of the general rules OF practice adopted
&V the Appellate Division pursuant TO Soc
- - ~ h. ILOIa 81 IAaHNL