Lawyer accused of way-too-firm handshake
Court Alerts
A lawyer who allegedly shook a legal opponent's hand so fiercely she injured her shoulder is now facing physical assault charges in Florida.
An attorney for private lawyer Brewer Rentas said her client never intended to harm a federal prosecutor in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when they shook hands last week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
"It all stems from a handshake," attorney Gwendolyn Tuggle said. "In her mind she never intended to cause any harm to any federal official."
The 49-year-old Rentas had been in court Thursday as part of her husband's trial on cocaine distribution charges and the attorney reportedly made a point of shaking hands with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keene after the court's ruling.
Rentas' arrest report states she then allegedly grabbed Keene's hand, knocking her off balance, and then roughly shook her arm up and down.
The Sun-Sentinel said Rentas is now facing a federal misdemeanor charge over the incident and will likely face an attorney conduct review, as well.
Related listings
-
Illinois Court Upholds Free-Speech Right For Ad
Court Alerts 02/08/2008A newspaper advertisement harshly criticizing a competitor for a discount sale might have been distasteful and juvenile but also was constitutionally protected free speech, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday.Chicago men’s clothing store Imperi...
-
Disorder in the Court: Lawyer Punched
Court Alerts 02/07/2008[##_1L|1147570715.jpg|width="130" height="97" alt=""|_##]A public defender who was punched in court by a disgruntled client said Thursday he doesn't blame the man who gave him with two black eyes. The disorder in the court, captured on video, happene...
-
Georgia loses major ruling on rights to Lanier water
Court Alerts 02/06/2008It would take an act of Congress to get more drinking water out of Lake Lanier for metro Atlanta, a federal appellate court ruled Tuesday.Alabama and Florida immediately declared a major victory in the 18-year, tri-state water war, with Alabama Gov. ...
Grounds for Divorce in Ohio - Sylkatis Law, LLC
A divorce in Ohio is filed when there is typically “fault” by one of the parties and party not at “fault” seeks to end the marriage. A court in Ohio may grant a divorce for the following reasons:
• Willful absence of the adverse party for one year
• Adultery
• Extreme cruelty
• Fraudulent contract
• Any gross neglect of duty
• Habitual drunkenness
• Imprisonment in a correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint
• Procurement of a divorce outside this state by the other party
Additionally, there are two “no-fault” basis for which a court may grant a divorce:
• When the parties have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation
• Incompatibility, unless denied by either party
However, whether or not the the court grants the divorce for “fault” or not, in Ohio the party not at “fault” will not get a bigger slice of the marital property.