Opinion ID: 1971393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Willie Alexander

Text: Respondent was retained counsel for Willie Alexander who faced charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving. At respondent's request, a trial date of November 6, 1980, was set. On that date, before Judge Tim Murphy, the case was called. Present were the prosecutor, the government witnesses and the defendant; respondent never appeared. After approximately an hour delay, the case was continued to the following day. During the afternoon of November 6, respondent was passed in the courthouse by Judge Murphy's clerk who advised him that a case in which he was involved had been continued to the following day due to his failure to appear. The clerk was unable to remember the name of the case. Respondent did not check in with the court. The next day, November 7, the case again was called; all parties previously present again were present; respondent never appeared. The court continued the case. Later that afternoon, respondent finally appeared before the court. His explanations for his absence were refused, a complaint regarding his conduct having already been directed by the court to the Office of Bar Counsel. [2]